There are some things we do not do often…
… at least not often enough to be proficient. Seldom touched 
skills can grow hazy, and even lazily used when it is time to put them to use. It’s like never forgetting how to ride a bike, but get back on one after many years of non-use then you teeter around like a kid learning for the first time. A little more practice and it’s like you have never been off the bike.
Water piped out of ground is often full of minerals and must be filtered out before use – filters must be replaced periodically else they clog and the flow is choked.
A frequently used skill or tool is like having a made up mind about what you believe. It becomes rusty without use, or left to the elements. A made up mind gives you a sound platform on which to use, or be used.
Rev Brian Kinsey said something in the men’s meeting at the Washington Summer Conference. It goes something like this, “Even when all others lose their witness, I will not back down from the truth. There is no Plan B.” Sounds like he has a made up mind!
“A rusty nail placed near a faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy.” ~Walter Scott
The prophet Elijah was in a similar position. He is the only prophet left in Israel to stand up to 450 prophets of Baal.
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. (22) Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. (1 Kings 18:21-22, ESV)Read the rest of the story and you see God responding to a man with a made up mind!
I watch many people living between two opinions of Christian living. Somewhere, I believe, they have gotten rusty in their commitment to God – and this often keeps them from being used where God has drawn them. From a world full of temptation, to a God of holiness. There is a rusty view of how far they walk from the world, and how close they walk to God.
Rust disintegrates the most worthy opponent.
Most of our rust comes from misplaced focus of direction, and misappropriated application of will, and not being diligent in using what God has given us? Where do you put your focus? What effort do you put into your walk with God? Prayer? Fasting? Private worship? Devotion? Most of what we need to do is not just for ourselves, but most of what we do in life affects others around us.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Mathew 6:19-21, ESV)We treasure where our focus is placed. Continually, our value is shown to everyone that is watching how we live, and where our focus is. Focus on things below and your resulting treasure can be stolen or rusted. Focus on things in heaven, and your resulting treasure will always be stored away for future use.