I love the stories, sometimes urban legends of the Corvette found in the
barn. Or the Harley found in the old shed. But the stories behind them are
more interesting, and can make the vehicle more valuable. Scenario one-Elmer
Treestump saves all his money from his paper route and from pop bottles, and
when he turns 18 goes out and buys a brand new 1967 Camaro. Two weeks later he
gets his letter saying “greetings” from his uncle, and is off to Viet Nam. He
parks the car in his real uncle’s barn, carefully covered, and lovingly stored
awaiting his return. But like too many did in those days, he doesn’t return,
KIA. And the car sits for 30 years in his uncle’s barn, after the uncle dies
and the aunt doesn’t remember it. Her grandsons are playing in the old barn
they were told to stay out of, and find this shiny new, old car sitting, just
like it was when its owner went to war. She thinks nothing of it, just an old
car, and it sits for another 10 years, until a great grandson inherits the barn
and its contents, and finds he owns a Camaro. And doing some research finds out
the story, cleans it up, gives it a tune up, fresh gas, and new tires and a
battery, and it runs. And soon this low mileage, less than 100 mile Camaro hits
the auction block, hoping to bring big money. Which it does, because the story
is more valuable than the car. Who doesn’t respect a vet, and one who gave all
for his country? The stories of the uncle, aunt, grandkids, and great grandkids
all add value to the car now, and it sells for way more than it is worth.
Especially being a six cylinder, 3 speed, with no options-even dog dish wheel
covers. But it is low miles, even still has factory air in the tires, with a
history, and its new owner takes it home, proud of his buy...and hoping to add
to the legacy. Undrivable because of low mile sand conditon. A true barn find,
but there are others that don’t end up as well, at least for the car. But they
make great stories.
In 1957 Tulsa, Oklahoma buried a 1957 Plymouth in a time capsule, to be
opened 50 years later. 2008 comes, and the city, amongst big promotion, opens
the capsule, only to find the car in two feet of mud, no one weather proofed the
capsule. It is rusty, filthy, and to the naked eye a piece of junk. But has no
miles and historical value. But locating the relatives of the lucky winner,
tickets were sold to raise money, they are located and found...but the car is a
disaster. It is more rust than bucket, but he has been offered $10,000 for it
as is, as an historical piece. But has chosen to keep it, trying to clean it up
and preserve it. He will spend more than it can ever be worth just cleaning it
up, and now is stuck with a prize, maybe a booby prize. Tulsa offered to buy
it, but he refused, and they wanted to make it part of a museum piece, they put
a new Prowler in the newest time capsule to be opened in 2048. The new owner,
in his 80’s refused comment as to wanting to buy a lottery ticket for it.
Again, the story being more interesting, and valuable than the car. Cleaner in
this case, too.
Now to Christians, Jesus is the original barn find. Born in a barn, He
came to save us from ours sins, and many have turned to Him. Sadly many have
turned from Him, and end up like the barn finds. For whatever reason, life
interfered, and they turned away from Jesus, living in sin when they can be
living in glory. But in both cases living under grace, fortunately grace
doesn’t depend on us. But yet they struggle through life miserable when they
don’t have to be. Feeling like the church has deserted them, and not welcomed
until they get their act together, sadly there is some truth in that. But many
labor under their own pride, “God will never forgive me again, I’ve sinned too
much.” Or “I’m in prison, I’m divorced, I’m gay, too rich. too poor,” and you
know the drill. You may have even recited it, or may be now. But please know,
that no matter where you try to hide from God, He knows where you are. And
wants you back, as you are. He will deal with the transformation of your heart
and mind, if you let Him. You may be the barn find He is looking for to show
His love and forgiveness through. And even old, rusted, and worn out, He still
loves you, and you still have a value and a purpose. Or maybe you walked away
and got rich, forgetting where your riches come from. He loves you too, and
welcomes you back. Low miles, high miles, or odometer broken, no matter your
condition you are valuable to Christ. And the story you have to tell, your
testimony will encourage many-why are you putting God off? A better deal than
forgiveness? You may be stuck in a time capsule of your past and you need to
shed it. Let Jesus shine light into your darkness, and give you life again.
And for the rest of us, what a joy to see a life turned around.
Sadly many churches and Christians kill their wounded. Denying them the
spiritual healthcare they need to be revived, remember that at your next
revival. You can only revive something that has been alive...and so I offer you
an invitation this morning. Jesus wants you back, what is it going to take to
obey what the spirit is telling you? When will you have had enough pain and
suffering, that you will turn to Jesus? Or will we find you years later, buried
beneath all your sin and dirt, when you didn’t have to be. What legacy are you
leaving for your family, just an old body wrapped in rags, or an old body
wrapped in grace? “Yes, I remember him, biggest louse I knew, then he got right
with Christ. You would never know he was the same person.” Jesus Christ is
still changing lives. So whether in a prison cell, or a prison of your own
making, turn back to Christ. We need you, we want you, and we love you. Tell
us about the time spent away from Christ, your testimony, and how He welcomed
you back. Start living today...there is no reason to be a casualty any
more.
People can make incredible barn finds, too. God knows just where you are,
and your condition when parked. He welcomes you back. Let Him throw a new
battery in you and charge your spirit, new tires to get you rolling, and a tune
up to get you energized. Let Him clean you up, and when someone asks, “wasn’t
that the guy they found in an old barn?” you can tell them of a God who offers
second chances to those who screwed up their first. One was born in a barn to
save others, some are born again by that same man to encourage others. The door
is open, the offer is made. Maybe you are the next barn find we can brag about,
what say you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com