Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Retorque After 50 Miles
After buying new tires and reading the information on the job ticket/invoice, I noticed a statement in caps at the bottom: “HAVE YOUR LUG NUTS RETORQUED AFTER THE FIRST 50 MILES.” The last time I purchased a new set of tires, I didn’t see those instructions. This was news to me so I made a mental note to come back and have them retorqued. About a week later, I walked into the shop and asked to have the lug nuts retorqued. Both service technicians went into shock and nearly fainted and fell to the floor! The one guy said, “I’ve worked here for years and never had anyone ask for this service.” I responded, “Well, you guys didn’t mention this to me, but I read it on the paperwork, so here I am.”
I was ignorant because I hadn’t previously read the warning. There was no one to blame but me, myself, and I. Having the lug nuts retorqued after installing new tires is critical. It ensures that your wheels remain securely fastened to the hub assembly. During the first few miles of driving, the wheel and hub components settle, and repeated heating/cooling from braking and road friction can cause slight loosening of the lug nuts. Plus, uneven torque can cause misalignment, leading to uneven tire wear, steering issues, and handling problems. The bottom line: Proper torque prevents future problems. It’s not the technicians’ job to warn the customer. It’s the customer’s responsibility to read the fine print and then return the vehicle to be serviced.
Apostle Paul warns young Timothy of the dangers lurking in life. “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT).
God’s Word is a valuable treasure box, full of instruction, admonition, warning, blessing, wisdom, etc. Apostle Paul informed Timothy of the importance of reading and obeying the valuable information in the Manual of Life.“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT). For under $20, you can purchase a nice Bible and give it away. If the individual reads it and believes it, his/her life will be changed forever.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), brilliant American theologian and preacher cautioned, “Be assiduous in reading the Holy Scriptures. This is the fountain whence all knowledge in divinity must be derived. Therefore, let not this treasure lie by you neglected.” Have you ever been in a situation where the wheels fell off in your life? It’s never too late to begin faithfully reading the Bible and practicing what it says. God’s Word is a safeguard against driving down the road of life with dangerous philosophies that aren’t biblical.
The Key: Believers, keep the lug nuts of your heart properly torqued with God’s Word.