A recent auction of over 500 vehicles from a Chevy dealer who went out of
business, sold some very low mileage cars and trucks, some never titled, with
only MSO’s, at some very high prices. Ray Lambrecht had been a Nebraska Chevy
dealer since the 40’s, and had hoarded many new and used vehicles over a 60 year
period. They were a time capsule of sorts, but not well preserved, as some had
just been parked in fields, some had a building collapsed on, and others just
got old. But they sold for ridiculous prices, far exceeding a fully restored
value, just because of their uniqueness. Imagine seeing a 1955 Chevy as it was
new, with only a few miles on it, seats still wrapped in plastic, but covered in
dust. Original air still in the tires, giving a new twist on the meaning of
factory air. No one was sure why he had collected the cars he did, but
thousands turned out for the auction, going home with what they thought to be
good deals, even though they paid more than a market value. But today original,
unrestored vehicles are bringing more, as too many are turned into hot rods,
which can actually be cheaper than doing it back to original, making restored to
original cars very pricey indeed. But then there were Ray’s cars...
Having an original condition 1978 GS 1000e, I can appreciate having a stock
vehicle after all these years. So many were raced, then abandoned, while some
just replaced the handlebars and headers like we used to do. Just trying to
find an original exhaust system can cost as much as a complete bike. But my
time capsule of a motorcycle, reminds us of how it was 35 years ago, the truth
to remind us when our memories get jaded or faded. And suddenly we weren’t as
fast as we thought we were, the truth winning out over any urban legend we may
be a part of. Now I am sure that Ray’s auction vehicles will continue to sell
and resell at a profit, based on what they are, and will never be driven. After
all these years of non-use, many can’t be, and as good as 31 original miles
sound, it just doesn’t have the same ring as 3 miles. There is low, and then
there is low. So my low mileage Suzuki, with 27,000 miles, somehow isn’t as low
mileage as when I bought it with only 20.368 on it. But I ride it, and enjoy
it, which is what it was designed for anyway. And how many investments can you
drive and enjoy?
Now if you wanted to leave a time capsule of yourself, so others could look
back at how you really were, what would you include? Or not include? How would
you stack the deck in your favor so others would think highly of you? How close
to the truth would you stay, or would you rather risk becoming an urban legend?
How would your story and goods impact future generations? How important is
accuracy to you, or are you more interested in becoming a legend? Reading some
biographies of famous people, you find out they were not what you think they
were, and I have some less than flattering impressions of some old heroes. No
matter if you read the press release, or the book, it may be hard to tell which
is truth, and which you want to be truth. And as a famous Telosian once
remarked to Captain Pike, “you have your illusion, we have our reality.” And so
it goes with old cars and motorcycles, and old people and memories...the truth
is out there somewhere just waiting to set you free.
I am amused when history reinforces the Bible, as if God had something to
hide. And He is vindicated by a recent find. His Word is a time capsule of
history, both good and bad of mankind, with only Himself and His love for us the
constant. Time after time though when the stories seem too unimaginable, some
scholar declares them to be untrue, but then recants when some other historian
and his account verifies them. When it really is the other way around. And why
some people still believe Josephus over Jesus. But when using the Bible as your
only reference, and using first mentioned as a reference tool, we find Jesus in
the first verse in Genesis, and the last verse in Revelation, truly the alpha
and the omega. And in between we see many Christophenies, or references to
Jesus, including over 300 prophecies He fulfilled. And when checking the dates
they were written, predate the fulfillment by thousands of years. So why not
just trust the Bible, and get it over with? Why is it easier to believe a lie
than to trust God?
Just like low mileage, original cars, who must be verified, God likes to be
tested. And the more you ask about Him, to Him, the more He reveals Himself to
you. And soon a relationship is formed with Him. All because of Jesus, who
came to form the bridge back that sin had collapsed. The more I polish my old
GS 1000, the more imperfections I find, and while some may just glance and think
it is perfect, I see flaws. That would be overlooked, except I have a
relationship with the bike, having spent time with her and riding her. And so
it is with Jesus, the more time you spend with Him, the more flaws appear in
your life, but He is there with a polishing cloth, called grace to remove them,
as if they were never there. Because now they are gone forever. Some touch up
here and there, some replacement of worn out parts, and soon I am better than
the day I left the factory, remembering all were born into sin, and less than
perfect. But now God sees me that way, and as I get closer to heaven, know I
will be someday, and I don’t worry about a ding or scratch here or there. God
takes care of them, and like a worn out Bible reflects a life of one that isn’t,
the blemishes are reminders of when I needed Him the most, and He was there.
Scars to prove He was there, just like the nail prints in His hands and feet.
He leaves us as earthen vessels, time capsules for others to see and learn from,
we call them testimonies. A story best left written by Him, far more accurate
and loving than we could ever be.
What does your testimony tell about Jesus? Are you still an original, or
just a parts car? Low mileage, never having done anything, or high mileage
showing wear, with memories to show for it? To your kids and the next
generation your life in Christ is a time capsule for them to see. To review,
and to learn from. To compare to Christ, and to show how when you needed Him,
He was there. And also when you strayed, He was there, too. Low mileage like a
short term relationship doesn’t have to add value, it can detract. The only
true value is how God sees us, and how He allows others to see us. But the
real question is how do you see Jesus? Who do you say He is? He comes with
full documentation, provable in any court, including the one of your heart.
Like Ray’s cars, some were bought for love, and will sell for money. Jesus
bought you for love, and you are not for sale at any price. How valuable does
that make you? How valuable should that make Him?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com