My husband owned an insulation business after high school. There were many old houses where he lived, and most did not have modern insulation. With an insulation blowing machine, bales of insulating material can be blown into wall, ceiling, and attic spaces, providing a strong barrier against outside temperatures. He did this relatively easy job and made good money at the time.
In our new house, my husband realized that although our heat pump/AC is good quality and more than sufficient capacity for the square footage, extra insulation in the attic would take some pressure off the system, prevent AC and heat loss, and lower our electric bill. After a lot of legwork, he found the insulation, an insulation machine to rent and a guy to help in the attic. The plan was going along fine this spring until there were some complications with renting the machine. Week after week, turning into months, the machine was out for repairs, or we had scheduling conflicts. Summer arrived and the AC ran, plus the attic got VERY hot! But the plan came together, and he was finally set.
On the designated day, my husband went to pick up the insulation machine. He and the salesperson checked out the machine and turned it on for a test run. It seems the sales guy didn’t know how to properly operate the machine. Either an incompatible outlet or the wrong extension cord caused a surge or a short in the machine when they plugged it in. Smoke and sparks flew, and the machine cord was compromised. My husband insisted the machine would still be fine for him to use but the management insisted that the machine must go back to the repair shop. The project remains on hold for us, with about twenty bales of insulation stored in our garage!
This reminds me that there is always a proper way to do things. Equipment runs well when it is run correctly. Misuse results in breakdowns and damage. This is true in life too. Things go well when good choices are made and wise, safe practices are taken.
I see a strong emphasis in the Christian faith on God’s love and mercy lately. In reaction to the impression of criticism, legalism or negativity, Christian writers and pastors are focusing their words on God’s compassion and forgiveness. We should not underestimate the breadth of God’s great mercy and His willingness to forgive us and welcome us into salvation because of the gift of His Son’s work on the cross. That is completely true and cannot be forgotten. But Scripture also speaks much of following directions, living by God’s plan, obeying what God says.
Like the insulation machine, when operated according to the directions, the machine runs properly. When there’s misuse, the machine malfunctions! God created us and wrote our owner’s manual. From the pages of the Old Testament, including the Ten Commandments and the lessons of the Israelites and the patriarchs of the faith, to the pages of the New Testament with Jesus’ confirmation and expansion of the commandments through epistles of instruction to believers in the church, we have the directions for how this life works. We cannot be fooled into depending on God’s love and mercy as an excuse for living by our own set of rules.
The longest chapter in the Bible (Psalm 119) is a poem all about the beauty and value of God’s laws: “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32) Obedience to God’s commands results in freedom, safety and peak performance.
This photo says “America” to me. The white exterior could be a rural farm or ranch home, or an urban rowhouse or the classic suburban neighborhood. The fence could be split rail, aging wrought iron or picket. Red roses and the American flag are timeless across our nation, befitting any dwelling. I’m thankful for the US of A and its strong foundation: the Declaration of Independence defending “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for all citizens, the Constitution, and a Bill of Rights guaranteeing many important freedoms. May our nation always hold fast to these ideals.