Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1500490
Shifting Gears Marty Edwards I remember the first time I attempted to operate a manual transmission. I was 15 years old and it was in a mall parking lot with my mom's brand new Volkswagen Beetle. Mom was in the tiny back seat with her long legs and beehive hairdo, while my dad sat next to me barking out orders "slow down" and "give it gas!" Fortunately, a VW Bug is likely the best car to have when learning to drive a manual. (There's not a lot of power in a Bug and the stick is pretty forgiving.) Many years later, I once again had to learn how to shift - this time on my first Harley-Davidson. Once I got up the nerve to leave the garage for the first time, I found it pretty easy to master the hand clutch and foot shift. I'm not sure if the motorcycle was easier than the car or that I just did much better without my dad being there. How exactly does a transmission work? I'm no mechanic, but here's what I could glean from the internet. I was also interested in how many applications there are between human beings and cars. For instance, have you ever been in a meeting or a discussion where someone says, "Now, wait a minute! I think this is a good time to shift gears!" (1) A car or motorcycle transmission is one of the most important components of a vehicle. APPLICATION: If we don't master the art of "shifting gears" in life, we'll quickly find out the hard way how critical it is when we don't make those necessary shifts. When we don't allow for or even make necessary "adjustments," we can make mistakes, become frustrated, or simply burn out. There's a time to race and there's a time to cruise. There's a time to twist that throttle and there's a time to "shut her down for the night." (2) A transmission is what moves the power from the engine to the wheels." APPLICATION: The most powerful car or motorcycle in the world can't go anywhere without a transmission. The best they can do is make a lot of noise and produce a lot of smoke! All of the best plans and intentions will fall by the wayside unless we have the power and resources to move forward. (3) The ability to change the gears in a transmission allows the engine to adapt to circumstances i.e. going faster or slower, climbing a hill, slowing down, etc. APPLICATION: Have you ever tried to drive a car or operate a motorcycle using only the first gear? It's not smooth or efficient or even comfortable to watch. The operator looks kind of silly jerking back and forth as they make their way down the road. Those of us who know only one way of doing things are going to be in trouble when we are unable or unwilling to adapt. There are indeed absolutes in this life but there is also the concept of adaptability. (4) Some transmissions are AUTOMATIC and some are MANUAL. APPLICATION: Some people enjoy the ease and simplicity of an automatic while others value the option of downshifting for more power or traction while steering into a curve. Manual transmissions give some drivers a sense of great control. A home, a church, a business or even a motorcycle ministry needs to know when to operate by the rules (automatic) and when to step in and make some changes, some adjustments or as they say in football, "call an audible." Some things suffer with too much assistance and leadership and some suffer from not enough. Success comes from knowing the difference and the timing. (5) When a vehicle is stopped, the transmission disengages the engine from the wheels so that the engine can keep idling when the wheels aren't in motion. APPLICATION: Cars and bikes aren't always moving forward. In fact, there are plenty of reasons why they have to stop and idle; traffic lights, warming up in the driveway, or even maintenance, etc. For those of us in ministry, especially those in leadership, we need to know when it's times to slow down...pull over and idle for a bit, or turn the motor off and let it cool down. If we don't, we may burn out, blow up or quit running altogether. Know when to disengage before you self-destruct. (6) Transmissions also assist with a quick acceleration from a stopped position or the power to slow a vehicle down when necessary. APPLICATION: There's a time to move and make a difference and there's a time to slow things down...even pull over and take a break. I've been in some form of Christian leadership for 46 years. I've seen and even personally experienced the hazards of going too slow or too fast. I've seen and experienced what happens when we push too hard or don't glean from the wisdom of others. Sometimes I benefitted from pulling over for a few minutes...or a few hours. I even took the advice of an elder to who told me to take three months off and away from leadership and it was the best thing I ever did. Finally, for those in ministry 1. Don't underestimate the power of daily times in prayer and God's Word. You're not going anywhere without fuel. John 15:5 2. Don't underestimate the need for timely tune-ups and repairs. We're just flesh and blood. We all need them. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 3. Don't do it alone. You need a team and we all need each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 4. There's a time to STAND FIRM and there's a time to COMPROMISE. Know the difference. Trust in God. Proverbs 14:29