The Astra has parking sensors – one of the unexpected extras you might get when you buy a nearly new car from the Vauxhall company pool. At first it seemed like a toy to play with, since I’ve never used one to park before. Then, you spend a little time getting used to what the beeps mean, stepping out of the car to see how near it actually was to the car behind, and you learn to ‘see’ the gap when you hear the sound. Then you learn to rely on it, and you have a new way of parking.
However, you have to learn to remember, when you are driving the other car, which doesn’t have parking sensors, that if you keep on reversing, it will be a crunch that reminds you of that important little fact.
My daughter thinks she has heard that there is some car which can park itself. A system that allows the car to see the place and manoeuvre itself into it. Our reaction is quite simple – we wouldn’t trust a car to do that!
I suppose it is beyond our imagination, we haven’t seen it, so it is hard to believe it is possible, and more importantly trust something else to take responsibility for something we are responsible for.
But, just like with the parking sensors, if your car is designed to do it, with a little exploration, you will learn to make use of the capabilities, even if your imagination (or lack of it) tells you it is impossible.
So, if I now remind you that, having put your trust in Jesus, you are a vehicle that the Holy Spirit has taken responsibility for, and ‘gadgets’ are part of the package… what is there to stop you trying out some of those gifts you’ve heard of, but not started to employ yet?