lights on the dash

In this era of automobile technology, we are being trained to be ignorant of the basics of mechanics by the appearance of certain illumination devices on our dashboards, more colloquially known as idiot lights. Now, I don’t mind having such things available to those who need them, but when they appear, there should be good reason for it. Take for instance the ubiquitous Tire Pressure Monitoring System light, otherwise known as TPMS (no, not the kind that some women suffer). And right along with that is the rather demanding icon that looks like the cross section of a tire with an exclamation point in the center. Both of these items currently remain on in my vehicle even though the garage has put them out several times and have no answer as to why they keep coming on. Between those two, the bright light indicator and the check engine light, there is little need to turn on the dome light. It does, however, make it difficult for these old eyes to see out of the windshield at night.

Thinking deeper about this anomaly of my vehicle it occurs to me that the tire pressure may be low. “What,” you say, “you didn’t check the air pressure?” Oh, yes, I did indeed check the tire pressure. They remain at the recommended inflation pressure. But I do find an additional reason for these lights to be in the forefront of my mind, so to speak.

You see, I think that God may be indicating to me that I don’t have idiot lights.

It’s fairly common knowledge that when a tire goes flat, with no air to support it, there can be extensive damage done to the sidewalls of the tire. Drive the car far enough or fast enough with such air loss and you not only ruin the tire, but can also end up in a severe crash. Your life could be endangered!

Ahh, there it is. God’s message, plain and simple. If you aren’t inflated with enough of the Holy Spirit, you are traveling on borrowed time. Your life is in danger! You don’t have an internal alarm system that will make your eyes shine. In fact, once you die because you ran too far too fast away from Him, there is no do over. Unless you have a really good friend who will call you an idiot, point out your deficiency, and lead you back to base your lights will never come on again.

Take the time now to do a maintenance check. Pray the Holy Spirit into you; release Him to put you up to proper pressure, and sit back and enjoy the ride to the Mansion on the Hill! Ban idiot lights forever.

Warren A. Johnson

04 Jan 2010