What is MOT?
MOT stands for Ministry of Transport. When your car goes in for its MOT test it is graded against the qualifying structure laid out by the Ministry of Transport. The test checks a whole host of elements with a primary focus on a car’s safety features. The test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards
Every year in the UK, drivers are obliged to present their cars to a registered garage for its MOT test. If all is well, you receive the appropriate certificate – if not, you must attend to the fault(s) which the qualified mechanic has discovered. You must retest after all the repair works has been completed. The driver can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT or points deducted from their license.
Even though this is not legally necessary, some drivers also take their vehicles to the garage yearly, for a service. Different parts of the car are checked. The electrics, brakes, wipers, engine etc…. and whatever requires attention is attended to.
The same way as Christians, it is important that we check our spiritual life from time to time. Especially as such a time as this where the world calls it ‘locked down’ because we are restricted as to where we can go, what we can do at the same time observing social distancing. My senior pastor referred to this period as ‘waiting upon God’. Whiles waiting upon the Lord at this time, use the period to do a spiritual MOT.
You can do a spiritual examination. Ask yourself the following questions: –
- am I studying the word of God and making time to pray? – do I guard that time? (Ephesians 5:15-17)
- are my thoughts and deeds clean? (Romans 12:2)
- Is Christ the head of my home? is he the ‘unseen guest’ at every meal and the ‘silent listener’ to every conversation?
- do they know that I am a Christian at my workplace or neighbourhood?
- do I join in to all my church’s meetings (or attend church)- Sunday service and Bible studies? a
- do my colleagues find it easy or difficult to work with me as a Christian?
- am I generous in all areas of giving according to my ability? (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- am I growing in Christ?
- how do I receive instructions? Can I be corrected
- will I go for counselling if I need help?
Jeremiah 17: 8-10 says “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;
Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Perhaps most of us need to attend to that matter of self-examination – spiritual check-up at this time of waiting on the Lord! I believe as you do so, you quickly will realise that there are areas in your life that need fixing by the ‘Mechanic’. The Lord knows what is in your heart. As you pause to ask the Holy Spirit to examine you, He will reveal. Until that area is identified, it cannot be fixed. That is when grace comes in. It is only when you become aware of, and confess, your unworthiness, that you are made worthy.
A spiritual MOT test! You do not have to make it just a yearly affair! Be regular in your self-examination, and quick to deal with those matters that such an examination will reveal – knowing that you have God the Holy Spirit to check you. In fact, it is part of the process of sanctification.
Written by: lydiaspeaks_ministry