Staying in Tune

At one point last year I gave my brother directions for putting new spark plugs in his car. After putting them in his car was running worse than before. Spark plugs now-a-days come “pre gaped” which means the space between for the spark is already set at the right spacing for the car they are made for. I never trust a machine, and so I told my brother to check the gap before putting each one in. I had forgot to mention pre-gapping to him so when he went to buy the plugs and the guy behind the counter told him they were already ready to put in he thought he had scored and avoided one step.

Obviously the gap was off just slightly on at least one of the plugs, causing his car to not run properly. We’re talking about just millimeters between functioning at 100% and undriveable. It’s amazing how the timing can be off just slightly like that and force everything in the wrong direction. Yet when that little plug is aligned to the right specs the entire car runs smoothly.

It can be extremely frustrating when something happens in your life and you don’t understand why. As a small example, I’ve never really wanted to be involved in computers but I’m good at it and its the door the Lord swung open for me. I’ve often been frustrated with my place and how I can use my skills for the Kingdom.

About 6 months ago, in earlier January, I scheduled a trip to visit my friend here in Denver. The Red Sox were playing interleague games against the Rockies and I always enjoy seeing them play in other stadiums. I bought tickets to go as soon as they were on sale. Having a job working from home my plan was to work from his apartment during the day and hang out at night.

Flash forward two months and I lose my job. I have to take another contract in Boston, no more working from home, no vacation time. Not looking good for my trip but I plug on with the anticipation that I will go. As June rolls around and I get more comfortable in my role and with my boss it becomes apparent I will be able to go as planned. Around the same time I got an offer to head to South Africa in October for a couple weeks for some volunteer work with the Lausanne Movement. Super excited, I headed out to Denver for my much needed vacation.

The guy who is to be my boss for my volunteer work sends me an email asking to have a conference call and go over what we need to get me up and running. As I am now in a new time zone I let him know and tell him I’m available any time. Some time later he responds back…he lives in Denver, not far from where I am. What would have been an hour on the phone going over some training turns in to a two hour impromptu meeting at a local starbucks. I was able to meet him, talk about God and the amazing timing, and go over the training. A few times during our time he would show me something and say “we just started this piece, hopefully I can get you up to speed on it.” and I would have to interrupt and tell him I had just done the same thing for another client.

I planned a trip 6 months in advance and the Lord knew I’d be there for a specific reason. He knew I’d be taking that volunteer job, knew my boss would be in Denver, and knew the skills I would need to take it on. I’ve been in “training” for this volunteer position for over two years and never knew it! His timing is perfect, never out of sync. And when you continue walking in His path the roads not always paved and easy but your car runs smoothly.

I’m analytical and constantly wondering what my place is or why I’m doing this particular thing or that particular thing and what affect it’s really having on the overall scope of life and His Kingdom. To finally see pieces get put together; Pieces that have been laid out over such a long period of time causes me to go speechless.

That’s how big my God is.