There are so many small moments that can often times lead to an impact you could never imagine. Only God knows the potential they hold. I can remember a time that a deep puncture in my tire ended up with me sharing the Gospel in an unexpected way with a stranger. Who would have thought a flat tire could mean a Good News moment was on the horizon? I certainly didn’t!

I was headed to the airport and found a screw in my tire hours before needing to leave. I called the local tire repair shop and thankfully they had a set in stock that fit my need. I headed over and had my tires replaced. Long story short, I was due for a new set of tires but was hoping to get them the following month. Getting a flat seemed like the right time to replace them all.

I ended up sitting in the waiting room with an older gentleman who I likely would not have met otherwise, if it wasn’t for the whole flat tire ordeal.

As we waited I was reflecting and feeling thankful that the flat happened at home rather than on route to the airport, that it could get fixed in time for me to leave, and that I would not be late. The older gentleman was not having the same sentiments it seemed. He picked apart everything he could possibly find to pick apart and complained out loud about it all. I get it, tires are expensive and who wants to spend their time in a dusty waiting room drinking bad coffee out of a styrofoam cup while basking in the pungent aroma of rubber? Not me! Finally, after the man filed his final complaint he looked at me and said “What are you so happy about?” and that opened the door. The rest is history.

Sometimes these moments in life (like a flat tire) seem inconvenient and most often end up with an unexpected change in plans. It’s not always easy to change direction and because of this mishaps have the opportunity to put us in a funk pretty easily. We have the opportunity to choose joy even in the midst of the often mundane, sometimes expensive, and almost always annoying plot twists of life. I take that back, as Christians we have the responsibility to choose joy through all things.

The reality is that God has a plan and we need to chill out and go with the flow. If He sees fit that a flat tire is what it will take for His name to be glorified then so be it.

In what ways are you seizing opportunities to be present in the moment and seek God for wisdom of the bigger picture? Are you grumbling or glorifying? I can’t say I am always glorifying, Lord knows that’s not the case, but what if we were all a little more intentional about seeking to see this life through the lense of Christ instead of face value? I think we might end up with a lot more “flat tires” and gospel moments than we think.

Here’s to more tire shop moments and less ministry missions. Let’s just commit to being the salt and the light everywhere, in all things, and at all times. Let’s be disciples that can share in the sentiment of Paul: “follow my example as I follow Christ” in 1 Corinthians.

Lord,

May you continue to lead us in your will. Open the doors of the mishaps ahead and show us the path of peace and righteousness within the trials. We know that you have a plan and that it is for our good (Jeremiah 29:11) help us to see what our place is in that plan. Lord if you will is for us to have many trials so that the light can shine in the darkness than we accept that mission. As we know from Luke 14 the cost of discipleship is heavy. We want to make your name great Father. So often we think that comes with a cute fluffy package but the reality is that it is far more difficult than we could ever imagine. Strengthen us for the battle ahead. Keep our minds set on you. Keep our hearts filled with your precepts. Help us to be obedient soldiers for the Kingdom. In the precious name of your son, Jesus, Amen.