Hosanna Restoration Church

Forty years ago, we were packing up to move back to my hometown. We were for the most part clueless as to a plan, other than we were seeking to know Jesus more. It sounds a bit crazy when I think about it, but amazing at the same time. Only God could have managed such a move.

God knew we were in need, and seeking when we had no idea. When I look at the woman Jesus met at the well, I see someone who was seeking, and God met her need. Her life was transformed and as a result, many other lives were transformed as well. As God has transformed your life, things have changed as well.

So, what does this have to do with a clutch? When I think of clutching something, I also think of the way we must cling to Jesus in order to stay engaged. Jesus told Mary not to cling to Him because He had not yet settled in with the Father. He is at the right hand of the Father now, so we can, should, and must cling to Jesus.

Right now, my old tractor is sitting ready to go, except it can’t go! It will start. The hydraulics were well. But the clutch is done. I can put it in gear, but it will not move. The clutch will not engage! What a sad deal. It seemed sudden, but it wasn’t. It just gradually faded. I was able to have it adjusted for quite a while, but it ran out of adjustment opportunities and now it looks like it is fine and ready to work; but it isn’t.

I think that is the way we can get, if we fail to clutch and cling to Jesus. It is in Jesus that we live and move and have our being. When we are engaged in our relationship with Him, everything works.

We may run into times when our clutch is slipping but we can still move. We may not have time to pray, but we keep moving. We comfort ourselves with excuses and rationalization. We know we could use an adjustment, we really do, but God understands. Thankfully, that is true. We never get beyond adjusting. We can park our faith in the trees, like worn out equipment, but it only takes a prayer to get us back on the road.

Jesus is always near so we can grab ahold again. When we do, we are right back in gear. Jesus restores us and life is good.

I prayed that my tractor would jump back into action. In fact, I did a lot of praying just to get it to the spot where it sits. I will start it again and pray for that miracle fix. If it does not work, I will always have this reminder to keep my faith engaged! I remember how the woman at the well jumped right into gear telling everyone about what Jesus had told her. I will be thankful for the way that the Lord put our lives into motion.

Most of all, I will rejoice that when we call on Jesus, He never ignores us. He always hears us. He is always engaged in the promise to give us life. There is no slipping on His part. Let’s keep our clutches oiled with the oil of the Spirit. Let’s stay engaged and moving with Jesus.