Spiritual Stuff I Learned from Not Knowing Motorcycle Maintenance
“And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness."
~ Ephesians 4:11-13
For six years I have owned a motorcycle and enjoy riding it every year. It used to belong to Jamie's uncle, and when he passed away I was the lucky person to end up with it.
One important thing with motorbikes is maintenance, so at the beginning of every riding season my father-in-law comes to our place and we change the oil and do minor maintenance on my motorbike. Of course, when I say "we" I really mean "he" and I hand him the tools he needs.
However, it dawned on me this year that with our move to Tofino I will no longer have a handy (and free) mechanic within driving distance, which means that next year I will have to change the oil and do minor maintenance myself.
The only problem is, I don't know how. I mean, I know the basics, as I have watched my father-in-law do it for a few years now, but I've never done it myself.
So this year I asked my father-in-law to come out and watch me change the oil while handing me my tools and correcting me as needed, because the only way I will learn is by doing it myself. Yes, YouTube could teach me, but there is nothing better than having a coach / mentor / expert nearby to help me gain the knowledge and confidence to do it myself next time.
This principle has many applications to our spiritual formation. There are times we lack the knowledge and confidence to do some basic things for a follower of Jesus: share our faith, facilitate a small group discussion, explain a bible passage to our kids, disciple a new believer.
Sadly, we sometimes use the lack of knowledge as an excuse to not do these basic actions.
"I don't feel confident sharing my story of how I came to faith, so I won't."
"I don't know how explain this core tenet of my faith, so I won't."
"I've never discipled someone and don't know how to, so I won't."
"I wouldn't know how to facilitate a small discussion of faith, so I won't."
Furthering our problem is we farm out these responsibilities to others so we don't have to learn them. Sunday School can teach my kids. The pastor can share the good news on a Sunday morning. The church can start a discipleship program to which I can refer someone.
This is not the way things should be. The call to do these things is on all of us as individuals and as a church. As the passage in Ephesians explicitly states, pastors and teachers (and the rest of those offices) are here to equip you and me for the work of ministry.
Never, ever, ever were we meant to simply attend a church and pass the "experts" their tools and their salary. We are supposed to do these things ourselves, and those experts are the ones who teach, encourage, and train us for the work.
PAUSE and REFLECT
Is there an area of faith where you lack the knowledge or confidence to "do it yourself"? If so, what are you doing about it?
These words to the Ephesian church remind us that we are all called to minister, especially in the basic things like sharing our faith, understanding our Bible, and discipling others in their relationship with Jesus. However, just like me and motorcycle maintenance, if we lack the knowledge it is on us to ask for help.
Is there someone you know who could help you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to do the work of ministry? Ask them for that help! If we are called to do something (which as followers of Jesus we are), it is on us to learn how to do it. Yes the Holy Spirit is the ultimate and best Teacher, but don't forget he often empowers and works through others to help you grow as a follower of Jesus.
Also don't forget that there are some things we don't need to learn. We don't need to learn how to be kind, or how to help our neighbour, or how to love others. These are things we can do right now. In fact, it is these simple things that will lead us to the place where we do need to learn something like sharing the reason why we believe or discipling another person in their new faith.
Next year I will be changing my motorbike oil all by myself. By next summer what new faith-skill will you be practicing?