It’s 1968 and the world of autos is all about horsepower, big motors, big
torque, and big insurance premiums. When out of Germany BMW introduces the
1600/2002, and the sports car world goes crazy for it. A small 96 cubic inch or
110 cubic inch engine, with horses to match the cubes, soon the car magazines
are raving about them, and dealerships appear, going from old garages to modern
facilities almost overnight. The owners flash their high beams like bikers wave
to each other, clubs are formed, performance parts made, and soon they go
racing, and win. They are comfortable, handle great, can get 25 mpg on premium,
and have one factor few other cars have, the are fun to drive. The owners know
the B in BMW stands for Bavaria, while everyone else wonders “British what?”
They are the car that put BMW on the map, and are expensive if one is found
today, most either were raced to death or rusted away-with more rusting than
raced. I was one of the fortunate ones to have one, a 1969 1600, and I can tell
you, many times I wish I had that car back, for just one more trip through the
hills, leaving Corvettes and other sporty cars in my wake...but BMW has changed,
and so have I.
This is the year of the road trip by car for me. 5815 miles by Mustang to
Jersey in March, and another 6377 miles by Kia in July. A total of 31 states
seen, and our first vacation by car in 41 years of marriage. We considered the
Mustang again, but when we needed another car and bought a Kia Soul, it
immediately became the choice for the road trip. The car that like the 2002 put
BMW in the headlines, the Soul did the same for Kia. With a 1600 cc motor with
130 horses, and all the electronic goodies of the Mustang, it got us 30 mpg,
made it over the 9000’ passes in Colorado, across the desert in 108 degree heat,
and from the Massabi Range to Lolo Pass never let us down. Over dirt and mud
where road building was going on in Montana, to a surprise monsoon in
Albuquerque, it just kept going, was comfortable, and held its own in the Boom
Towns of North Dakota. Add the free trial of Sirius radio, Classic vinyl, and
we had all the music from 1969 without all the 8-tracks and their
interruptions. We saw them everywhere, not abused like many Jap cars, but
respected, with dealers in remote areas. But what the Soul was was fun, it had
the soul of my BMW and I found the comparisons alike. Both 1600 cc, both small
and sporty, both handle well, and both had a sense of fun. You may call me
crazy, and maybe I am, but the Kia Soul has the soul of the old BMW without all
the headaches or heartaches. It is fun to drive, and we would not hesitate to
take it on the road again. Yes, there were times when I needed more hamsters,
‘er horsepower, but we just learned to time our passes better. In 50 years cars
have changed, so has the road, and so has the driver. Maybe the BMW 2002 was
ahead of its time, or the car for its time, or the Kia just at the right time.
But for a lot less money and hassle, you can have the Soul of a BMW, and a lot
more fun. I may be nuts, but I had both, and can tell from experience, can you
do the same?
In John 17 we find Jesus praying for the unity of the church. Even then he
could see the fractures in the belief system, how some would change the gospel
to fit themselves, how religion would change man instead of the spirit, and how
many false teachers would appear, and still do today. As you read through the
Bible you find as you get closer to Revelation, the amount of warnings abut
false teachers, with Paul mentioning some by name, to increase. Even throughout
the Old Testament God warns us, but few heeded the warning. Today it seems with
a pastor hiding behind a pulpit and feeding a watered down gospel it keeps the
congregation tithing, but starving for the truth. In many cases it is hard to
tell Christians from non-believers, the drinking, cussing,and divorce rate are
common to the world. Yet in an isolated church environment they are fed baby
food, and many times taught by rote rather than the spirit. The great promises
of God in Jeremiah 29 told, we all love the promises of great blessings, but
finish the chapter, it warns of being led astray and the penalties of doing so.
That ought to cheer you up, so it is ignored. Yet Scripture tells us to be wise
as serpents, yet gentle as lambs. We end up stupid sheep, and bitter at the
world, just don’t take me out of my safe environment. When Jesus talks of unity
it is the church one in the spirit, not in the world. We get it backward, we
offer like minded men, and anyone who tells the truth is made to feel not
wanted, and usually isn’t. The world confuses the church with Jesus, and he
gets the bad rap the church deserves. “I in them, and them in me,” Jesus says,
do you agree?
Today the one thing missing from the church is fun. Oh we have programs
and processes, and procedures to insure success, but is being a Christian fun
for you? It ought to be, isn’t the promise of heaven enough to bring a smile to
your face? Isn’t being filled with the spirit a joy? isn’t seeing the words of
Jesus coming alive in your life exciting? Has it been so long between blessings
you miss the little ones daily? Is your Bible only a study tool, with pressure
added to keep up, or do you read it unencumbered, as the spirit reveals the
mysteries of Christ? If anyone should be having fun it is us! Too many are
driving a BMW with no soul. Are we more linked to what we drive than to whom we
believe in?
And so a car comes along that is fun to drive, and we flock to it. But
soon it changes, and loses its character. Don’t let religion ruin your
relationship with Jesus. Question what you are taught, ask the spirit to guide,
and don’t be afraid to follow Jesus, no matter what men may say about him or
you. Life on earth is a road trip, and we get to choose, all show and no go
religion, or the exciting life of living in Christ. We never would have chosen
a Soul on our own, but God knew, we took a chance and we were blessed. Like
cars, I have tried the denominational route, only to be disappointed. In one
small town in Minnesota with 15,000 people, it had six different Lutheran
churches. If one denomination cannot get along, what message are they sending
about Jesus? Streets lined with churches, but where is Jesus? He may be right
in front of you, only your ego will not let you see him. The church will always
be into numbers, Jesus is into you. There is a difference, and he tells us it
is so, or he would not have told us. Pick up your Bible and just read it today,
enjoy the few seconds alone with God. Have some fun, we will in heaven, and
Jesus promises us “on earth as it is in heaven.” Be in one Accord, or Kia or
BMW, or a motorcycle, but be in Christ first. Abide in the vine he prepares for
us, and see our lives blossom. Know Jesus from experience, and when someone
questions you, you can answer from knowing him instead of knowing about him.
For it is not what goes into a man, but what comes out of a man that counts.
The purpose of unity in the spirit is to tell the world who sent us out in
it. That Jesus loves us and the world will see. That he is the revelation of
the living God, of the invisible, of the things not seen yet believed. You may
have the soul of a BMW, maybe it is time to get out and enjoy the ride. For
like the Kia Soul, the gospel is affordable and simple. So we can get it. Fun
at the same time! I think maybe a road test will prove it all, see you on the
road. Jesus did....and still does.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com