Recently I was driving my 2009 Toyota Highlander and my check engine light came on. Instead of going straight to the mechanic, I decided to do something a little different than usual and I went by the local NAPA store and purchased an OBD code reader. OBD stands for onboard diagnostics. An OBD reader (also called a diagnostic scanner or scan tool) is a vehicle diagnostic device that can be used to read the error memory and data that is recorded on your vehicle systems. After hooking it up and running a test, the reader returned a code of P1423, which refers to a Fuel Tank Gross Leak. Not being a mechanic, I looked this up and read, “This diagnosis detects leaks in the Evaporative Emission System (EVAP) purge line using engine intake manifold vacuum.” So, I went back into the NAPA store and asked the knowledgeable guys what I should do. One of the men said, “Well, the first thing you should do is check your gas cap and make sure that it is tightened properly. If that doesn’t work, you will need to do a smoke test.” I acknowledged that it was very possible that the gas cap needed tightening, but followed up by asking, “What is a smoke test?” He explained that a smoke test is a tool for determining whether your engine has any leaks, cracks, or unsealed hoses that will eventually cause major damage. Smoke is pumped through the system and if there are any vulnerable areas, the escaping smoke will reveal them. Although a smoke test can be time consuming and costly, in the long term, a couple hours and a couple hundred bucks can prevent you from a major engine failure.

Men often resist preventative maintenance because they cannot stomach spending time and money only to find out that they could have gotten a bit further down the road without making any repairs. This same mentality makes its way into our spiritual lives, marriages, parenting, and leadership. Taking proactive, intentional, and preventative steps to ensure the long-term health of your relationships is the manliest thing you can do. Like a “smoke test,” joining an IMPACT Cohort, becoming an active participant in a local church, going on a marriage retreat, or seeing a counselor might seem like a waste of time and money, but it is often the step you need to prevent a spiritual, emotional, or relational breakdown. Investing in accountability, rest, mentoring, and preventative maintenance is never a wasted expense.

When you get into an IMPACT Cohort, you are not only building friendships with other men, getting equipped with Biblical wisdom, and learning best practices for manhood, marriage, parenting, and leadership, you are also having a weekly diagnostic check up on the health of the relationships in your life that matter most. It's like a "smoke test" for your soul and your relationships. Taking the time to check the dashboard of your life and make sure that your engine is running smoothly is a worthy investment! Get started in an IMPACT Cohort today!