If you follow auctions at all, you can tell the pulse of the market for
cars and motorcycles. Cars have now become so expensive that only the
privileged few can afford them, whoever thought between $100,000 and $1 million
for a MOPAR Barracuda that they only made 7 of? Because no one wanted them when
new? But now scarcity adds to value, and the few who have the much can afford
to own one. Now each car sent to auction has a perceived value, one that the
owner has in his mind that the car is worth. Add or subtract the sentimental
value, mileage, condition, rarity, and desirability, and you have a value for
the car. And the seller then can place a reserve on the car, a number that
until it obtained in a bid, he doesn’t have to sell the car. But some sell at
no reserve, or lower the reserve when the bidding gets close, to sell the car.
But few cars sell at no reserve, as many do not wish to gamble on the bidders
that day, have set a number they need to get for the car, or feel it is really
worth. And if not bid to the reserve, take it home. So selling at no reserve
can really heat up the bidding, or depress the value of the car, it comes down
to what the bidders are willing to pay for the car that day. Buy for love, sell
for money....
But now that cars have reached a higher buy in plateau, old trucks are
taking over, and the prices are going sky high. $50k for an old Chevy or Ford?
Again the market is telling us what sells, and old trucks are hot. The one time
workhorse of America, the work truck, the one abused and under maintained, the
one that ran until it died, is now collectible. And even parts only trucks sell
for $10k, and whereas they were once parts trucks, as the supply dwindles, they
are restored. And a buyer is ready in each case. But with their prices outta
sight, now motorcycles are moving in, and moving up. Look at the ridiculous
prices paid for old Harleys, Indians, and Triumphs. Just to sit and not be
ridden, and if it happened to be owned by one Terrence Steven McQueen, you will
pay double, to put your seat where his sat, but never get ridden. So many car,
trucks, and motorcycles that were once used as transportation are now
collectible, and sit unridden, undriven, but highly cared for, far from their
initial use. We all like to look at them, but it is more fun to drive them, to
see how fast they really perform, and remember how far we have really come, or
not come. For somewhere between memory and perception lies truth, and the
answer to “what’ll she do?”
But recently a new class of collector vehicles is emerging, ones that have
patina, and are left as found. High miles, maybe a barn find, they are not
restored, and the stories they tell by looking at them add value. Compared to
an over restored car, that is restored better than it ever left the factory, old
unrestored cars tell a story. From lube and oil stickers on door jams, to
window sills worn form arm resting on them, to pedals worn, and paint faded,
they tell a story better. Because they have one. And the proof is there, push
an old button on the radio, maybe 77 WABC comes up, or WOR, and you can be given
an insight to the driver. They have character, and a class all their own,
because they are real. Because they have a story to tell, and spending some
time with them the story is told. A value not worht dollars and sense, but one
that no value can be placed on.
Life is like that. So is walking with the Lord. We are advised to seek
out and listen to advice from the older men and women. To seek wisdom from
them, to gain information to help make decisions, and to pass it on to others.
Driving an old car from the 40’s may seem slow at 50, but when you remember the
speed limit was only 35-45, the car seems to fit the speed. But if it tries to
keep pace with today’s speeds, it can’t, and will suffer if it does. So the
Bible also advises us to help the older ones, to aid them, and learn from them.
Going through some old cook books from my Grandma, from when she was married in
the 1920’s, that same recipe works today. Real ingredients, when home made was
all there was, as store bought was still a decade away. A glimpse into
yesterday that still works today. Looking back to look ahead, do you?
It has been written that the chemicals in the human body add up to about
$20, more in California. But Jesus bought us with a price, at no reserve. No
matter how high the bidding for your soul, he tops it. He calls it love, and
his forgiveness is like no other. For your value is not based on condition, but
him, and he is priceless. He takes the old bodies, old minds, old hearts, and
makes them new. He renews the spirit, giving it life and value. He renews the
mind, giving insight and wisdom not found any other place. And he forgives,
loving you as you are, but not wishing to leave you that way. And we get new
bodies some day, perfect, not restored, but new. No patina in heaven, and the
reserve has been lifted. Others may know about us, but he loves us.
And we become bond slaves, not a slave bought, but a slave who offers their
allegiance to him. Our choice. At one time a hole in the ear lobe to signify
it, now a changed heart, shown in action and attitude. We are changed, yet many
live like a high priced collector car, hidden away. Our initial purpose when
created was to worship God, to get out and share his love with others, yet many
hide in churches, stay home and don’t participate. And we miss the story of
their testimony, and the blessings God has planned to share through them.
Cruise nights are popular now, bringing the old cars out and sharing the
stories, reliving the good old days. If it works for cars and trucks, why can’t
it work with testimonies? How about a cruise night for Jesus? Before and after
pictures of who you were, and how Jesus changed you? Many will gather around a
1954 Corvette, imagining how it was, how about a 1954 Mike sharing how it was?
First hand? Maybe for the first time coming to grips with how valuable you
really are, and the price Jesus paid for your soul. Yet some will go the beauty
parlor route, the nip and tuck route, and even the personal trainer route. And
wonder why their wine skinned life cracks under pressure? Spend some time with
Jesus today, tell him your story, let him add details you forgot, and then tell
others. Tell them at no reserve, for no value can be assessed for your
testimony. In real estate and collector cars you didn’t pay too much, you just
bought too soon. God’s timing is always right on, the stories told in scripture
thousands of years old, yet contemporary.
Somewhere under all the grease and oil of life lies a heart. One that
needs changing. One that is crying out for God. And only Jesus can fulfill
it. Today is the day of salvation, let the restoration begin. Add value to
your life that no one else can, and that no one else could afford to. When the
price for your soul came up, only Jesus had the reserves to purchase it. And he
still does today. Jesus saves, and someone once said “and at today’s prices
that’s a miracle.” Bidding at auction will tell you what a car is worth, only
Jesus knows the value of life. Put a sold sticker on your soul, sold out to
Jesus. No matter how much you think you are worth, you will only true value in
Christ. Patina is back in style, the patina of a lost soul never lost its value
to him. And you always get taken home.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com