I had to take my pickup to the doctor. After he transplanted some new parts he said to me, “Mr. Bothwell, you had this truck in here two years ago and since then you have only driven it 3000 miles. You have to drive this truck more or you will be replacing lots of parts. Trucks are not made to sit.”
“Oh dear,” I thought. “I have a couch potato truck. It’s losing its health for lack of exercise.” This weekend I need to go to New York City. I will take it and stretch its muscles.
Isn’t it fascinating that even machinery doesn’t do well when it does nothing? Christians are certainly no exception to this. If we do not exercise our faith and reach for the goal of being more like Jesus we will lose our spiritual health. Couch Potato Christians grow lazy and complacent. It’s essential that we actively seek out those who need our help, those who are hurting, those who have not experienced the joy of salvation and do what we can to remedy the problems. By doing thus we will be blessed. It is always a double blessing. The person we help is blessed and we grow in grace.
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 10, 2008
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574