You may not know or even have heard the name Raymond Loewy, but I'll bet you have had contact with him. As the premier industrial designer of the twentieth century, he brought form to anything from mimeograph machines, to locomotives, to Studebakers. But his crowning achievement is his design for the Coca Cola bottle and its famous shape-he was the one who designed it-a trade marked design that has lasted over 80 years. A design that he made identifiable with the female shape, both shapes being more form than function. Among his trade mark designs are Shell gasoline and the Lucky Strike logo. Furniture, houses, even appliances bear his mark. His mark is recognized in cars, trains, and busses also. And among classic car hobbyists he is best remembered for the 1953 Studebakers, the Loewy coupes as they are still referred to today, and the Avanti, which was designed over a long weekend in Palm Springs by a crack crew of designers under his supervision. A design that still continues today, as a small company still produces Avantis in limited number. Loewy was very creative, but also as an engineer knew the physical properties of good design. On his desk was a plaque that read "WEIGHT IS THE ENEMY!" And he preached this to all his designers. And it still is today.
It is rumored that when Ford came out with their new Thunderbird in 1989, it exceeded the target weight, and men were fired. Weight means money, which takes bigger engines to get the same performance, which means more emissions-too much weight=less performance, and a higher cost. Ask a production manager, he understands. Ask Mercedes Benz and their race team back in the 30's. They got the nickname Silver Arrow because they removed all the paint from the car to lose weight, leaving only the shiny aluminum skin. Ever hear of a race car wanting to add weight because it was too fast or light? If you think paint doesn't weigh much, pick up a gallon. Help, please? In an industry where weight is measured in ounces, weight loss in pounds is a lot.
A motorcycle test was run in 1983 using a 1983 Honda 650 Nighthawk. The purpose was to show how weight impacted performance. Taking the same bike, but using two test riders, one at 150 pounds, the other at 276. Both pros, but the heavier rider took more than a half second longer, at a slower speed to get through the quarter mile. Ride a dresser, then a sport bike. Which is faster, nimbler, and brakes better? Weight is the enemy. Just ask any Gold Wing rider who has dropped his bike. Or how on a smaller bike because they can control the weight they might not have, so they didn't have to find help picking it up after.
Today we are deluged with ads about being overweight. So we spend billions on exercise equipment, special diets, and club memberships to make us look better. But do little to remove the weight we carry internally. And no matter the physical shape, your spiritual shape matters more. Jesus, that old yoke builder, who just happened to be the messiah, put it simply when he said "take my yoke for it is easy." You see we carry burdens in our harts, that they were not designed to carry. Stress, fear, sin, and lust-all have no place in our hearts-they only cause heart disease and lessen the quality of life. So take the advice of one who can help, Jesus. Burdened by too much house payment-give Him your burden. A family relationship falling apart-He'll take it. Unemployed, or worse yet under employed? He will take the weight in each and all situations. You see weight-the burden of sin is truly the enemy-and only through God's grace and forgiveness can you lose this weight.
Has the word diet shown up in your spiritual intake lately? Have you asked God to help you shed the weight of sin, and the burden it causes? Don't start tomorrow, right now is the day of salvation. Shed the weight, and find how it effects you physically too. You see we all suffered from heart disease until we came to Christ-we had the weight of sin on our hearts. And using no surgery, pills, exercises, or equipment He removed it. So what are you weighting for?
Take the example of Raymond Loewy-WEIGHT IS THE ENEMY! In all his designs he chose to leave a high visual retention-you would remember the product. Practice what any first year engineering student is taught, and what Jesus knew about 2000 years ago. But don't let WAIT be your enemy. Let Him make a strong spiritual retention in your life-an eternal one! Seek Jesus now! Weight to go! Way to go!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com