It was time for new tires on the truck. Cord was starting to show, and on
the front ones you didn’t need to check the air pressure, you could look inside
to see if any was there they were so bald and the cord worn away. So comparing
prices via the Internet, one stop was at Discount Tires, but the guy I knew was
gone, and a young shark had replaced him. After listening to his well rehearsed
speech to another man, I almost walked out. He had come dangerously close to
telling the truth, just not close enough. But I was next, so I waited, and he
started in on me. The truck had come with Kumho tires, and I didn’t want to
repeat the mistake, but when he told me he could get me a 50% discount because
they had worn erratically, I listened. He gave me a price, and told me that
they would only be half of what a set of four would cost, and that Kumho would
cover the rest. Tires at half price, such a deal, but I wanted to think it
over. Which pushed him into the next mode, telling me time was running out, and
that he wasn’t sure if he could get me the same deal tomorrow-the red flags were
waving. So I said yes, but couldn’t do it now, but would tomorrow, and he said
he would personally guarantee the deal, but I must see only him, no one else
could get me such a deal. And I left...knowing I wasn’t going back. Something
had stopped me and made me realize the deal sounded good, but there was no
discount. Kumho was paying half, a good deal, it sounded, but the store was
offering no discount, I paid half, Kumho paid the other half, and he was getting
full price for the tires. And add to the fact I didn’t want Kumho tires again,
and suddenly the deal wasn’t as good as he made it sound. So I went down the
street, bought new tires I wanted for even less, and was happy-I had gotten a
deal, a real discount, not just a moving target of numbers...and again it is
buyer beware, there is no free lunch, or in this case free tires.
It has often been asked jokingly,”if they built an airplane would you fly
in it?” Some will just due to brand loyalty, others not considering the cost
involved. So another version is what I want you to think about. You have a
choice of two flights from two different airlines. Airline #1 has all new
planes, beautiful stewardesses, great food, comfy seats, and the planes are the
fastest in the air. They have an on time record second to none, but with one
item worth noting, they have a poor landing record. They are OK from boarding
to take-off to the in-flight route, but their landing record is one of only 20%
safety-they crash most of the time. They cannot guarantee you will land
safely. But based upon the price, and the flight, they are enormously popular,
most people will take the risk. Airline #2 has older planes, older
stewardesses, but experienced, the seats are old and crowded, the food is barely
edible, and their on-time record is questionable. Their pilots are experienced,
but the airline is known for its rough flights. But they have a perfect landing
record, second to none, and always arrive at their destination, just not always
on time. The cost is less, but many avoid them going with the newer planes,
better food, and risk the landing based upon the air time versus the landing
record. Which would you choose? Which way have you chosen to lead your
life?
As I look around we are all looking for the best deal, from tires to
airlines. But we rarely consider the true cost, falling for buzz words and
relying on photo ops for evidence. We are willing to take the chance, thinking
it will never happen to me, and even if flying the airline #1 and landing safe,
are willing to risk it again. Those frequent flyer miles just can’t be
avoided-they are five times anyone else’s-such a deal! So they fly and fly
again, until one day they crash, and the contract they signed when purchasing
the tickets voids their life insurance policy. They are gone, no insurance, but
oh the food and the stewardesses.....and so many lead their lives just like
that, trusting their lives to chance, and a good sounding deal, but ending up
with nothing.
I don’t care for the saying “He who dies with the most toys wins.” He is
still dead, isn’t he? What good are his toys now? He trusted valuables over
values, and now has paid the price. And so it is with God. “I don’t need
Jesus, I am doing well, I have two houses, a vacation home, and a great income.
I am not sick, my kids go to fine schools, and I lease a new BMW every year.”
But just like airline #1, he has no concern for where he lands, he has neglected
God in his life, and dies with many toys, but hell awaits. He bought the eye
candy, fed his ego, but had no place for God in his life, he was so rich, yet
found out too late how he was so poor. Yet so many tend to follow his example,
forgoing riches and an easy life, never considering Jesus. And I have found in
life that the rougher the road, the more I need Him. And if I am on a rough
road, it is usually the right one. So I have found great comfort in rough roads
knowing that Jesus is with me, and even on rough flights. We tend to forget God
when the going is great, and that is when we should consider Him even more, in
forms of praise and thanksgiving. For we never know what lies ahead, and
someone is always there to sell a good deal based on easy living or convenient
terms, but the payback isn’t as sweet as the deal offers.
Consider Jesus today, and if having a rough day, hang onto Him. And if
having a great day, thank Him. But remember He is always there, no matter what
flight or what road you choose. Closer than a shadow who never leaves you, He
follows you into the dark area no shadow can go-He is that close. And following
Him promises happy landings-His record is 100%! Think of it as World Airlines
or Jesus Airways-which company do you choose to fly with? We will all land
somewhere upon death, you can choose where you land before even leaving the
ground by choosing the right flight-I am glad I chose Jesus. We don’t know when
the plane of life might go down-and I want to be on the flight that assures
heaven, don’t you?
All tires, and all tire deals are not equal. Not all gods are either, only
one can promise eternal life in heaven. Jesus Christ. If He was a plane, would
you fly on Him? Consider His landing record...get your boarding pass to heaven
today! You don’t want to be dangerously close and miss.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com