How many times were you out in your Dad’s car, feeling cool driving a car
way above your income and social level, when you met, or hoped to meet the
attractive girl standing in front of the bowling alley, or Korvettes? You drove
a little slower, maybe cranked up the tunes from the powerful AM radio, and made
sure she noticed you, well really the car you were driving. You finally make
eye contact after your third or fourth trip around, and she notices. Finally.
Stopping you ask her “wanna ride?” she says yes, and the next thing you know she
is in the front seat, riding next to you, even if it three feet way. She likes
the car, notices how cool it is, and asks if it is yours. Being a sophisticated
17, you lie Yes, do you like it?” She nods approvingly, you decide to go get a
Coke, and you head out. She is beaming at you, others notice her in the front
seat, and you drive, really cruise, as you want everyone to see you with her.
Or is it her with you? Well, almost everyone, stopping at a light, your wise
guy, read immature friends pull up in their multi colored VW bug, radio blaring,
and notice you. And the girl. But notice the car first, “Hey man, your dad
must be outta town to let you be driving his new car....” the light changes, and
suddenly so does her attitude, and she asks to be dropped off. The thrill of a
successful pick up gone, along with the first thrill of ownership. It will be
awhile until you don’t want to kill your friends, even longer until you feel
confident enough to go cruise for girls at the shopping center, obviously the
word is out about you by now, and back to driving your mom’s grocery getter. It
is tough to pick up girls in the station wagon, and no one would ever admit it
was their car, at least not at 17!
But the day comes, when you buy your first car. Bought and paid for by
you, even has your name on the title. And on the insurance. But to own it, and
keep it running and insured, you work a lot of hours nights and after school.
Little time to cruise, and free time means washing and polishing, even if the
paint is thin, the tires without white walls, and the radio sitting next to you,
a portable, the dash one lights up, just no sound. But it is yours, and soon
you are doing little things. Seat covers, a used radio now works, you fix the
oil leak, so you no longer smell like burning oil, and one night , you actually
encounter a girl who wants to ride in your car, just for you. And inside you
wonder if something is the matter with her. It shows pride of ownership, and
although a little rough, so is your sophistication. And no embarrassing friends
to make fun of you at a light, in fact paybacks have been sweet, and often. It
may not be the car your father drives, but it is yours, and your pride of
ownership shows. You drive it different, notice where you park, and it becomes
an extension of who you are. You date girls who are faster than it is, but it
is classier. A few speed shop decals, one from Honest Charlie’s show you are
cool, even if the header sound is because the muffler has a hole in it. Soon an
8-track player follows, a steady girl, and most of your money goes to her
instead. But you never forget your first car, your really true first love.
There will be more, but it will be the one all others will be judged against.
The thrill of ownership, and it is all yours.
But along with being all yours goes repairs, insurance, which you are told
will go down at age 26, if only you make it, so much maintenance is done by you
and a friend who knows about cars. You have control of what goes into the car,
or rather your part time pay check does. Both the good and the bad are yours,
and an occasional loan from your dad helps you along. “I’ll pay you back next
payday dad,” read maybe at 26, when I have the money due to reduced insurance
rates. You are growing up, the car growing old, and you are learning about life
while living it. Much different than in social studies, where you read about
the perfect family. Did Ward Cleaver ever go through such turmoil? Did Father
really know best? Was Howard Cunningham ahead of the curve with his De Soto?
How did Archie Bunker ever meet Edith without a car? And TV looked so real at
one time....
And you find out life is more than a 30 minute sit com. That it is real,
with bills to pay, girl friends to budget for, and cars to maintain, all while
trying to impress your friends. “If only I was rich...” but dream on. The rich
kids don’t have the same problems, or do they? When we come to Christ, many are
told everything will be alright. Jesus will take care of everything, then after
church one night, you go out and you have a flat. “Thanks a lot God,” you
think. “I thought you would take care of everything.” Were your friends and
Bible study teachers wrong? I don’t remember signing up for trouble? But this
is exactly what you signed up for, for a God who loves you, and will be there
when you encounter problems. Even self inflicted ones. Jesus told us “in this
world you will have tribulation,” aka troubles. And every problem you have
should boost your faith, as it is written you will. Being saved doesn’t give
you a free pass on problems, but someone to turn to when you encounter one. To
show you the way. Like a phone call to your father when you run out of gas, he
will answer. But it takes obedience to follow his solutions. And as you get
closer to God, you stay out of messy situations you once would drive head long
into. You rely on the spirit guiding you, your conscience reminding about who
you date. Where you park, and what you spend your paycheck on. Even down to
what you ride or drive, God is involved, but only when you let him, for his good
advice only works if taken. Remember that when you call out to him “Lord help
me!” As you patiently wait for his answer. Patiently, remember.
For as you get closer to God you see sin differently, and when you do, you
change your lifestyle. Maybe even your car, as you spend your money wise, and
God knows your desire for a cool car, and some how fulfills it. In a way you
would never expect. You see when you come to Christ, you enjoy the thrill of
ownership in God. You belong to him, and you become a child of God. And
because you are his, you gain access to all things of God, including wisdom.
Which you find more valuable than gold. And the closer you follow, the deeper
the relationship, and when the tire is flat, you give it over to Jesus. Who
reminded you to check your spare that afternoon....were you listening? God
takes care of his own, remember to thank him the next time that jerk, I mean
person stops suddenly in front of you. And you miss him by inches. Thanks
Lord, for he knew and stopped you. That girl you have been eying, and thinks
you are a jerk. She has two kids, and is looking for a father. The job you had
to have, you lose out on, only to find the company moves out of state 6 months
later. From jobs, to cars, to girls, you find God knows best. And who knows,
that one that has been eying you, just may have a father who owns a huge
business, loves his daughter and will see her husband is well taken care of, and
given a company car. All expenses paid. But you have to know where to look,
and looking to Jesus first, letting his spirit guide you is the best first
step.
Just like it was a thrill to see your name on the title of your first car,
your name written in the book of life by God’s own hand is better. The best
actually. And he has the resources to take care of you, unlike your first car.
You may be rough around the edges now, but growing in Christ will take care of
that. And when Jesus tells his father that you are his, the love is sealed
forever. No more cruising for God, he is right there with you, and will never
leave you. If only cars and girls was so easy. Skirts and wheels always have
and always will be an invitation to trouble.
Like the TV show, Father in heaven Knows Best. And you don’t have to leave
it to anyone else. Happy Days are here in Christ, aaayyy! And maybe Archie
should remember something the next time he calls her a dingbat. She chose him!
And God chose us. Will you choose him? The thrill of ownership never will mean
so much as being a child of God. Now about those tribulations Lord....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com