Looking Under the Hood

Last weekend we had a car up on stage that looked o.k. on the outside, but the engine was blown on the inside. I even tried to start the car in the service, popped the hood, and we took a look. It was a reminder that a lot of us try to “keep up our appearances” on the outside, but we’re shot on the inside.  

We don’t like to look under the hood or to get below the surface, because we’re afraid of what we’ll find there. If what we find in the interior of our lives is not where we want to be, then we’re faced with the tough decision of what to do about it. Do I continue to live my life in such a way that I appear to be o.k. on the outside but empty on the inside, or do I do an overhaul of my heart and get things right with God?

I’m amazed in my own life how I can go through long seasons where I don’t deal with issues of the heart. I don’t think it’s necessary to “look under the hood,” because I get busy or “focused” or I simply don’t want to go there. There’s a danger in this, especially for those of us who make our vocation our occupation. If we’re leading in a ministry or a church, we can get caught up on the externals (attendance, offerings, buildings, programs) and forget there are deeper issues of the heart.

The way I look at it is that we can either move from the outside in–the more attendance we have the more spiritual we are, or we can move from the inside out–our heart connect with God and devotion to Him leads to outward signs of fruit.

I’m always reminded when I think of these things that Jesus calls us to faithfulness not success. So, are you willing to look under the hood? What do you find when you go below the surface and consider your relationship with Jesus? I hope we can be a community of faith that is willing to be authentic in our quest to follow Christ and see Him change us from the inside out. How about if you stop right now after reading this and take a look under the hood?  And then pray that God will change you from the inside out.

About this entry

You’re currently reading “Looking Under the Hood,” an entry on Rick Grover’s Weblog

Published:
November 4, 2008 / 8:06 pm
Category:
Bumper Sticker Christianity
Tags: