HEART OF DISCERNMENT

Ephesians 5:15-16- "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

I climbed into my vehicle several weeks ago and started it up, only to see that dreaded bright red CHECK ENGINE symbol flash across the dashboard. No matter what walk of life you've come from or what type of vehicle you've driven, the CHECK ENGINE symbol is no respecter of person. Let's all be honest: no one looks forward to this situation for multiple reasons. It becomes a major obligation to find time in our busy schedules to have our vehicles serviced. Secondly, we've all had that sinking feeling of the potential costs associated with any repair, so we just continue driving hoping the signal will miraculously disappear. Finally, the CHECK ENGINE symbol creates the fear that additional problems may be uncovered during a thorough diagnostic. Many people are emotionally attached to their vehicles; the mere inconvenience of extended servicing can create a state of separation anxiety.

The general purpose of any CHECK ENGINE symbol is to alert us that something is out of alignment within the framework of the vehicle. A flashing CHECK ENGINE symbol is even more crucial in that it indicates imminent vehicle failure if not addressed in an urgent manner. These warnings are designed to protect the integrity of your vehicle and your overall safety. Have you paid attention to the condition of your spiritual health recently? Much like any complex machine such as a vehicle, our spiritual being is comprised of the intricacy of our mind, will, and emotions. At any given moment, the components of our spiritual lives are subject to failure and require extensive maintenance. Through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, God has provided the gift of the Holy Spirit to operate as our spiritual CHECK ENGINE light to warn us that we are misaligned from His purpose. It now becomes a matter of determining if we will actually take the appropriate measures to heed the warning.

There have been seasons in my life where I was blanketed by an unusual spirit of heaviness, but I would elect to ignore the symptoms and keep trying to press on. The Holy Spirit was trying to reveal to me that my spiritual engine was corroded with pockets of unforgiveness and idolatry, which was causing great damage and hindering the flow of righteousness in my life. Once I decided to actually stop and submit my life completely to the will of the Lord, the Holy Spirit could then start the actual repair process. Imagine trying to navigate in this life without the proper warning signals. We must understand that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is not to inconvenience us but to prepare us for the threshold of eternal life with Jesus Christ. Let us thank God and rejoice that we've been granted another opportunity to surrender our lives to His perfect will!