Although I grew up in the Muscle Car era, my roots are in sports cars. At
the time I had a 1969 BMW 1600, Cooper an Opel Rallye, Simmons a John Player
Special Lotus Europa, and Timmy’s family owned a group of car dealerships, and
he drove an MGB. We were all winners when it came to bench racing, Cooper and I
pretty close in the turns, and Simmons flat walked away from us in the
straights. But Timmy in his MGB, or rather his family’s store’s MGB, laid claim
to being the only real sports car. It seems the legend goes that only real
sports cars come from England, and to qualify the top must go down. The Lotus
came close, being from England, but only the MGB could be driven topless. Which
changes the whole attitude when driving, and reinforces the British claim to
fame. The Germans may be faster, quicker, and more reliable, but nothing beats
an afternoon ride with the top down in a British sports car. The rest are
sporty, only one is a true sports car. Four cylinders of fun getting 20 mpg,
where you could see the cylinders and count them, you had access to the plugs,
and of course knew all the parts guys by name. And they knew you. But on those
sunny days when the top was down, nothing else mattered. Not 0-60, not the
fastest in the quarter, no top speed runs here. An intangible was at work, and
it had to be British. With the top down.
That doesn’t mean they had mastered the art of the collapsible top though.
A friend once ripped the windows out of my Midget one time putting the top down
incorrectly. It seems if it took less than five minutes to complete the task,
it wasn’t British. Or could be done alone, or even worse, when the unexpected
shower came, and it was easier to drive over 60 and keep the rain from hitting
you than stopping and getting soaked, while washing your interior. A date and I
once froze coming home from a picnic, she had to have the top down, and found
out the hard way. Any future dates were considered only if I had a car that
didn’t leak in the rain. But still the legacy remains, there is nothing quite
like top down motoring in a British sports car. If I need to explain, you’ve
never been caught in the rain with your top down.
Isaiah tells of a time when the wolf will eat with the lamb, the leopard
will be friends with the goat, and a lion with the yearling. A time to come
when all sin is gone from the world, and Jesus Christ rules and reigns. A time
when it won’t rain, my interpretation, when the road will empty, and I can ride
all I want. I do hope that there will be an MG or two there also, to truly
experience the driving sensation that escapes us here so often. We do many
things based on conditions, like weather, money, time, and our wife’s
permission, in heaven I cannot see struggling with a top in a shower. Adam and
Eve walked with God in the garden, it never rained until Noah, God providing a
mist for the trees and flowers. I could see them in an MGB, top down, meeting
with God, any topic but the weather. All the animals gathered around, no need
for protection, they were still perfect, no sin entered the world yet. We
forget that with it sin brought aggression, pride, and competition, and suddenly
all bets were off, including the weather. To some this is a metaphor, of the
peace we get when knowing Jesus, to some a true description of what will
happen. Both are and can be reality for the Christian, but yet pride rears its
ugly head. Even in the best of churches, or families, when people are involved,
the lions go hunting, and the lambs flee.
Years ago I consulted the elders of my church about a man who owed me money
and couldn’t pay. Talking with each one, 4 or 5, each one gave me a different
answer, with one commonality, sue the sucker. Make him pay. Teach him a
lesson. Which confused this young Christian, so turning to God, always the last
resort when it should be the first, I forgave him. It wasn’t about the money,
it was about my pride. And to not loan, but give as scripture instructs. I was
free from the burden, and topless driving was back. Nothing between me and
God. No roof to protect, no AC to cool or heater to comfort. I found the
answer in Jesus, when his spirit directed me. A valuable lesson, topless
motoring in the kingdom. A lion may lay with the lamb then, but I can have the
peace I need now. Top down, wind in my face, enjoying the ride.
Just like the cars we drove, many were bought on spec, on reputation, or
affordability. Seems we approach God the same way, conditionally. Yet he loves
unconditionally, he goes beyond the written word so commonly quoted to our
advantage, his reputation is flawless, and his riches are endless. Like the 10
virgins, who needed oil in their lamps, he keeps the oil in our engines, no
matter how much they mark their spot. We need the oil of his spirit in our
lives, some are a little low, some need changing, some a new dipstick before
they become one. But God provides, so why go anywhere else?
I believe that one day the Ford will lie down with the Chevy, BMW with
Mercedes Benz, and MG will be resurrected. But I am glad that on that day I
will be too. And I am now. Maybe that is what makes topless driving so
desirable, it encompasses all the best of driving, and leaves nothing between us
and God. But lest we all run out and buy British, remember the rain falls on
the just and the unjust. Which is why we need Jesus, he protects us from the
storms, yet we can see him better on sunny days. A relationship not based on
spec, or on what he can do, but based on who he is. After all, isn’t being the
son of God enough to have our worship? So maybe the motto of the MG tells us
why it the ultimate British sports car, Safety Fast. Sounds like God to me.
All others, close the windows and turn on the air. I wonder, does MG stand for
Mighty God? Wanna bet the elders drove sedans....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25bikr.blogspot.com