Keep Rubbing It

A couple of years ago I traveled to NW Louisiana to the home of a part-time black postal employee with a stunning blue 1997 Honda Goldwing (over which I planned to haggle).

Everything on the bike glistened. You could comb your hair using the chrome, and the blue paint sparkled. And yes, I fell victim to the bling. After an intense negotiation, his shiny bike netted him sixty-five $100 bills and me a Bill of Sale. 

Then I asked him how he KEPT EVERYTHING shiny and glistening. "I rub it. Then I rub it some more. And then I just keep rubbing it," he said with a big appreciative smile.

All smiles after the 10,000th Mile, May 9, 2011

Today, I was removing a myriad of bugs and a layer of grime from another motorcycle, my 2007 VTX1300 (above). I kept hearing my black friend say, "Rub it, and keep rubbing it." You know, now I can almost comb my locks with the shine on the chrome breather. His idea really works.

Rubbing is such a simple thing. It may be aided with chemicals to remove bugs, or polishes to increase shine, but it is the rubbing motion -- the 'wax on, wax off' -- this is the key.

And so it is with almost anything we do, especially for Jesus. The more we do simple, good things, the better we get, and the 'shinier' it is to God. 

Here our natural abilities can be used. Some of us can cook meals, while others can clean homes, mow lawns, cut logs after storms, etc. The more we do, the better we get at giving God the glory.

In the south, it is 'neighborly' to do good things. So Christians must do something extra to give God the glory. We must SAY something to our friends, and others we help, so they will be able to tell the difference.

Whatever your God-given ability is, "Rub it. Then rub it some more. And then just keep rubbing it."