Flat Tires by Charles L. Paddock

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 3, 1928

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 55, No. 14.

Flat Tires

By Charles L. Paddock

CHARLES L. PADDOCK

Do you drive a car? If you do, you have had tire trouble and know the sensation it always brings. One peculiar thing about tire trouble is that it almost always comes unexpectedly. Usually it is when you are in a hurry and haven’t a moment to spare. It can happen at such unlikely times and places,—maybe on a dark, stormy night or when you are rushing to meet an appointment.

But when you have a flat tire, there is only one thing to do—pull out to the side of the road, and give it attention. We have all learned that.

BUMP, BUMP, BUMP

Not long ago we were on a long drive on a paved highway. The day was beautiful, and the scenery was grand. We were enjoying it immensely, and trying to get to the next large town by noon, when, all of a sudden, we hit a particularly rough place in the road, and the car began to bump, bump, bump. We began to complain of the road. But there was nothing wrong with the road—we had a flat tire, and had to stop for repairs. While we labored away at our unpleasant task, others, yes, many, many cars, went driving by with no thought of trouble.

But tire troubles come to all automobilists, rich and poor, old and young. On our journey through life we all have our troubles too. The rich are no more exempt than the poor. Their troubles may be of a different nature, but none the less vexing. When we are passing through our trials and afflictions, we often feel our troubles are greater than anyone else’s, and that the rest of the world is care free.

But when we get our tire repaired and start on our way again, we don’t drive long until we see some fellow tourist halted by the wayside with tire trouble.

And while we don’t get any pleasure out of seeing others in trouble, it does help us to realize that we are not the only ones who have trials and difficulties. We are told that “misery likes company.” That is not exactly our feeling. But when we see a fellow traveler whistling as he jacks up his car and changes a tire, it makes us ashamed for complaining when a little trouble was our lot.

And when we have had troubles and trials ourselves, it does soften our hearts and make us more sympathetic for our fellow mortals who may be passing through the furnace of affliction. If we don’t feel more sympathetic, we should. When you see a fellow motorist in the ditch or having tire trouble, do you step on the gas and give him a haughty look as you hurry by, or Good-Samaritan-like do you stop and give him a lift?

We never know, either, when we shall pick up a nail or a tack. Punctures and blow-outs come without warning. It may be on a pleasure trip when all is jolly and gay. So in life, trouble, trial, and affliction come unexpectedly. The days of cloud come mingled with the sunshine.

Just when our family budget seems to be working nicely and we feel we can lay a little money away, something happens,—some bad luck, some unforeseen expense,—and our plans are all spoiled.

Just when we feel we are getting the victory over some of our besetting sins, an unexpected temptation faces us, and we fall. Some of us have felt we were getting the mastery of our temper, when some one irritates us and there is a real blow-out; we fall.

But remember just then that you are not the only tourist on life’s highway. Others are having tire trouble too; they are struggling with tempers just as vicious as your own. Change your tire, and resume your journey. We have all sinned, and sins can be forgiven. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” Confess your sins, and start anew.

HOPE EVEN IN DEATH

Friends may fail you. But you are not the only one who has been betrayed by those you love. Jesus was betrayed by one of the twelve, denied by another, and at the great crisis of Calvary forsaken by all.

Loved ones may be snatched from us in death. But there is hope and courage to be had even in this experience. There is to be a resurrection. The Lord is preparing mansions for those who love Him, where they may reign throughout eternity.

Maybe you have failed in business,—not just a puncture, but a real blow-out,—and you feel there is no use trying again; no hope. Thousands of others have failed completely, tried again, and succeeded.

Did you ever notice how light-hearted you feel after the tire is repaired and you are on your way again? We always appreciate the sunshine more after a few days of rain and cloud and storm. Springtime seems all the more glorious after a long, cold winter.

We are all tourists on life’s highway, and sooner or later we may expect flat tires, troubles, disappointments, discouragements. But at the end of the journey we are promised a home where trouble will be no more. And we shall appreciate heaven all the more because of the trials which beset us.

When troubles thicken and trials beset you, just get down the Guidebook, pause by life’s highway for just a little while, and read the thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah and the twenty-first chapter of Revelation.

We shall soon be at the end of our journey, and our tire troubles will be over. May we be faithful and push on.