Problems In The Parking Lot #2!

July 29, 2021

Problems In The Parking Lot!  #2

Early in the morning a few weeks ago, I pulled into the church parking lot.  I noticed a small car with two people sitting in it.  They were not bothering anything so I continued to walk across the lot toward my office. 

The driver started the car, revved it up several times, and then put it in gear.  The car lunged forward about ten feet and then stopped running.  I was curious so I watched for a little while. 

The car would not start so they just waited inside.  About five minutes later, the driver was able to get the car started.  The driver revved it up several times and then put it in gear. 

Again, the car lunged forward about ten feet and then stopped running.  And again, the car would not start for a few minutes.  At that rate, it would take them another three or four attempts to just get to the street. 

There was a problem in the parking lot!

Sometimes life feels like that car; it is difficult to get started, difficult to make progress, and there is the disappointment of falling short of your goal once you do get started.  One of the things I admired about the driver of the car was their perseverance; they just continued to try one more time!

Jesus tells the story of a woman who goes to a judge to ask for help.  She was a widow with meager financial resources.  She was also being taken advantage of someone she calls an “opponent.” 

With nowhere else to go, she goes to the judge.  At first, the judge is not interested in helping in any way.  But, then he notices her persistence.  It is obvious she will keep coming back again and again and again.

In Luke 18:5 we hear the judge say; “…because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.”  The judge responds to the woman’s persistence.  In like manner, Jesus says He will respond when we pray with persistence.

Sometimes I am presented with a problem that has no easy or quick fix.  The only response is to ask the Spirit for help and guidance and wisdom as well as to continue trying to find a way through the problem.  Prayer and persistence are evidence of my faith in the Lord God.

During the first century, the churches in Rome were confronted with persecution, violence, and hardship of all kinds.  Some of the Christ-followers in that city were beginning to lose hope and lose joy and lose faith.

The Apostle Paul writes a word of encouragement to them.  In Romans 12:12 we hear; “Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”  Paul is encouraging them to be patient and persistent as they face different problems.

Car problems in a parking lot are no fun.  Problems in life are no fun, either.  It is easy to panic or get paralyzed with fear.  It is easy to ignore or deny the problem.  It is easy to try once or twice and give up.

In contrast, Jesus invites us to be patient and persevere and pray when we are faced with injustice or challenges or problems.  There is hope now and there will be peace and joy once again. 

When we have faith in Christ to persevere, our heart will be filled with delight as we move through the problem we are facing.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug