BE A LUG NUT

BE A LUG NUT

"Be a lug nut!" That doesn't sound first-class, right?  Or, is there cause to think again!  Dictionaries define a lug nut as a large nut fitting on a heavy bolt, used especially in attaching a wheel to a motor vehicle. That sounds rational, guaranteeing movement!

From semi-trucks to golf carts, no vehicle moves forward without using lug nuts to keep the wheels securely in place. Christians are on the move, fulfilling God's Will and knowing His Word, sometimes fast, sometimes slow as we learn the rules of the road. Our intentions behind-the-wheel go nowhere without a clear vision. We move faithfully forward into our Great Commission and assigned vocation, using well maintained vehicles (know your ministry) that are colored with thoughts, words and deeds.  

We need trusty lug nuts (faithfulness) to hold the wheels in place, allowing drivers to advance, otherwise we go nowhere. We need uncompromised wheels (freewill), using uncompromising hearts and minds, moving forward in the middle of the broken world. We need gasoline (obedience, words and actions).

We follow the Holy Spirit as prophets, evangelists, teachers, administrators, or preachers on the straight and narrow path, serving the Body of Christ in community as the Communion of Saints, as the Church Militant, commissioned to go forth into the whole world to speak of Jesus (Mark 16: 15).

Our personalities show up in the style of design of our vehicle (ministry), including the model and year (Old and New Testament).  As the wheels (freewill) go around and around, so moves the vehicle according to the driver's (Christian) choices, personality, age or destination, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment. We are drivers in our days and nights, in front of and alongside all others that are Heaven bound. As individuals, we need and affect all others on a shared course of action (Absolute Truth).

"Ye shall not go out with haste, nor by flight: for the LORD will go before you" (Isaiah 52: 12). We need His Promises when we take our vehicle (ministry) on the road. We can do nothing without Him (John 15: 5).

A wheel (freewill) that is securely attached with lug nuts (Faithfulness, Truth, Love and Reason) guarantees that drivers can be confident and secure. With tie rods (Sacred Scripture) attached, the wheels (freewill) go anywhere on any road, according to the driver 's (Christian) clear directions. All ministries succeed by following the Word of God, written or inspired.

As drivers (Christians), we utilize all of the vehicle's parts (Holy Spirit Gifts). We follow the road signs in the order of obedience, stirring the front wheels (freewill) with enough gasoline (Holy Spirit Fruits) in the tank for the distance to go. We follow a worthy roadmap (Absolute Truth). The Holy Spirit determines the speed limit.

With the necessary lug nuts, tie rods, wheels, and gasoline, we are faithful within the boundaries of God's Will, always going forward. Let us be bright, shiny-gold lug nuts, obedient in our journey through time. "Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come" (Revelation 4: 8), unchanging, and always available (the One Way, Truth and Life) on the narrow pathways, heading into Eternity. Alleluia.
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For clarity: 
wheel/freewill;  tie rods/Sacred Scripture; year and model/ Sacred Tradition;  lug nuts/faithfulness; vehicle/ministry; drivers/Christians; parts/Holy Spirit Gifts; map, road,  pathway/Absolute Truth; gas and destination/Holy Spirit Fruits (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, long-suffering, humility, fidelity, modesty, continence, chastity; words and actions)

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