Recently, while driving, I dreaded looking at my odometer because it was coming up on 60,000 miles. That milestone has always been troubling to me -- it means getting out the manual and figuring out what kind of long-term maintenance I need to take care of. I don't like it, because it forces me to make choices that can be expensive. You wonder if it is really necessary, and it causes you to ask, "Do I really want to keep this car anyway?" It would be so easy to just keep going and hope nothing bad will happen.

My own personal odometer seems to be spinning almost out of control. Next June, I will be coming up on my 50th birthday. My engine is a little harder to start in the morning, the body is starting to show some rust and I could really use a good tune-up myself. I tend to worry a lot and find it easy to get distracted from the things I know are really important.

What am I to do? Well, it would be wise for me to get out my own manual, the Bible, and look for answers. The remedy for my long-term Christian maintenance is clear: Living a life of examination, going to the Lord for guidance through prayer and dying to my worldly desires. It is like we recently discussed in Sunday School, studying C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. I need to finally accept that being "good" will never be "good enough." Jesus doesn't want me to be good, He wants all of me, just as He gave all of Himself.

What about your relationship with our church? Does it feel like you are driving with bald tires, an almost empty tank of gas and brakes that squeak every time you come to a stop? When you check your oil, do you find you are a couple of quarts low?

Our church is at an exciting breaking-out point. We have the leadership in place and the vision to do some great things at the corner of 176 and St. Mary's Road. To get things going, we need the whole congregation to be tuned up and tuned in to God's will for us. As we know, the church is not a place to go to -- the church is the members themselves. It will be we, the members, who once again make Libertyville a vibrant place where we are proud to worship.

Members of the Stewardship Committee often say they are not primarily focused on members' giving and pledges. Even if we had an overabundance of giving, it still wouldn't make our church more Christ-like. True stewardship means giving the whole package. If visitors can see Christ on display in our members' actions and words, they will respond. 

Here are the things I see a well-tuned member doing in a healthy church:

• Participating in Bible Study options -- Immersing yourself in the Word helps you to live the Word.
• Volunteering your time -- Unselfish giving teaches you humility.
• Christian fellowship -- Learning from and encouraging others is a growing process.
• Developing your prayer life -- Communication with God is essential to understanding and following His will.
• Outreach -- When you see that new member come in the door, go over and great them. The same with members you rarely see. Let them know you miss them.
• Regular worship -- Your commitment is a beacon to others.
• Encouragement -- When you see something at church that moves you, let yourself be heard.Thank the pastor for a sermon that touched you, let the choir know they did a great job this morning, talk to the volunteer who spends his or her time with your children, and isn't this a great newsletter!
• Giving -- Even though giving is not the most important part of your Christian life, it still shows your obedience to God's will. Examine your giving, read what the Bible says about giving, pray about it and feel good about it.