A MOMENT WITH OUR MINISTER

Rev. John Moore

June 2004

A Moment With Our Minister

"THE PROBLEM IS FIXED"

The fourteen year old Buick Riviera I drive had a problem. It was not mechanical. The problem was esthetic - looks.

Part of the accessory package on this Riviera was the ability of the trunk deck to close with a minimum of pressure. In other words, when items were placed in the trunk and you wanted the trunk lid to close, all one had to do was press lightly on the trunk lid and it would close.

The mechanism which enabled this to happen was not working, which meant the trunk lid stayed partly open even though it was locked. There was a gap making it appear the trunk lid as open.

As I approached my car, people would remind me that the trunk was not closed. My response was a Thank You, but it is locked. One man told me that if he had that kind of problem, it would "drive me nuts".

I called the Buick dealership parts department. The price of the part was $297.24. "And I have one in stock. I could knock off $40.00." Labor to install the part, $60.00. Total: $307.24. PLUS 6% sales tax on the part. For me, quite an (unnecessary) investment.

Plan B. I spoke to one of our members about the problem. He told me that his brother worked at another dealership in the service department. "He will treat you right. He won't take advantage of you." Good enough.

That was where I went. I was told that this part could be by-passed. And guess what? The problem was repaired. The bill was a little over $30.00. And the trunk deck shuts, properly, and lines up with the rest of the body. All I have to do is put more pressure on the trunk lid. Not a problem.

The moral of this story? Only ONE person has said anything to me about how nice it is that my trunk lid shuts properly. Not even the person who would have been "driven nuts" with this kind of problem.

Isn't it interesting? Have a problem or something is not normal and EVERYONE speaks to you about the problem. Get it fixed and no one commends you or notices that you have repaired the problem or gotten your life back together.

You mean Christians are like that? Even Church people? Well, I wish I could say that things were not that way. But, sad to say, we Christians are too often like that. And, too bad, it even happens that way in the Church (at large).

But, you and I can do something. That's right. We can make ourselves a committee of one to be different. Would you like to join me in this kind of Christian practice? Let's shake hands on that proposition. And welcome!

your friend and Pastor, John

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