Over the years there have been some great pick up lines.
Everyone recognizes the 48-54 Chevies, highly collectible today. Ford with its
first F1 in 1948, then the 53-56’s came along, nose heavy and cool, and
customizers started customizing trucks. Jeep brought us the 4 wheel drive
Willys, styled after the Jeep, and even International showed a work truck could
have lasting looks. It is hard to overlook any Dodge Power Wagon, great name
for a great work truck, 4 wheel drive and they could do it all. Even their Job
Rated series looked good then and now, and all the trucks we remember as kids at
construction sights, delivering goods, and working on the farm are now highly
collectible, and valuable. I have always favored the 1960 Chevy with its heavy
eyebrows, so ugly it was beautiful. But then pick ups became more car like,
even Ford with its Ranchero, and Chevy’s El Camino, both built on car chassis
showed the styling was more important than the function to a growing suburban
class. They wanted good looks, but with more comfort than the ride offered the
farmer. And for the next 30 years became mainstream, as the F150 now is the
best selling model of any vehicle sold in the US of A, and has been for many
years. Some 20 years ago Dodge brought us the big truck look, a Peterbuilt
styled front end that has become their trademark. Ford in 1997 brought us car
like styling to the front end of its F150, setting the truck world on its
styling butt. So we have been blessed with many iconic trucks, from 1948-1997,
highly desired and highly collectible today. Who would have ever thought a
truck built for work, would bring 30 times its purchase price 50 years later?
Worn out and abused, only to be resurrected again. And be customized, lowered,
hot rodded, and lifted-all in the same time frame? Farmers driving pick ups,
wearing blue jeans-maybe they were cool way before their time.
But not all great pick up lines are trucks, many are verbal.
And they vary from cool, to scared, to rude, from wishful to demanding, and all
demanding an answer. But not everyone is as suave as Bond, as cool as Bogie, or
as taken for granted as Cary, but we all have used various pick up lines to meet
girls. Some offered rides in their convertibles, some on their motorcycles, some
would carry her books, and some would just ask to dance. All classic lines,
variations on a theme, but without that special magic they are just words. It
takes the contact between the two, to make it personal, to make a great pick up
line work. And while many escape success by not trying, others still are
looking for that opening line that gets them the first dance or date. Such
classics as “Wannadance,” all one word, or “needaride,” again one word have
worked for years. “Whatchadoin?” demands an answer, but nothing works better
than a compliment. “Gee you look good Betty,” but “those jeans sure make you
look big on my bike,” are better left at home, where you would be if tried. And
then there was always the funny guy, who told her she was his “melancholy baby,”
because she had a head like a melon, and a face like a collie.” Classic, but
even Lassie rode in the back of, you guessed it, a pick up. So although there
are some great pick up lines, it still takes two to make them work. But when
she says yes....then what do you talk about?
For all of us who are saved, someone used a line on us, maybe
not a great pick up line, but one to introduce us to Jesus Christ. Maybe it
was a friend inviting you to church. Or to a Christian concert. Maybe another
Christian saw you down and out, and offered to listen, showing the love of
Christ. Some are faced with what happens after death, while others are just
seeking, and looking for love. Whatever the great pick up line that brought you
to Christ was, all of them have one thing in common. The Holy Spirit. For you
cannot be talked into salvation, although many try, more zealous than spirit
driven. For some it takes years, some just get it, and some don’t, won’t and
just refuse the invitation. No matter how great the pick up line, they refuse.
They deny the spirit. How important is the spirit? We are told that all sins
are forgiven, except that of blaspheming the holy spirit-in a word, telling Him
“NO.” Reject the offer, you are still lost, accept the offer, repent, and you
are saved. Now slick talking preacher, no telethon, no telecast, or
tele-anything can save you-only Jesus. And the spirit points you to Him, and He
points you to His Father, God in heaven. The only way, so as not to be confused
by some clever ads, or some guys bringing papers to your door. Don’t be misled
because they have Jesus Christ in their name-many will come in His name, but are
liars, and counterfeiters. You want the real thing-no greater pick up line than
from the holy spirit. He never goes out of style.
And unique to each Christian is that line that brought us to
Jesus. We share it through our testimony, and use it to bring others to
Christ. Evangelists, and ambassadors al at once. Powered by the holy spirit,
we watch as He changes lives through us, using us to spread the gospel. Where
actions and attitudes speak more than words, which we use only when needed. So
here is the invite to those not saved, to those not sure, or confused. Jesus
says, “tired, I will give you rest. Seeking, you will find. Thirsty, I offer
water so that you will never thirst again. Scared, I offer peace. Lonely, I
stand closer than a friend. In trouble, I will defend you. And “lost, I am the
way...follow me.” Sound like something you want, or need, that something is
really a someone-Jesus. It’s that simple, and I love the gospel because it is
simple, like me, so I can get it. And if I can, what’s your excuse?
Great pick up lines will come and go, styles change. Jesus
doesn’t. Buy into a classic today, and never look back. Grace never goes out
of style. What you drive may tell us much about you, but where you are going is
more important. Worn out and abused? Wanna ride?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com