Both of our personal vehicles are getting old and have many miles on them. Our truck is a 2003 model and it has over 135,000 miles on it, while our car is only a 2007, but it has over 240,000 miles. They are still running great because, over the years, we have maintained them faithfully by performing all the required oil changes, lubrication, tune-ups, etc. at the appropriate intervals.
By doing the preventive maintenance steps, we avoid the larger, more expensive, and potentially destructive, steps of harming the vehicle’s engine and other mechanical parts through neglect and abuse. This has saved us hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair and/or replacement costs over the years.
Our bodies need a little preventive maintenance as well! A good, healthy diet and a regular exercise program are essential to keep us in great shape and excellent health so that we, too, may run longer. The same thing goes for our spiritual lives. Stretch your spiritual “muscles” by getting into God’s Word every day, not just on Sundays or Wednesday nights. Pray continually and give thanks to God for everything.
Don’t neglect a little preventive maintenance in every area of your life!
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) - “Never stop praying.”
[And here’s a freebie that I had to look up: Both preventive and preventative maintenance are appropriate and interchangeable. I may be the only that was confused by that!]