The Ministry Of the Spare Tire

By Gobel Brockman


I remember a trip the family took to King's Island when our kids were little. We had a great time. On the way home, we got off the Shelbyville exit and began the drive through the country home. It started raining. Moments later, the tell-tale rumble in the back of the car let me know that we had a flat tire. There was no real safe place to pull over, so I had to move quickly to get the tire changed. I was very thankful that the spare was ready to go. It would have been a long walk for help. In the rain. Yuck.

Several years ago I read an article in a Christian magazine that had a profound impact on me. A man told the story of how he had committed his life to Christ when he was in his twenties. He had reached his sixties, and one day in prayer he was asking/complaining why God had never really used him in ministry, despite his desire to do so. He said that he felt the Holy Spirit gently speak to his heart,

     "Son, I did use you. You were my spare tire."

The man said he had no idea what The Lord was saying to him. Then he said the Holy Spirit continued: "Over the years I've used you in several ways. You've served in many church offices, filled in for Sunday School teachers on a moment's notice, helped pastors with visitations, and even been willing to preach when emergencies came up. You were my spare tire, and when I needed you, you were ready. Many people have been blessed by your life and ministry." The man said his heart was filled with joy as he realized that God had indeed used his life to glorify Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you've felt like that man. I know I have. Sometimes you may be tempted to wonder if you've really done anything for the Lord. It can be easy to feel insignificant when you look at what others are doing. 'Real' ministry is done by 'real' ministers - those who spend hours in prayer and Bible study, only after spending years in seminary. Those pastors who pastor the so-called 'mega-churches' - now THOSE guys are the real men of God. But just as that man needed to be reminded that everyone has a role in the Kingdom of God, so do we. There are people in your life who those pastors may never speak to - but YOU will. You don't need a seminary degree to tell people about Jesus, you just need a willingness to be used. As someone once wisely said, "God doesn't need your ability, just your availability."

I can attest to that. I have no Bible college or seminary degree. I've often said that the only reason I have a high school diploma is that the school didn't want to deal with me for another year. I don't consider myself a very intelligent person. And in spite of all of that, God has granted me the privilege over the years of serving as pastor at two churches and as a Chaplain at an alcohol and drug treatment center. In all three of those places, they were the ones to initiate the call. My wife and I have said for years that we have a 'spare tire' ministry. (And no, I don't mean the spare tire I have around my belly.) What I mean is that if you have a love for Jesus and a desire and willingness to be used by Him, you will be amazed at what God can accomplish through you. Don't let your lack of experience or expertise cause you to fear or doubt. As Christians, the God we serve is more than able to make us ready. When God says you're ready to roll, just roll with Him.

'Spare tire' - 'roll with Him'. Accidental pun. But you get the idea.