Led by the Spirit
2/26/2025
Written by: Frieda Dowler
“Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5: 16-17 NLT.
A Short Story Illustration:
“This junk car I’m driving has become a blessing.”
“I would think it’s been a curse and not a blessing.”
“Yeah, you would think. But ever since I heard the pastor give a message about the opportunity God gives us in our circumstances, I’ve changed my mind.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Well, he said when you follow God’s ways to the best of your ability, every circumstance in your life has a purpose.”
“I don’t see how that’s possible. That rust bucket has spent a lot of time in mechanic and body shops. How is that good and what’s the purpose in that?”
“When I changed the way I looked at things it made sense. I used to think like you, too. But the pastor told us if we look for God then we will see him.”
“So, what? Was he in your back seat?
“No, silly. I found him in the middle of my circumstances. I started asking him to show up and show me how to look at my car in a different way.”
“So, did he?”
“Yep, just like the pastor said. The first time was when my fuel pump went out.”
“So then you prayed and you didn’t need a fuel pump?”
“No, I needed the fuel pump. It’s like the heart of your car. It pumps the go-juice. At least that’s what the mechanic said.”
“Pumps the go-juice?”
“Yeah. My car just quit running. I was on my way home from work and it quit running…right in front of a mechanic shop. So I walked over and talked to this guy about fixing it.”
“And did he?”
“Sure. He knew how. But as I was walking over to his shop, I asked God to show me how this part of my journey had a purpose.”
“Did he answer you?”
“Yeah, but not like I thought he would. I thought I would get a miracle and maybe it wouldn’t cost me anything. But it did.”
“What’s good about that?”
“Well, here’s what happened. When I walked into the mechanic shop, I could tell he was a troubled man. At first I wasn’t sure I could trust him, but I was committed to trusting God in my circumstances. Turned out he was an ace mechanic…and his price was fair.”
“So, end of story?”
“Not quite. I haven’t gotten to the good part yet. When I picked up my car, I thanked him. That’s when he said the fuel pump was like the heart of a car. Then a thought came to me and I decided to be bold and say it out loud. I said, ‘Just like you fixed the heart of my car, God can fix your heart.’”
“No, way! You said that? Was it awkward?”
“Yeah, for about a split second. Then I saw a tear roll down his cheek. He turned away and fiddled with my bill. Then he turned back around and smiled. He said thanks and handed me my keys and his business card.”
“Then what happened?”
“The next time my car needed something I called him. I had to have it towed to his place. That cost a little extra, but I got a raise the next week at work so in four weeks I had it covered. Then I got to enjoy the raise.”
“What did it need this time, a liver?”
“How’d you guess? The mechanic said it was sort of like a liver. Turns out there was gunk in my oil filter. Oil makes the engine run smoothly but when it gets gunked up the engine won’t run like it should.”
“This guy sounds like the car doctor.”
That’s funny, cause that’s the name of his shop. The Car Doctor.”
“Did you get a miracle this time? Like he didn’t charge you or you miraculously didn’t need an oil filter or whatever he did?
“No. The way you’re thinking takes us out of our circumstances with a miracle. Sort of like we’re rescued. But he uses our circumstances, not eliminates them. He uses our circumstances to create a miracle.”
“What? You’re talking in riddles.”
“This time when I paid the bill, which once again, the raise covered in two weeks plus a week for the tow, he said, ‘The filter is like our liver. And the filter takes care of all the junk so our engine can run properly.” I had another thought and said it out loud again. I said, “God’s word, the Bible is our life filter. It helps filter out all the junk so we can live properly.”
“Man! He must think you’re a kook.”
“It didn’t matter to me what he thought. I figured he was getting what he wanted. He was making a living by fixing my car. So, why shouldn’t God get what he wanted, someone to tell him that God could make a difference in his life.
“So what happened?”
“I invited him to church.”
“Did he come?”
“Not at first. But after two more times to his shop for him to fix my car, he finally agreed to come. He was baptized last week after coming for a while and he gave his testimony in front of everyone.”
“What was his testimony?”
“Seems like he felt wronged by everybody. He lost a child at age five in a car wreck. Five years later his wife left him because she couldn’t handle the death of their child. I guess she went a little crazy cause she was driving the day of the wreck. He decided to fill up his time with work. So he and a partner opened The Car Doctor. Four years into it, his partner stole all the money and left town. He lost his house, his car, and most of his stuff. He had to move into an apartment. He was getting pretty bitter by then. But he kept going to work. He kinda buried himself in it. Then after he started going to church he met people who cared about him and showed him the importance forgiving the people who wronged him. He said he has a fresh start now and he feels like he can live for the first time.”
“Did he mention you in his testimony?”
“No. He didn’t need to.”
“It would have been nice to get a little credit.”
“I got all the credit I need. I know God is pleased. And here is the miracle. That guy’s life is changed forever.”
“Wow, that’s some story.”
“So now do you see how the junky car is a blessing?”
“Yep, I see. And you’re right, it depends on how you look at it.”
You can see from this illustration that when we listen to Holy Spirit and put aside our comfort and convenience, our difficult circumstances can be for God’s glory.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Rom. 8:14 NIV.