Knobs, Pushbuttons and Upgraded Options

“The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things.” John‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ a

When I purchased my most recent car, I knew a few things that I wanted on the car as far as options go. I knew what upgrades I wanted. The car I chose had what I wanted plus a whole lot of other options and upgrades. They were already there so they were included in the price of the car. When I purchased the car, those options became available to me to use at any time I wanted.

Our lives, as believers, can be compared to a car. We are here on earth to drive our car on a journey to a destination at the end. When we accept Christ, He has purchased our lives and given us a luxury car to drive. My spiritual life is like driving that “luxury” car. There are so many knobs and pushbuttons in that car! The dashboard is full of knobs, pushbuttons and options and upgrades. God paid the price for me and all that was included. “Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?” 1 Cor. 6:20

I get that car out on the road and I’m happy to be driving it. Is driving it as nice as I thought it was on my test drive? Is my life the ride I thought it would be or is something missing? Is it a good ride but not great??

What about all that’s available on my dashboard? All the knobs and pushbuttons? Have I used them and have they all been tried yet? They could make a life and driving easier but I don’t know how to use them. Are they just taking up space on my dash? Remember, they were all included in the price.

I begin to have buyer’s remorse. Why did I buy a car with all these knobs?? Why did I pay extra money for all that and then not experience or use what was already paid for?

Spiritually speaking, we were all bought with a price, upgrades included! the Holy Spirit is ALL the upgrade we need! He is here, ready and available. The Holy Spirit can give our life an upgrade and show us how to use all the options. He can also be the warning lights when we have a problem and need to be serviced. Everything was paid for - we might as well use it ALL.

There is so much potential in all the knobs and pushbuttons but we don’t take time to learn how to use them. You might see them as “non-essential.” They are extras but why not use all the car has to offer anyway?? Why not use all (the Holy Spirit) that God has to offer?

I feel like my personal ride through life is that, generally, I steer myself in the right direction. I use the steering wheel, accelerator, brake, turn signals and side & rearview mirrors. It gets me where I need to be at that point in my drive.Those are the basics and it’s easy for me. I’m comfortable knowing what they do. They get me safely from point A to point B.

In my spiritual life, I use prayer, worship, and reading the Bible. Those are basics I am disciplined in. I know how to use them and I know what they do. They are easy for me to do. I know they will get me through my ride of life and to my “home.” They are the basics that came with my new life in Him.

In the upgraded accessories, there is a GPS, cruise control, seat heaters and coolers massagers, lane keeping assist, self parking assistant…..I paid for these but maybe I’m not using all of the luxury parts. They’re in my car but they’re not being used.

There are “upgraded accessories” as well in our spiritual life as well. There’s the Holy Spirit and all He does for us - gives us gifts, helps us bear fruit, provides the armor of God, guides us, calms and comforts us …. Some of those options might seem scary or a bit overwhelming. They shouldn’t be if I use them regularly. Am I using them? As I begin to use all that’s available to me, my ride becomes an enjoyable cruise through life.

What part of being a Christian am I using so I can live “abundantly” and ride in luxury? Am I enjoying a “so-so” ride when I could be riding in luxury? Am I afraid to use something I’m not comfortable with? There’s a manual for that. It’s called the Bible. Am I going through the motions of driving but not getting anywhere? We must take our foot off the brake and give it some gas. Use that pedal and all that’s available on your dash! God doesn’t ask you to look at all your upgrades and decide which ones you want to use. He asks you to use them ALL!

After receiving the Holy Spirit and all the spiritual “accessories” that come with a life with God, you begin to understand things in a whole new way and it changes your ride! “The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you.” John 4:26

Our spiritual journey is too important to not be using all the knobs, pushbuttons, and warning lights of our cars. Sometimes the best roads in life are the ones you use with an upgraded luxury option. Life isn’t always and smooth or comfortable journey. We encounter obstacles and roadblocks but those upgraded options can help out. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jere. 29:11 Keep moving forward towards your hope and future!