WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD

We often think of car care as giving it a regular wash, filling up the tank and servicing. The state of our car tyres often ranks low in our priority list.

One fine day, we may discover that there is uneven wear on the front tyres. Or one of the tyres has gone flat. Then we have no choice but to act.

When there are cuts at the tyre side wall or the tyres have become bald (leading to bursting of the tyres while travelling), accidents may occur, resulting in serious injuries or even death.

That’s why we should learn about tyre care and maintenance which, among other things, include rotating the tyres every 10,000 kilometre, doing a visual inspection of our tyres regularly and changing worn or defective tyres before it is too late.

We should not try to save money by getting cheap used tyres or retreaded tyres. For tyres – and the brakes – are those parts of the car which really count when it comes to saving lives, especially during high speed travel.

It’s no point having a shiny, sleek, super sports car shod with cheap or defective tyres. What really matters is where the rubber meets the road.

We often fail to appreciate what is most crucial and important – not only in the area of road safety but also with regards to our worldview or philosophy in life.

A man may take pride in his wisdom, knowledge, fame, power, achievements and wealth. But all these things are temporal; they are only good for a season. Though he may have an impressive list of choice freehold real estate, he needs to be reminded that he himself is “leasehold”. One day, his “lease” on earth will be withdrawn by his Creator.

"People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1: 24-25).

Man cannot abide in his pomp. He is like the beasts which perish:

For all can see that the wise die,
    that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
    leaving their wealth to others.
Their tombs will remain their houses forever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,
    though they had named lands after themselves.

Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
    and people praise you when you prosper—
they will join those who have gone before them,
    who will never again see the light of life.

People who have wealth but lack understanding
    are like the beasts that perish.

(Psalm 49: 10-11, 18-20).

Have we given thought to the question as to where we will be spending eternity after we pass away? The philosopher and scientist, Blaise Pascal, wrote: “The immortality of the soul is a matter which is of so great consequence to us and which touches us so profoundly that we must have lost all feeling to be indifferent about it.”

If we’re believers, are we ready to give an account to God concerning how we have lived our lives on earth? “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Relatively speaking, life on earth is only a “fraction of a second” compared to the period we will spend in eternity. Thinking about eternity forces us to reassess our values and goals in life. In the final analysis, are the things that we pursue and cherish in life worth our time and effort?

Jesus told the story of a rich man who pulled down his barns and built bigger ones, thinking that a bigger storehouse will comfortably provide for him the rest of his life. Now I can eat drink and be merry, he told himself. He was sadly mistaken when the Grim Reaper suddenly knocked on his door.

King Solomon had great wisdom and knowledge. He experienced all the pleasures a man could ever desire. And he had all the fame, power and trappings of success a man could ever wish. 

But, in his philosophical discourse on life, he concluded:

“Fear God and keep his commandments,
   for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil”

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

At the end of life’s journey, what counts is not how much of the world’s toys we have accumulated but how rich we are towards God.

In the final analysis, eternal things matter the most.

Have we realigned our priorities to focus on that which really matters – where the rubber meets the road?