High Maintenance or Low Maintenance - Dawn Weber
One year ago this July, we moved from our house of 28 years to a new house in a different
location. As we looked at properties, the realtors would mention that “this property has low
maintenance. The appliances are new. There is a service that cuts the grass and maintains your
yard.” The older homes usually were tagged as high maintenance meaning they needing more
upkeep, more work, more attention.
The first time I heard the phrase low maintenance, it reminded me of a lady in a church my
husband pastored. She said, “Oh, you don’t need to visit us or worry about us, we’re low
maintenance.” She meant that they would be faithful to church, give their tithe and missions,
help however they could.
When you think about maintenance, you think of upkeep, maintaining or preserving something.
A relationship is worth the maintenance it takes to preserve it and help it grow. We have many
relationships: wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. Do you maintain and preserve the
relationships in your life? Some phrases from God’s Word come to mind. In Genesis, He says a
wife should be a help meet for her husband. In Proverbs, we are reminded that a friend sticks
closer than a brother. Can you think of other verses about relationships?
Do those you have relationships with think you are low maintenance or high maintenance? Are
you focused on others or you? You might think that is a pretty judgmental question, but
Philippians 2:4 says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others.” This is a question only you can answer in your own heart.
More importantly, how would God describe me—am I low maintenance or high maintenance?
Am I faithful to walk with him, to worship and converse with Him in prayer? Do I live to
please him? Or, when I pray does He say, “What did you say your name was?” Just kidding.
Do you have time in your day and week when you worship Him for who he is? Or, do you
wonder why God doesn’t bless you like He does your friend? During testimony time, do you
thank the Lord for something then turn the focus from Him to you and what a good Christian
you are?
We live in a “selfie” generation where our culture puts the focus on me, mine and what I can get
for myself. Let’s work to not let the culture of our day-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes
and the pride of life (I John 2:16)—seep into our thinking. It makes us self-centered and high
maintenance. Let’s give the pre-eminence to the One who deserves all the praise and glory and
honor, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.