We took Theresa's Mustang into the dealer the other day for some repairs. And they referred to it as the old Mustang. Which hurt my pride at first, because we don't think of it as old. Yes, it's a 2001, and we have had it for ten years, and intend to keep it, but I think of an old Mustang like one from the sixties. But we got over it, and now that is how we refer to it, affectionately, of course. The old Mustang, and from some things I saw, at least as good a car as the new ones.
After ten years, everything still works, amazingly so. And looking at all the new electronic gimmicks, and of course the prices of new cars, I'm glad she's a keeper. While waiting my turn, I was reading the advertisements on the wall, and one caught my eye. It was telling about a new style wiper blade, one that when it was worn out, turns color. Now I can imagine the excitement in the inventor's voice, telling his wife, "look dear, we'll be millionaires. When the blade is worn, it turns color, telling you to replace it." But his wife, ever the realist, and related to the Shaw Wow guy, just shakes her head, "oh no, not again."
And I watched as people looking at this sign, actually acknowledged this might be a great idea. And it scared me. How blind or stupid, do you have to be to not be able to see out of the windshield because of bad blades? And if you can't see through the unwiped windshield, how can you see the color change, that had to be magnified on the sign to see it, yeah, right?
After watching a bio on Henry Ford and the Model T, I think he may have been on to something, simple transportation. Unlike today, where you have sound systems, not radios, and I remember old Mercedes Benz owners being confused by the 39 buttons on the dash, when all she wanted to do was turn up the volume for talk radio. And I think of all the features that enhance your ownership, their words, not mine, and you have to wonder-whassup? From wipers that turn them self on when it rains-the sensor has nothing to do with moisture, to self aligning headlights every time you turn them on, or turn themselves on, to self adjusting mirrors when you back up, and even a message telling you when the oil is dirty, all this takes the driving out of the experience-just point and steer, wait for the next message to tell you what to do. And when they would ask me how does it work, I would often refer them to a teenager, and the reply was, "yes, my grandson explained it to me, I'll ask him about this." The same kid who can't find the curb to take the trash too, but can tell how multi-million dollars electronics work. Does anybody make a radio with on/off and volume, and knobs instead of buttons? We have met the enemy and it is us-we have successfully won the war on technology, except we are also the victims. No more skills, but a memory chip to remember for you-STUPID! And I wonder who would buy the worn out wiper sensor blades? And you have to ask? Wish I had thought of it first.
Old dogs, and new tricks, but are they really? There are statistics that tell us that the older you get, the less chance there is of being saved. Aren't you glad God doesn't make decisions based on polls? And I think of those who sat in pews for many years, listening to their preacher, but not paying attention. Not having a relationship with God, but via the pastor. And wondering what is going on, and why? I heard being a Christian was exciting, all I got is boring, repetitious, rote prayers and sermons. Is there something better, or is all I have to do show up for an hour, and endure, then go home and wait to do it over again?
Just like they have taken the driving experience out of driving, man has taken the relationship out of Jesus. We are fed gimmicks, skits, topical messages, boring visitors, songs played by rented musicians, and taught to us by men who have D.D. after their name. Doctrinally dead? Not at all what Jesus promised, or wants to deliver in your life. He tells about sin, you don't need a poll to know that. He wants to heal you, long before the symptoms get so bad you see the doctor. He wants to meet the need long before you go begging, and He wants it all to be personal, on a first name basis. No going to a priest or waiting until Sunday, talk to Him now, or anytime. Maybe He is the Model T of religion, or the Model T is the Jesus of cars-basic, no frills, personal, and dependable. Everything you need, with no frills. I like that. Someone I can relate to, and not just another gimmick to get my mind off the real thing-Him! Someone who knows what I need without a sensor going off to tell Him, and knowing how to repair the problem, not just replace the part. He fixes the cause, not the symptom.
If your take on church is one of boring, and the same old stuff, I encourage you to break out of the slump, and seek one that isn't-they are out there! And if you are in one where it is all about gimmicks and programs, I invite you to meet Jesus. Face to face-not through a windshield! Let the spirit guide you, and soon begin to enjoy all He has for you-abundance is what He promises. Flee from tradition, and try the spirit-you'll be glad you did. And you will find, that He is more like you than you think, for He had a strong distaste for religion and religious people, too. He even took it personal, dying for them while we were yet a sinner.
Take a ride with the old Jesus today, and find something new and exciting, that took place on an old, rugged cross. No buttons or sensors-just nine inch nails. Can you hear the spirit calling? See what I mean, it's a clear as seeing through your windshield!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
ps-A device which determines a condition of at least one wiper blade of a motor-vehicle windshield wiper. The device includes a rain sensor controlling the motor-vehicle windshield wiper and being utilized for determining the condition of the wiper blade. The device also includes an evaluation circuit receiving data from the rain sensor. The evaluation circuit evaluates wear and tear of a rubber wiper element of the wiper blade based on one of a slow and continuous change of the data and a quick and continuous change of the data provided by the rain sensor.
