There is only one car company left in Sweden today, Volvo, kept alive over
the years by the endless queue of drivers with no driving talent, and who
shouldn’t be allowed to drive on public roads. Volvo has been their choice of
cars since the fifties, based on their safety engineering, which today is
standard on all cars, even though Volvo helped pioneer it decades ago. The
Volvo plant helping to keep the lights burning in Gothenburg. Cars for people
who know nothing about cars and driving, and intend to stay that way. Just the
opposite of SAAB, the other Swedish auto manufacturer until GM pulled the plug
on them in 2010. SAAB, known for its winning rally cars, and unusual
engineering. Again safety, but built for sport, at least when compared to
Volvo. Did you know many safety devices are racing based? How many driver
types entered a SAAB for the first time, and couldn’t find the key, where it has
been placed for safety reasons on the floor behind the shifter. Accident
studies showed injuries from key when hitting the dash. But they were quirky
cars, and I had two friends that owned them. John bought a new 1976 that the
headlights went out on the first night. Driving home in the dark in Albuquerque
was a rally unto itself. They mysteriously came on the next morning, and never
failed again. It was also this car when parked in Gallup, that he found what he
thought was a drunk Indian on the hood. After no response to get off, John
pushed him, and he rolled off dead. Leaving blood all over the hood, and soon
the car was sold. Terry had a 1980 red one, that many a road trip was taken
in. Never maintained, it never failed, and I can remember one cold winter in
Colorado where it was the only car to start at –20. Maybe it felt at home in
the cold.
But one little known statistic about the SAAB automobile, is that their
owners were the best educated. Not an inexpensive car, high end professionals,
along with the Aspen Police bought them. Using that formula, maybe that
explains all the idiots in Hyundais, Kias, and SUV’s. Parts falling off, while
they leave you in a cloud of smoke, parts falling off. But still have the
talent to cut you off while using the cell phone or applying make-up. Or maybe
just trying to preserve the balance with Volvo, no one ever drove a Volvo fast,
SAABs were built for speed. With the possible exception of a trip around Sears
Point in my sister in law’s Volvo wagon, that my nephew kept shouting “Uncle
Mike, the wheels are coming off, this car never has been this fast.” They
shook, but never fell off. Can’t say if I felt safe though. And so it is the
best educated people, not necessarily the best drivers now have to seek
alternative rides, for the lights are out in Trollhattan forever.
Many cars are out there fighting for your hard earned dollar, or kroner.
Many attractive prices to go with the hype built up behind the ride. While the
Millenials seem to be more interested in gadgets than speed. Such are the
pitches of the ads, boasting about Wi Fi, great gas mileage, how many USB ports,
and the size of the computer screen. They think this sells cars, and to some it
does, but some of us still want performance. We want handling, acceleration,
and braking. Good gas mileage is expected, and we don’t want to pay too much.
Just like the God we seek. We want a god who can provide it all. Love, joy,
and peace. A God who listens to us and responds. One who forgives, one who
came down to so that we can be reunited with him. We want all the blessings we
can get, not just shallow promises. Yet some settle for an intellectual
experience, knowledge is the best, know your Bible and know God. Some want
happiness, leave me alone, and I’ll be fine. They seek a feel good God, who
loves them as they are, and won’t change them for the better. They see
themselves as the example. Some try to find God through good works, through
giving, and attendance at all church functions. But they end up finding a
hollow relationship, and the lights are out just like in Trollhattan. All the
education, attendance, and religiousness cannot come close to knowing Jesus. No
salvation without Christ. No peace, because there is no God, Jesus is the only
way. They seek safe gods, Volvo like gods who ignore their sin, and feel safe
within religion. They want performance, a selfish one, where God is like the
genie in the lamp granting their wishes, and getting mad when he doesn’t. They
have become Godlike in their own eyes, deceiving themselves.
They are like a missionary to China who was offered a job with big money to
join a company. He refused, the dollars got bigger, he finally told them the
money wasn’t the problem, the job was too small. How big is your calling and
relationship with God? Those who call upon the Lord as their God, know this.
We don’t try to limit our God, we try to become more like him, rather than
making him more like us. While some just live carelessly, claiming God is
looking out for them despite their lifestyle. With no concern for others, they
don’t see the residue they leave behind. They may have never been in an
accident, but may have caused many. They never look behind, but they never look
ahead either.
The youngest 4 year old who knows Jesus is much smarter than the highly
educated who denies him. Knowing Jesus opens us up to all we ever want to know,
and gains us access to the God of the universe. But it starts in the heart,
then transfixes the mind. Not the other way around. Many who try to prove the
absence of God end up proving he is who he says he is. God is not on trial, we
are. And on judgment day who would you rather have defend you, Jesus who took
your sins, or yourself still a sinner. Even in front of God, it is a fool who
has himself for a patient. And so just as it doesn’t take driving skill to own
a car, it takes no skill to know God. It is a choice we make, and I am glad I
chose Jesus. His performance is unmatched, styling is timeless, talk about
power, and handling....so what will it take to put you with Jesus today?
The lights are still out in Trollhattan, and without Jesus the light is out
in your life also. The smartest people in history are the ones who chose Jesus
Christ. Don’t fall prey to promises of safety, when you can have eternal
security in Jesus. Education, just like money will not get you to heaven. And
just because the Bible warns the rich doesn’t mean the poor have a free pass.
Jesus is the only way, so simple I can get it, free so I can afford it. Even
the disciples were in one Accord long before Honda. It is like trying to find
where to put the ignition key in a SAAB, it is there all the time, right in
front of you. Just a place you didn’t expect. Try Jesus today, read the
owner’s manual that comes with him, and check into a service, his church.
Knowing Jesus is the smart thing to do, no matter what you drive or ride. One
test ride and you are sold forever. Just ask a 4 year old. Now, doesn’t that
make you feel safer already?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com