Coco’s dear old Corsa was so far out of condition.

One of the problems of lockdown is not being able to go out on those long runs that that you need to take to remain healthy and in good trim. She had fallen from grace and was running at an average of only just 34mpg. You may recall how much better she thought she was doing last fall, but see what too much sitting around, drinking too much fuel, and not enough hard work has done. Letting her off the leash however has done wonders. After a good cross-country run she came back with an cumulative average of just over 40mpg. Well done, old girl, a much better performance.

We can all suffer like that. Drinking too much fuel, sitting around, not enough hard work and we become unfit. Study to show yourself approved, the apostle said. Don’t misunderstand the word study, it means examine, test, watch, work hard, be careful. He tells us elsewhere to strengthen the hands that hang down and the feeble knees to walk straight. And the Lord himself tells us that it will not be easy, we must take up a cross if we would follow him. But it is far better than that because he took up his own cross to die in our place. He did not leave us to try to do enough for ourselves, he did everything that was required on our behalf.

So trust in him, and one say it will not just be, as to Coco’s dear old Corsa: Well done, old girl, but you will still end up on the scrap heap, but rather: Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.