Last week I got a new car. My old car had served me well for many years, and I had a sense our time together was at an end. My General Patton (he protects me from lots of things, including car dealers!) had even done some test driving and lots of research. It was a violent demise, but no wreck. As I turned onto a busy street close to my daughter’s house, it began to make a horrific noise and shake violently. I thought I had blown a tire and was able to pull over, and onto a side street. I checked the tires and they were fine.

First call was to my General! He knows a lot about cars and especially mine. Long story, and since mechanics isn’t my specialty, I won’t go there. Point is, the car’s problem was not worth the cost of repairs.

My new car has a key fob for starting it. I looked it up! It’s a small security device with built-in authentication used to secure access. Uh-huh. The key’s actually hidden inside. The car is designed to access its power only when the fob is near. I’ve never had this kind of relationship with a car before. If that fob is in my purse, the locked doors will open with my touch. If I leave it behind in the car and try to walk away, it alerts me. Loudly. I usually jump!

Maybe it’s a bit like our relationship with God. There’s authentication needed to secure access. We can’t access His power without a genuine connection. We’re designed to be connected to Him as the power source for our life. It means we draw near to Him. He’s not a magician to just give us what we want when we pray. Our heart and His need to be linked.

The keys to God’s kingdom are different from this world’s. God’s original design for mankind was unlimited access to Him. In the garden of Eden, Adam & Eve walked and talked with God. Whatever they needed, they had access to. Because sin separates us from a holy God, life on earth changed. Jesus’ death and resurrection restored the keys of the kingdom to those who choose to believe in Him. Those keys give us unlimited access to the eternal realm in every way.

I like that I can’t lock myself out of my new car unless I ignore the warning. I like that about my relationship with God, too.

Copyright © 2017 Nadine Patton.

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