Flat

Ok I admit it was nobody’s fault but mine.
I left her out in the cold all winter and then it was like she wouldn’t talk to me.
My beautiful motorbike lay neglected in the garage for months and after a while the battery just sank below recovery.  I tried a regular battery charger but to no avail.  I would try the ignition - zero kick.  We were going nowhere!
She needed a new heart and more, a constant source of replenishing power to live again.
It cost me, but one new battery later we’re back in business, cruising down the lane and disturbing the neighbours with that throaty rumble the old girl is so good at. 
But I’ve learned my lesson.  No more neglect!  Along with the battery I bought a smart charger which stays connected, switching itself on periodically to check and if necessary top up the charge.  So we’re good to go anytime.
Some people turn to God in particular circumstances and trust Him for help and a new heart and find in Jesus genuine renewal, wonderful stuff like comfort, peace, hope, joy.  He even pays the bill for us.  But people don’t maintain this ‘new battery’ by reading the Bible and praying daily so in time their faith gets run-down.  As someone once said, ‘Seven days without prayer makes one ‘weak’.’
The Israelites took things for granted after a while in the Promised Land and slid into idolatry.  Even godly King David got complacent once when everything was going well and fell into adultery and murder! 
My bike has a new life but I need to keep returning to base and reconnecting her to the power so our relationship doesn’t get cold and unresponsive again.
People of faith have been renewed, ‘born again/from above’ through the Holy Spirit (John 3), but we still need to pray for our bread and the help we need daily.
Jesus taught His disciples that we need to ‘abide in Him’ constantly. (John 15)
That way we can keep cruising fruitfully, and indefinitely!



Biking/travel enthusiasts might enjoy the series 'The World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides'.  In the short clip below, affable presenter Henry Cole shows us what he has back home in his shed...