With The Ford Motor Company fazing out new car production, hopefully they
hang onto Mustang, longer, lower, and wider, the magic three words of cars when
growing up will be gone. Already the Wide Track Pontiac is long gone, my
Grandpa’s 1959 Electra 225, 225 inches long that is, barely fit in his garage,
the front bumper kissing the wall. Three across seating has been long gone in
American cars, replaced by buckets seats with consoles, once reserved for sports
cars. Years ago manufacturers went from 16 to 15 to 14 inch wheels, to make the
car ride lower and look longer, now only Low Riders have that look. At a car
show yesterday, it was shameful to see so many 1960’s cars stock except for 20
and 22” tires, disgusting. It seems that the low must be from custom cars, and
the higher the pickup sits, the more manly it is. Making cars of yesterday that
were large by comparison, now look small.
How many $50,000 pickups must sleep out each night because they cannot fit
in the garage? Too tall. Even my old Ranger barely fits, it used to be a
compact, now its replacement due out soon is the size of what a full size truck
used to be. Wonder how many garages it won’t sleep in? But the manufacturers
will give the public what we think we want, it used to be stepping up was going
from a Chevy to a Buick, now it refers to gaining entrance to the cabin of a
4x4. Remember the quote Henry Ford never made about black only Model T’s? Now
that is the only color available, stylishly called charcoal, or light black.
Give me the old brown leather or vinyl of the old trucks, bench seating, three
on the tree, rubber floor mats. A cup holder meant you held your drink in your
hand, alternately shifting hands while shifting gears. It seems the only thing
that is getting longer, lower, and wider is me! What a hit I must have been in
1954!
I can remember the view from my 1972 MG Midget, looking into the doors of
Chevy’s, reaching up to push the button at Sonic, and barely touching the ground
with my fingertips while at rest. Lower, no self respecting sports car was
longer or wider. Maybe I am just dating myself, as cars 100 years ago were
taller and longer, but not wider. I’m sure that someday at a car show with my
grandson, he will ask “Grandpa did you really own a car like that back in the
day?” And like my Grandpa did with me, we just went on, him telling me about
how it was. With a far away look in his eyes...
But how many of us are in it just for the ride? The first century church
were the ultimate rebels, giving in to Jesus, resisting sin, and willing to give
it all up for Christ. I have been part of too many conversations of “why can’t
we be like the first church?” only to look at pathetic men who hide their
Jesus. I visited a man’s office once, and on the secretary’s desk was a
Christian calendar. When I mentioned it, and the man I was to see, I told her
he was a Christian. Which made her aghast. “HIM?” And I let it drop. A true
Sunday Christian, who lives a double life at work and at home. Going with the
trend, I don’t think many of us have enough Jesus to have been part of the early
church. Programs, procedures, policies, and processes have become the religion
of today. Special effects, big screens, and special speakers, we lose the
intimacy Jesus offers. Even small groups may not be the answer, as they only
propigate the Sunday message. Where are the ones who in today’s generation, the
longer, lower, wider brothers and sisters who we look up to? Quick, who is your
Christian hero today? How many hide behind a pulpit, instead of reaching out
outside the church? The first church was on the road.....longer, for days and
weeks, lower, as they were cast down in public, and wider, as the gospel grew
through them. Men and women we look up to now, instead of taller in the
pulpit. I recently received an email to attend a Sunday morning church service
for the pastor’s new novel, and he will sign purchased copies afterwards. Has
evangelism changed or have I?
Christianity will never be stylish, no matter how many diamonds your cross
around your neck has. No matter the bumper sticker you proudly display in your
SUV while cutting someone off while talking on the phone. If your car can
barely fit in your garage, can your God fit into your life either? Or do you
leave Jesus out because he doesn’t fit? Tough questions, we cannot do it alone,
it takes the spirit. Who tells us that God’s strength is made perfect in our
weakness. From the Bible, not the pulpit. Not an ad, but advice from above.
Styles change, Jesus never does. And he will never be stylish until he becomes
real in your life. Pastor Rick who got saved after being a mainline preacher
for most of his life, used to tell us “man is taller when he is on his knees.”
He knew, and his testimony inspired many. He had lived through the trends, but
came back to Jesus. Who welcomes us all back today. I remember when Jesus was
big and religion small, now I cannot tell.
Some live for kicks, for speed, for style, for the moment. He who dies
with the most toys still dies. From cars to motorcycles to golf, to fashion to
movies and TV, we will always lust for what is out there. This is what happens
when we drift away from the Lord. What looks good might only feel good. I can
still feel the buttons on an old Cordoba’s seat in my back side. Stylish, yes,
but not for the long haul. Something to remember pulling your normal garages
sized vehicle into your garage tonight. Count the tall trucks out on the
street.....mine sleeps in a garage. Like my Jesus, safe and secure within, its
black seats not withstanding! If size truly matters, what does your life tell us
about the size of your God?
Stickers like a relationship with God can fade....any takers for a first
century church? We can always meet in the homes like they did, maybe the
garage. What do you think? And in Christ they were all in one Accord, which
fits in the garage. Hmmmmm...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com