Thoughts of Another Traveler…

Would I Make the List?

A few days ago, I noticed a sign that really caught my attention—the sign said, “Get Ready for the recall of God’s Children!”  The message here was referring specifically to the second coming of Christ—and at first I honestly did not pay that much attention.  However, as I drove down the road, I began to think about it a little bit differently.  In fact, I felt God speak to me with one of those questions that jolt you to a complete new thought process—he said to me, “If I were to examine your life right now…what part would need to be put on a “Re-Call” notice?”  Then He said, “Think about that with some depth!”

How many have ever received a “Re-call” notice on a product you purchased or a vehicle you own?

“Re-calls” have become fairly commonplace in the world we live in today.  Some of them are very serious and involve complete failure of the manufacturer to build a quality safe product…some of them are actually a little humorous—and some downright ludicrous.  Many are real and serious, and many are simply the result of the litigation happy culture we live in today.

Vehicle Recalls:

This past week, BMW recalled over 1.3 million cars…the problem? A possible problem with a battery cable located in the trunk, which can cause starting issues and potentially a fire in the trunk.

In the February 2012 National safety report alone, there are current vehicle recalls for Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Honda, Volvo, Harley Davidson, Mack Trucks, Chrysler, Suzuki, Champion Buses, Subaru, Winnebago motor-homes, Porsche, and Mitsubishi. 

I have owned my current truck for almost 5 years—it has had 3 recalls—the last one involved the mechanic grinding down my gas pedal by less than 1/8 of an inch in order to assure that the pedal would not stick on the floor mat and cause me to have a crash!

Recent recalls issued by Companies who make products:

• Easton LaCrosse Helmets—Potential injury hazard
• Power foundations adjustable mattresses—Potential fire hazard
• Westinghouse Ceiling fans—fire and shock hazard
• Bon Hiver Snowboard bidings—Potential fall hazard
• Kawasaki Mule utility vehicles—potential fire hazard
• Cub Cadet and Troy-bilt Lawn Tractors—Potential Crash hazard
• Outdoor folding knife—Possible laceration hazard
• Umbro boys outerwear jackets—potential entrapment hazard
• Fisher Price toddler tricycles—Potential laceration hazard
• Latches for Utility vehicle doors—potential ejection, impact, and Laceration hazard
• Bosch Fire Alarm control panels—Potential fire alarm failure

Definition of “Re-Call”

1. To ask or order to return: recalled all workers who had been laid off.
2. To summon back to awareness of or concern with the subject or situation at hand.
3. To remember; recollect. 
4. To cancel, take back, or revoke.
5. To bring back; restore.
6. To request return (of a product) to the manufacturer, as for necessary repairs or adjustments.
7. to cause (one’s thoughts, attention, etc.) to return from a reverie or digression

(Reverie—An act or state of Absent-minded daydreaming.)

Why is a Product Re-called?

• It is not functioning as promised—or not fulfilling its purpose
• It poses a hazard to itself or others
• It creates a liability

On the night before Jesus crucifixion, Jesus shared many teachings with his disciples.  He shared with them the lesson of Servant hood by washing their feet.  He shared with them the lesson of what his true sacrificial purpose was by showing them the symbols of the wine and bread—and revealing to them the sacrifice of body and blood which would be for our sins.  Sometimes some of the most prominent lessons that Jesus gave are overlooked in the dialogue that happened during that week and that special evening.  Jesus told that the disciples about the trials they would face after he had departed from them in Physical presence.  He shared with them how difficult life would get, how people would hate them for their faith, and how they would receive the Holy Spirit to keep them, guide them, and protect them.

One of my favorite lessons of that night was the lesson from John 15, which I believes speaks to the theme for tonight—

John 15  The Vine and the Branches

 ¹ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

   ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 

   ⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.   Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other. 

New International Version (NIV)

A person who is not attached to vine is in need of a “Recall”  

Once you begin to remove yourself from your original purpose, the reason for which you are created, you come to a place of trouble.  As a branch—you cannot exist spiritually away from the Vine.  You must be connected to survive as part of this world.  Maybe tonight God is placing a “Recall” on your life.  Maybe He is calling us to “Reconnect” to the Vine.  

Questions we can ask ourselves to see if we might be on God’s “Re-call” list:

• Am I fulfilling the purpose of my creator/manufacturer?
• Do I need repairs or adjustments—or do I have habits or actions in my life that are currently a potential hazard to myself or others?
• Have I drifted into a state of Reverie…or digressed from the passion of the Gospel?
• Sin separates us from our true state of existence and purpose for living…do I need to be restored or brought back to form through forgiveness because of lingering sin in my life?
• Are my actions creating a liability for myself or others?

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth—

“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup”

Why, because we have to be perfect?   NO!

Because every time we partake of the Lord’s supper—it is the prime opportunity to be reminded of the Sacrifice made by Christ, and for us to discern what that truly means to us.  

“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.  That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.  Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.” 

Because God want us to continually examine ourselves, and let him examine us to make sure we don’t need a “Recall” to make sure we are connected to the Vine.  In doing this, we avoid the condemnation that is coming for those who don’t believe or don’t even care.  

Examine now—If God pulled you into the shop, and did a thorough inspection—where would He issue the recall?  Would he tell you right away that you are not connected to the Vine—or you are at least partially severed from Him?