The Standard of the World was how we used to identify with Cadillac. In
the fifties and sixties when lower, longer, and wider meant success, Cadillac
outdid them all. A sign that you had arrived, it got you special attention,
better valet parking, and an air and status no other luxury car could command.
When my Grandpa would visit and park his 1962 black Coupe Deville in our
driveway, neighbors would wonder “who were the rich folks visiting?” If you
drove one, doors opened for you, and we all desired owning one someday. To brag
on our success, to show we had made it. But in 1973 when gas rose to 50 cents a
gallon, the Lazarus cars of Toyota and Datsun the rich used to step over became
popular, and Cadillac brought out the Seville, based on the Chevy Nova. We
should have seen the writing on the wall, as downsizing was about to influence
our car buying, and affect our success status, as far as automobiles went. And
for guys like my friend Gerald, a doctor, when news of a downsized Cadillac for
1977 hit, panic set in. True they may be bigger on the inside, get better
mileage, when mpg was a status symbol, but they were smaller, and how you
arrived told more than the fact you had arrived. And so his 1976 Coupe Deville,
with its 500 cubic inch, not cubic centimeter engine was a last stand for many.
Cadillac was downsizing, following the lead of other GM divisions, and instead
of leading was following. And a new low hit in 1982, when you could get a
Cadillac Cimarron, a Chevy J car, the size of a Toyota. Downsizing was the new
rule, and all manufacturers would build smaller cars if they chose to compete.
Ford followed in 1979, with a smaller LTD, which was actually smaller and
weighed less than its mid sized Torino. Cadillac’s tag line of “Best of all,
it’s a Cadillac,” had been redefined, dumb downed if you would. And today we
are burdened with Hybrids, the Prius, and Hyundais disguised as luxury cars to
remind us. I wonder what Gerald would be driving today?
When Bill Hays wrote a book about the history of The Boozefighters, the
first outlaw motorcycle club, I planned on getting a copy at the Hollister
Rally. We met him and JQ, the club historian at their booth, and we visited.
Then JQ put me in a headlock, he had seen my Christian colors, and asked, “so
you’re a Christian, well I have a question for you, can God make a rock so big
he cannot pick it up?” And while gasping for air, and my theological juices
flowing, I was about to share Jesus with a real biker, the ones we had been told
to witness to. But the words that came out surprised me, as the spirit provided
the words needed, “you don’t ask God stupid things like that.” And JQ released
me, he liked the answer, he could deal with it, and we became friends. But
later I was to consider how so many have fallen into worshipping the creation
rather than creator. While some would focus on the rock, I focused on God.
Today religion has brought God down to our level, rather than us being brought
up to God’s level. From the Tower of Babel, when man thought they had it all
and built a tower to heaven to brag to God, to false idols made of stone and
gold that fell over in the wind, man must defend and give strength to these
false gods. Religion and denominations have downsized God so they can control
him, appearing big on the outside, while God looks upon the heart. We must be
in the word, but how many have the word in them?
Many false doctrines follow us still. One is if you are prosperous, you
must have found favor with God. Yet it is the poor in spirit who inherit the
kingdom. Some name it and claim it, God being a genie at their disposal, I
wonder if their god could pick up the rocks they make? While others take
scripture out of context, and design a lifestyle around it, themselves being the
standard. It seems as long as man exists he will try to find a way to make God
equal to himself, yet scripture tells us just he opposite. For God so loved the
world, he sent Jesus to make the way back to him. He lowered himself in
humility to save us. Salvation is a gift, not a status that can be earned. You
cannot buy your way into heaven, no man has the riches of God, nor is any price
mentioned. God wants the intangible, the unseen, the heart. And then wants you
to display it publicly in his love. For what does it profit a man if he gains
the world and loses his soul?
It is possible we all will take a final ride in a Cadillac, a hearse.
Death has no social, economical, or religious requirements. We all qualify, but
we can choose where we spend eternity. And if your life is based on the rock of
Jesus Christ you will be saved. Success is not measured in what we have, but
who we know. Has religion, your belief system downsized Jesus to the point of
only a teacher, philosopher, itinerant preacher, or carpenter? Does your church
seek him first, and have all things added on by him, or do you get recognized by
your worldly success? Do you keep your god in a box, are you ashamed of Jesus
before your rich friends? Are the tinted windows on your car really showing the
tint on your soul?
So to paraphrase JQ, I have a question for you. “You say you are a
Christian, what makes you different from me? I believe in Jesus, I go to
church. I tithe and pray. I’m successful, why do you still pick on me?” My
answer, have you built your house, your life upon the rock of Jesus Christ?
Even demons know who he is and tremble at his name, they believe in him, but do
you believe him? Can you call him Lord when you don’t do the things he asked?
Do you love and forgive others? Or is all your relationship religious, all for
show but no go? Do the words from your mouth truly tell us who you know Jesus
to be? Maybe some private time with the spirit is in order. Are you living up
to the standards of the world, of the church, or of God? Do you believe in God
as creator, or do you have more faith in the rock he created?
Today you can supersize your relationship with God, turning it all over to
Jesus. Be filled to overflowing, having all your needs met in Christ Jesus.
Seek him first, let him add all things unto you. And lean not on your own
understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Longer, lower, wider, may be OK in old cars, don’t let it be the chasm between
you and God. Seek the truth and be set free, even the people could see the
emperor had no new clothes. And the fact your Cadillac is really a Chevy. Come
to think of it, I never saw a Chevy hearse, have you? Sometimes it’s what’s
under your hood, or what’s in your garage, your wallet? But what’s in your
heart? Only the size of your faith will downsize your God. God reached down to
bring us up, only in Christ will you truly arrive. Now that’s success....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com