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We tend to get attached to things very easily, which makes it even harder
to let go of them. Growing up the neighbors always traded for a new car every
three years, the ones whose fathers were really doing well ever other year.
Just by what was parked in my friend’s driveway, the other neighbors knew how
well off they were, or at least how strong their credit was. One guy who bought
new Chevies every year, always a 4 door hardtop, left the window sticker on,
showing off how much he paid, but bragging how he got it for much less. No
attachment there, except to a new car every year. And being a Chevy man. Some
bought only Fords, some were stuck in a MOPAR rut, for my dad it was always
Ramblers, did that make him a Ramblin’ man? And sometimes the trait was passed
down from father to son. But when the gas crisis hit in 1973, suddenly Japanese
cars got better mileage became popular, and many family traditions were
changing. And today, especially on the West Coast, you can see the strong
Japanese influence of cars and motorcycles. Where once Cadillac was the brand
that proved you were successful, now BMW and Lexus have the honor. Mercedes
Benz will always be the one to shoot at, but back then they were just another
foreign car. Even imported by Studebaker until the early sixties. How times
have changed. Or is it really us, as while things change, the more they stay
the same.
Many a father debated in the fifties about buying a Hudson, Nash,
Studebaker, or Packard. All good makes at one time, but now orphaned, only
Studebaker making it until 1965...and in my lifetime, some of the cars of my
youth are gone. Remember Oldsmobile? Pontiac, Mercury, Plymouth, and Saturn?
Names that used to adorn our driveways, now gone. Muscle cars like Road
Runners, Barracudas, Meteors, GTO’s, Firebirds, Grand Prix, and 442. How about
the luxury of a 98, Fury III, or Bonneville? The cars of our fathers now gone,
and the cars of our early driving years now orphaned. Leaving many with the
thought of “what will I buy next year now that my favorite brand is gone?”
Could you really bring yourself to buy a Toyota, a Datsun, I mean Nissan, or a
Subaru? But yet today’s kids thrive on 4 door sedans, with ash can mufflers, a
more powerful stereo than engine, and again, MPG is more important than MPH.
What lessons did our fathers leave us to deal with these and other crises
ahead? Did they ever sit down and explain “if ever I should leave you, this is
what to do?”
And if they had, would we have listened? For we do get attached to things
of our own very easily, and change is hard, and even harder as we get older. We
all think we are prepared for whatever comes along, we found out in 2012 when I
was life flighted and had open heart surgery. I never thought “if ever I should
leave you,” and when in a coma, well, you don’t. We find ourselves unprepared
for the inevitable, death, and even stray from using the word. He passed away,
gone on, isn’t with us any longer, or is in a better place. But it is death, it
is final, and happens to more than cars, motorcycles, TV shows, and other things
shaping our lives. And with a 100% death rate, it is inevitable we will all
face it some day. I decided years ago that I wasn’t afraid to die, still not
after coming as close to death as you can without dying, but still not sure of
the process. Why do some die in car accidents, some in their sleep, some
suicide, and still others live to be 100, yet others are miscarried. Why are
some scared of death, while others face it bravely, or even welcome it? For me
it comes down to Jesus Christ. Without him their was an unknown element, a what
if, and I hoped if there was a heaven, the rules would bend so I could get in.
Like the song of Blood, Sweat and Tears tells us “ swear they ain’t no heaven,
and I pray there ain’t no hell,...only by dying I will tell.” Not a way to live
life. Or enter death.
The disciples were faced with death, yet didn’t realize it, nor were they
prepared. Jesus had told them of his fate, yet in the midst of life, they
didn’t prepare their hearts. He was there every day, and as we live every day
with little thought for tomorrow, so did they. Jesus will always be with them,
they thought. He was young, so were they, and life was good and exciting, as a
walk with Christ is. But after his death on the cross, they needed guidance,
and Jesus had told them “ if ever I should leave you, I will send a helper.”
The Holy Spirit. Our comforter, friend, guidance counselor, and advisor. Who
will take us through the tough times, rejoice with us in good times, and prepare
us for heaven. Until Christ returns, and we meet him in heaven. We shall never
face death, as those who are saved will pass from life to after life. We were
dead once in sin, now we are alive in him. And we shall be with him once and
for all. Never an orphan, or an outsider looking in, we will have attained
heaven, just by giving our lives to him. No rock star, athlete, racer,
celebrity, or millionaire ever made, or will make heaven without Jesus. He is
the way....all others get hell, their choice by not saying yes, for saying
nothing is saying no to Jesus.
Let the words of Jesus comfort you today. For if he had never left, we
wouldn’t have the way. But he did, and awaits our celebration in heaven when we
arrive. But we need to make the choice, the change to Jesus. Some resist until
it is too late, some on their deathbeds, yet some are smart and do it while
young. Why wait for heaven, when you can have the things of heaven now? Didn’t
Jesus teach them to pray “thy kingdom come, or earth as it is in heaven?” What
is your excuse? Family ties, traditions, brand loyalty, or just plain
stubbornness? We don’t know the day of our death, we didn’t know the day of our
birth either. But we can know of the day of our salvation, making life worth
the living. “If ever I should leave you,”was not a subject of conversation in
our home, now we are better prepared, but still not ready. Fortunately Jesus is
and is ready to assist by his spirit. While getting your house in order, don’t
forget the things of the spirit. the most important thing, the relationship
with God. Some day we will all be gone, and it is our choice to where, just not
when. Or how. Life without Pontiac must have made thousands wonder where they
would buy their next car? They could never envision a Ford or a Chevy. Never a
Plymouth...or anything like a Mazda. Yet when the time came, they made the
change. Some saw it coming and were prepared, some hung on till the end, and
had no trade in value. Some just hang on still, trying to patch together
something that is dead and gone. And not coming back. Don’t treat your soul
like that. Turn to Jesus today, be assured of heaven, and enjoy life in him to
the fullest. A promise no car could ever give, nor its company. We have gone
from a “4 speed, dual quad, posi-traction 409” in one generation, to “an
automatic, fuel injected, automatic 2.0 liter.” Hybrid. Which is neither one.
No hybrids in heaven, only those who are saved. Are you saved, if not let’s
pray, “father forgive me a sinner, save me and give me Jesus.” Mean it with
your heart, welcome to the family. Strangers and orphans no more. If ever you
should leave here, make sure you have Jesus. This year’s model is last year’s
model, and next year’s model too. Jesus the same forever. How well are you
doing is more than what you drive, it will always be who you know. And while we
change aren’t you glad that Jesus stays the same.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com