Transportation Practice 4

Get the most from your vehicle: Cars are hard to figure out. There’s a reason we have such a hard time finding a mechanic we can trust: because we so often don’t know anything about cars. For many, if it’s moving it’s working and if it isn’t, it needs to be fixed. But usually, it needs to be fixed long before it stops, and while this is going on, the car is wasting resources and your money. So, it is good stewardship to learn more about your car and know what it needs. It can also be fun and a big ego boost to maintain or fix your car yourself.

But, even more simply, we can drive in a way that does not wear our cars out faster. For instance, making slower more gradual stops, where you see the stop earlier, anticipate, and ease on your brakes will make your brakes last longer, use less gas, and help your tires last longer. If you avoid gunning it as soon as the light turns green, you use less gasoline. I’ve seen a difference of 5-10 miles per gallon when I drive like this, as opposed to riding the brakes and gunning the gas pedal. The more gradual you can make your stops and acceleration, the better—especially when you’re dealing with hills.

Working on cars and driving with more restraint probably doesn’t seem overtly spiritual unless you’re thinking about it in the stereotypical kind of man’s man way. But, this is, like so many other things we’ve talked about, taking care of something. It is using our resources wisely. This is a praise to God that you realize all he has blessed you with and you do not intend to squander it. So, roll up your sleeves, get greasy, watch your driving, save some money on gas, replacements and repairs, and know that you are giving greater glory to the gifts God has put in your life.