Diary of a Retired Parson
Christopher Lewis-Jenkins is rounding a learning curve
I recently bought an electric car and had a home charger installed, having thought it was about time I did something for the planet.
After some months I realised that the claims by the motor company and car dealer were, to say the least, not quite correct. 250 miles was claimed - nowhere near that. It was never explained that cold weather, the rain and the wind affect the charge and the running of the car.
Some weeks ago my wife and I went to look after our grandsons in Porthcawl which is 74 miles from our home. We took our grandsons to school, picked them up for lunch, took them back to school and picked them up in the afternoon, a further 40 miles in the car
So, it turned out we didn’t have enough energy in the car to get home. Fortunately we looked online for the nearest fast-charging station which was in St Clears leaving us just 17 miles in the tank, so to speak. We charged up and got home safely.
The reason I’m telling you this is that we have had to learn how to drive our new car, thinking whether to use the eco, sport or standard button in drive mode; to not use the accelerator when going downhill but just coast, so as not to use the electric.
To tell you the truth, it’s made me paranoid but I’ve come to realise that I just have to learn a new skill; to read the instruction book more than I used to when I had a petrol car. And it has reminded me of my relationship, as a Christian, with God.
It has made me realise that when I became a Christian and listened to God’s call and acted on it, I had to learn new skills, I had to read God’s manual, the Bible, and act on it. Sometimes it has made me paranoid, scared sometimes, when I forget that God is in charge, and not me. Or as the prophet Micah says better than me, “What does the Lord require of me but to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly before your God”
Only when we realise, and let God take the wheel, can we do His will, and not have to constantly look for a charger to boost our batteries.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I just have to get used to driving a new way, and enjoy it.