Standard vs an Automatic

My trip to Valencia, Spain, was excellent. I was able to connect with Shyla in ways we haven't connected in a while, like making faces or spouting one-liners and laughing at each other until our sides hurt. We enjoyed visiting the city of Valencia and the countryside of Riba Roja all in one day. We got lost in the little streets of Godella and Betera, navigated around 100 (no exaggeration) roundabouts, parked on curbs and sidewalks because that's how people park, and traveled down the not so traveled "road" between the Mediterranean Sea and the highway until it deadened because Google Maps said it was a road.

I drove. I drove that speedy standard until I had a kink in my neck, and my clutch foot hurt. I ground the gears, jerked to start, and vroomed the engine to drive the car off curbs.

When I returned home, I hopped in my automatic to take Aubree to school and kept reaching for the shifter even though it was already in drive. I had to reprogram my tired, jetlagged brain to use an automatic car again. As I reached for the shifter involuntarily, I recognized the difference between the two cars could easily represent my faith journey.

When I automatically go to Jesus first thing in the morning, bathe in his love, and get my love tank filled, my drive throughout my day is easy because I only have one gear to shift into. But, when I don't spend time with God, I drive through my day in my own power. I grind my gears, trying to go, to do, to forcibly make things work. I may achieve the same things I would have in the automatic, but the drive would have been much more challenging, and I would ultimately end up with a kink in my neck and a sore foot.

Matthew 11:28–30 The Message version

28–30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Jesus extends this simple daily invitation to us to come to him and spend time with him. He doesn't want us to be all worn out, grumpy, with kinks in our necks and hearts.