Having A Screw Loose
Mustard Seed Chronicles: Story Time with LU Grandma
We have heard this phrase, or maybe have said it of someone that they had a screw loose. Not a very nice phrase to say about anyone. When thinking about that, I again thought of my father. He was not only a gardener, but also a union carpenter. He wanted us all to know how to properly put machinery and buildings together. He always said, “Girls, when you’re putting anything together, you have to make sure that the screws are tightened down. If they are not, when you are using that implement, the vibration of it running will cause the screws to come undone. Whatever you are using will either break or fall apart causing great damage to you and maybe someone or something else.”
I got thinking about that when I was fixing our back storm door. We live on a concrete slab and when the seasons change the slab shifts up and down. It loosens the screws so the door will not close properly. Each season we have had to tighten some screws.
It made me think about our relationship with the Lord. If we do not fasten our “screws” tightly to Him in devotion and prayer every day and keep in the Word like we are supposed to, then the screws that anchor us to His cross can come loose. We have experienced this ourselves and have seen it in our families’ and friends’ lives, too.
When I shared these thoughts with my husband, he told me a story about his dad and their boat. The boat was the kind with an outboard motor and the way it hooked onto the boat was fastened by only one screw. One screw held the motor onto the boat. When the motor was running, it would vibrate and the screw would work itself loose. So, his dad always had a safety chain that connected the motor to a support under one of the seats. He chose something very strong and sturdy, so that if the screw did come undone, then they would not lose the motor in the water leaving them stranded.
I got thinking about that and how that fits into our day right now. There’s a lot of negative “vibration” going on in our world. If we do not have our “screws” tightened into the cross of Jesus Christ as we need to, what have we got? What have we got if our world starts to fall apart? Maybe there is a death in the family, loss of our jobs, the pandemic invades our world and alters it massively, etc. If we do not have the safety chain, what have we got?
For me, I have fastened myself to His cross; the screws are my Salvation. My safety chain is wrapped around that rock that was rolled away from that empty tomb. I know my Jesus is alive, powerful, and in control. He can get me through those tough times and has definitely done so.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray with all that is within me that those who read this have their “screws” tightly into the cross and their “safety chain” around the Solid Rock! Edward Mote, who lived from 1797-1874, wrote the lyrics to this old hymn, and is the song of my heart for today, and for all who may read this.
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
Christ the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Supports me in the ‘whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.”
On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand! All other ground is sinking sand. I pray that others know this well, Lord. If not, please help them to find You!
In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!
Meet the Author
Timi Plyter
“LU Grandma”
Lead Parent Advocate
