We as Americans have an affinity for owning something that once belonged to
a famous person. From houses to bridal gowns to cars to motorcycles, previous
ownership by a big name will bring big dollars when put up for sale. Add Steve
McQueen’s name on the title of even the most pedestrian car, the value goes
through the ceiling. Add a poster, maybe proof of registration, and those who
want it will bid way over the head of us mortals. And like Elvis, Michael, and
other dead celebrities, their possessions are often worth more when they are
dead than when they were alive. Such is the price of fame, but yet the price
goes up whenever a name is added. With the buyer being the fool, after all
sometimes it is just an old car with bad tires. But yet some will ooh and aah
over the fact Steve once owned it. Or Elvis sat on it, or Michael...well you
don’t want to know. But an article in Hemming’s caught my attention today,
which puts this all in perspective, or more out of reach and focus. The 1958
white Impala driven by Ron Howard is American Graffiti is coming up for sale at
a Hollywood auction. Documented, and in storage for 25 years, this car that the
studio advertised after the movie for sale for $325, and sold for less, is
reported to bring between $800,000-$1,200,000 next month! All because it was in
a movie! Maybe I underestimated the value of tuck and roll, or the feel of
vinyl in my short pants on a hot summer day. Or of three on the tree, or maybe
even 1958 Chevies, I knew friends that over paid at $300 in high school. And
for years the 1958’s were not highly collectible. I guess if you hold onto it
long enough, it becomes valuable. Being in a movie helps...celebrity ownership
the ticket to real lottery winnings. A lot of money for a used car that will
never be driven. But giving bragging rights to its new owner, “I have one and
you don’t.”
Personally I am tired of the old saying on bumper stickers “he who dies
with the most toys wins.” I never liked it to be truthful, wins what? And does
it matter, except to whoever inherits them, you are still dead and cannot take
them with you? But yet I know guys who collect, and maybe I am guilty to a
certain degree. We own 6 motorcycles, does that make me a collector? Or
inflicted with Multiple Motorcycle Disease? As I am reminded, you can only ride
one at a time...maybe if I introduce myself as a collector I will get more
respect. Maybe a little...only time will tell when it comes to sell, if my name
on the title has any financial impact? After all they are really just used
bikes...but to me a lot more in memories alone. So how important are memories,
and how important are yours? What will you be remembered for? And will it add
value to whatever you leave behind?
Who will care if I rode it? Drove it? Slept in it? Wore it to a dance?
Yet many place value on such things, and we all can fall into the trap. Call it
stupidity, or what it really is PRIDE, but we all can be guilty of it, and
caught up unaware. Over the years I have met or attended many who were of a
celebrity status. For the most part it was more impressive telling of the
meeting rather than meeting itself. And even though pictures show me with them,
do they remember me? To me that would be more impressive...for example, at the
Baja 1000 in Tijuana in 1995, I ran into Ivan Stewart before the race. I was a
vendor of his when he started building his trucks. I had a group with me from
SONY in Mexico, and he was their hero. While Ivan and I talked, I introduced
him to them, and they all got pictures with him. Later they told me, “you said
you knew him, but we didn’t know he was your friend.” Being my friend was the
key, that was what was impressive. Introducing a famous racer as my friend.
And they told the story “Mike and Ivan are friends,” and being my friend
brought them closer to Ivan. Yet the Bible tells us there is one who stands
closer than a friend. One who you can know personally, and even though
introduced by someone, you can have a relationship with him. Of course I am
talking of Jesus, who wants to meet you. And get to know you, and be more than
a friend. To be Lord and savior. To be the go to guy in all situations. To
call out to you by name, not having to get your number from someone else. It is
that personal...even on the streets of TJ.
And he brings value to the relationship, and to us personally. Next time
you fell like a nothing, remember who you are in Christ. And how valuable you
are, for if you were the only sinner he would have died for you. For God so
loved you personally, he sent his only son. While lost and wandering, you had
value. Before you were a child of God, he loved you. The world may
underestimate your value, Jesus never has, or will. But what about what he
owned? What would his personal belongings bring at auction? You may be
surprised, for he owned nothing, he was a borrower. He had no home, staying
with friends. No property, going to the hills to get away. Even his tunic was
borrowed, to the one the soldiers drew lots for. Could that one truthfully come
up at auction as belonging to Jesus? In fact he owned no earthly goods except
for you. What are you worth that he would die for you?
Yet Judas sold him out for 30 pieces of silver. The price of a slave.
Imagine what those pieces of silver would be worth today? Genuine silver used
to buy Jesus. What would you pay? Better yet, what was the price Jesus paid?
The price of fame may add value, the price Jesus paid adds life. So maybe a
better bumper sticker would be “he who lives with the most toys wins.” Or
better yet, he who dies with Jesus wins. Period. And we all are offered the
chance to win. And the odds are in our favor. You see there are names that add
value, only one brings life. In love. A name unique unto heaven, where even
the demons bow and worship. While some bow at the altar of Steve McQueen
ownership, I rather worship the one who saved me. Whose name is written on the
title of my soul. Who wrote my name in the Book of Life. Who calls me friend,
and who I can call on at any time.
All over New Jersey and Pennsylvania you can find places that advertise
“George Washington slept here.” But who wants to sleep in a 250 year old bed?
When you can sleep in the arms of a living God? So maybe the one selling the
car for over a million is not the fool, the one who pays it is. So quit paying
the price, and give it up to Jesus. Salvation paid in full. Heaven paid in
full. Peace and love paid in full. There is a bidding war for your soul, don’t
settle for anything less than Jesus. There are no deals to be had, only one.
In Christ. So introduce Jesus to someone today, as your friend. And when they
get to know him, they too can say “I know you knew him, I didn’t know he was
your friend.” And he knows my name too. For it is only he who dies with Jesus
who wins. Toys optional.
love with compassion,
Mike
mattehw25biker.blogspot.com