“DETAILING” FOR ETERNITY

By Geoff Seidel

When I was in high school, I worked at a Chevrolet dealer in Ephrata. My job was to pump gas, change tires, change oil and lube chassis, and detail cars. Detailing was my favorite job because it made the car LOOK good. The car was washed, polished, waxed (there is a difference), the wheels washed and the tires dressed, the interior vacuumed, the dashboard and upholstery wiped with Armor All, and the windows cleaned inside and out. I’ve carried my detailing skills into adulthood…it makes my ride LOOK good. I’ve taught these detailing skills to our kids. Lauren can detail a car well and will point out if a car has not been detailed well.

As we prepared for Momentum, I did my annual detailing of our van. The van has been to every Momentum (except California and Wisconsin) since we purchased it in 2000. I washed the car with my Ice Car Wash. I pulled out my Turtle Wax Liquid Clay Polish to take off the surface imperfections, the stains, the oxidation, and the dullness that had accumulated over the past year. Then I got my buffer and laid on a coat of Meguire’s Nano Liquid Wax. WAX ON, WAX OFF…my buffing with my detailing cloth was perfect. I took my touch-up paint and touched up the little nicks, scratches, and minor rust spots that had accumulated over the past year. I applied Rain-Ex to the exterior windows. I cleaned the interior windows and took Armor All over the upholstery and the dashboard. I touched-up the woodwork. I cleaned the door jams. I applied wheel polish to the wheels and dressed the tires. I even hung a new Pine Tree air freshener on the dashboard. IT LOOKED (and smelled) GOOD !!!

BUT, there was something I was neglecting. I knew I had to do it but really didn’t want to bother. It would mean getting under the hood and looking into the GUTS of the vehicle. It was dirty and greasy; it was hot and smelly; it was something simple that I had to do, but it meant going under the hood. So what was it I had to do? I had to check the oil, check the transmission fluid, check the brake fluid and power steering fluid, and check the windshield washer fluid. These are essential parts of the inside of the van that must be checked/changed in order for the van to run well. BUT no one would SEE that my fluids were all topped off, my oil changed, and my front end lubed. I need to keep the engine lubricated so it runs well; my transmission fluid topped off so there is movement when I put the van into gear; my power steering fluid level topped off so I can keep the vehicle on the road; my brake fluid topped off so I can slow down and stop if necessary; and my windshield washer topped off, so I can see through the dirt on the OUTSIDE of the windshield. But no one can SEE this part. It is essential, but can’t be seen.

I realized that I cared more about the OUTSIDE of the van, missing the priority of maintaining the internal workings of the van…the parts that keep the vehicle on the road, safe to operate, and dependable. In almost an audible voice, God reminded me that that is how I sometimes operate my life…it looks good, it smells good, it is shiny, it can sparkle. But on the inside, my life is not ‘topped off’ with the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This lack of internal maintenance manifests itself in my thinking, my responses, my interactions, my motives, my love for others, my sin, and my ministry.

Father forgive me for focusing on the outside of my life rather than my heart. This week at Momentum, I’ve had the opportunity to focus on ‘topping off my fluids’ with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We have been reminded of the need to daily manifest HIM in our lives. This involves responding to the Holy Spirit as we read and study His word and interact with others. It is the INTERNAL condition of my heart that drives my life. It’s about what’s on the inside that brings the “shine” to the outside. Lord forgive me for getting this backwards. Thank you for your patience with me and the grace you extend to me daily. Teach me daily to ‘top off’ my fluids in You. I need the detailing of Your love on the INSIDE. I love you Father.