Most vehicles are equipped with a spare tire. Depending on the model you drive it could be in the trunk, slung under the frame, or mounted on a bracket at the rear of the vehicle. I bet most of us don't even think about the spare or check its tire pressure on a regular basis. It is there for an emergency and we hope we don't have to use it.
I was listening to a man's testimony at our church and that was how he described his relationship with God. He said God was his spare tire. Quite a statement when you think about it, but he might be describing a lot of us. He said that he was running his own life, doing his own thing, and quite well at that. He had a lot of success and was confident of his ability to handle things. He had a good track record. He had success in school and college, great job, financial security, a beautiful wife, friends, and material things. What did he need God for unless there was an emergency? Was he thankful and grateful for the way God blessed him. No, he figured his hard work and abilities were the reasons for his success. God was not a factor.
It was only when his life started to unravel that he realized God was a factor. His father was declared brain dead and was hooked up to life support against his wishes. His wife miscarried five months into her pregnancy. He experienced a series of financial setbacks that depleted is nest egg. He started having trouble on his job. Strange how a God that never got any credit now gets all the blame. He was angry, resentful, bitter. He wanted to know what God was doing to him.
He had to admit that God was changing him and if the change was meant to break him, it was starting to work. Some friends invited him back to church which he had neglected attending for a long time. God's word started to soften his heart and his attitude. His thinking started to come around and his life started to change for the better. He realized that God is not a spare tire to be used only in an emergency. He is the driving force in our life if we unleash Him from the trunk and gave him love and prominence. He will steer our lives in the right direction. God finally got him where he needed to be.
Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
Isaiah 58:11 “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”