In the Fall 2003, I was researching cars to purchase for my move to Hawaii. I wanted to find a car that was affordable and reliable. In keeping with the reliable theme, I also researched extended warranty plans because I planned to purchase a used car.

Once I arrived in Hawaii, I found my first choice on the first day we went car shopping. When asked about purchasing an extended warranty, I proudly accepted the additional coverage. But with the additional coverage, I would void the (then) current warranty from the manufacturer. I was a little concerned, but I wanted the longer coverage for the manufacturer warranty was due to expire within a year.

...that was January 31, 2004...

Over the last 3 1/2 years, I haven't used the extended warranty. I was a little weary with my decision to purchase the extended warranty, but based on the contract, I could make a reimbursement claim about six months before the contract expired in 2010 - so I was just waiting my time.

Now, for almost the entire time I owned the car, there has been a squeaking noise around the front right suspension. It doesn't occur all the time, but it's very annoying when it does. I've taken the vehicle to the dealership (DS1) and several car repair shops, but none of them could pinpoint the problem. The last two places I went to suggested I take the car back to the dealership because they could hear the squeaking but couldn't find the source. Instead of taking the car back to DS1, I took it to another one a few miles away.

When I initially spoke with the service advisor at the other dealership (DS2), he seemed very knowledgeable and supportive. He asked me if I had an extended warranty and I said 'yes' and reached into the glove compartment to give him the paperwork. When he saw the paperwork, he said he believed the company went bankrupt and I should contact the dealership (where I purchased the vehicle - DS0) to receive additional guidance. They called me a little later in the day and gave me an estimate of $2000 for parts and labor - I definitely need that warranty now!

I called DS0 (a few times), but I was getting the 'run-around.' I was at the point of going down there, but I decided to call them one last time. Instead of asking for help with the extended warranty (as I did before), I asked for a sales manager. The sales manager provided a number of one of their financiers to assist me. The financier confirmed the extended warranty company went bankrupt, and because I entered into the contract through them, they would honor my contract and would pay for any associated costs that my extended warranty would have covered. PRAISE GOD! She asked for the service advisor's name and phone number at DS2 so she could start the process. After a couple of days, the service advisor called me and said the new extended warranty company will pay for the parts and labor for my car and he would call me once the parts came in to schedule an appointment. PRAISE GOD! After all these years, my car will be freed from its squeaky prison - and I don't have to pay anything!

Just then the Lord reminded me of the importance of items like extended warranties, car insurance, and other forms of protection. Around us today each of us may have medical, dental, car, and life insurance. We purchase these policies to ensure unexpected situations will not bring us to financial ruin and will help us in a time of dire need. For many of us, we miss their importance until they're needed.

These types of protection reminded me of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Though I would never want us to consider salvation as an 'insurance policy,' how many of us miss the importance of being redeemed through the Blood of Jesus? Have we truly considered what that means?! Maybe we would view life a lot differently if we did. Maybe our words and deeds would be different. Sadly, many of us spend our days acting any way WE want without considering our redemption through Jesus Christ; His sacrifice; and what He desires of us; and what this TRULY means! (This is more than calling on God just when WE need Him.) Can we be taking advantage of GodÂ’s mercy and grace?!

1 Corinthians 6:19 (KJV) - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

One day we all will come to understand the importance of Jesus' sacrifice, but the question is if it'll be before Jesus returns or our life expires. Maybe we (in today's church) haven't come to terms with this. For many, the response to salvation through Jesus Christ doesn't come with the same commitment as those we read in the scriptures. Maybe there's a little more reflection in store for us all...

John 3:16 (KJV) - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.