How would you have felt if the day after you bought your new Hudson they
ceased production? What would you think looking at the new Edsel in your garage
the day they announced it was discontinued? What jokes would your friends taunt
you with about your new Desoto the day after Chrysler pulled the plug? Add in
Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, and Plymouth-all great names that are no longer
with us, how would you feel the next day when they quit making them? What if
you had saved for years to buy a BSA, Norton, a Triumph, or Matchless? Only to
find the store closed the next week, the company out of business, and your
bike’s value dropping faster than sliding on a rain slick road? How would you
feel.....
One morning at Mickey’s a new customer rode up on his new Victory, three
days after the factory ceased production. We talked, he bought the bike because
he liked it, wished he had waited because this week they are going for about
half of what they were last week, but he still would have bought one, because he
liked the bike. I liked his answer, and it may be reflective of all those who
bought cars and bikes that became orphans afterwards. He bought it to ride, not
to keep for an investment, but as those who bought Hudsons and Nashes, and even
Edsels found out, wait long enough and what was a foolish move then, turned into
a good investment now, if you wait long enough. The jury is still out on
Victory and Buells, even Buell’s comeback attempt, the EBR, but some are still
for sale new in showrooms, at great prices, for great bikes, they just aren’t
made anymore. Interested?
Ever get the feeling that you are showing up a day late and a dollar
short? That despite your training, social standing, good looks, Facebook page,
and connections, you still just ain’t making it? Ever been passed over for a
promotion by a person less qualified than yourself? Did you think “I have the
skills, the experience, the gifts, just give me a chance, I’ll show you what I
can do.” Maybe we need to go back to one afternoon with Moses up on the
mountain with God. Receiving the Ten Commandments, his face shone like an angel
because he had been in the presence of God. But as he came down, he had to
cover it for fear he may scare the people he had been chosen to lead. Over time
the glory faded from him, but he kept the mask on, now because he didn’t want to
show the glory had faded. From hot to cold, he didn’t want the feeling, the
experience to end. Forgetting the whole time that it was not anything he had
done, God had caused his face to shine, and then let it dissipate. It was all
about God, not all about Moses, God gave him the opportunity to do a chore he
wanted him to do, but Moses took it personally. We all like to brag and show
off our abilities, but when God fades from our life, and the true us shows
through, we need to repent, and get back on board with him. We all like to brag
on God, but here he shows that the law will fade, and bring death eventually,
usually too soon for us, but the spirit, the same spirit that caused Moses’ face
to shine will endure. From the inside out, for God looks on the heart....we
seek his face as we sing in worship, but do we really seek his spirit?
2 Corinthians 3:9 tells us “if the ministry that condemns men is glorious,
how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness?”
Righteousness being fully recognized and accepted, of being approved by God, and
basking in his glory, not ours. This is the new covenant, that we cannot earn
our salvation or pleasure from God, but only by his spirit of his only son Jesus
Christ will we enter into his kingdom and eternal glory. We cannot do it
ourself, and misusing any gifts God gives us will not insure success. In Christ
we find a value of worth, we find significance and direction. What seems
foolish to men, makes perfect sense to God, and when led by his spirit, the
blessings flow, as people see Jesus in us the words come, the actions make
sense, and we are blessed. God is glorified! We cannot add to it by any works,
because it is what he did and who he is, not our acts or standing. We will be
here today and gone for eternity, where is the gone you are going to?
So after the Victory, after the Edsel and Hudson, after the Pontiacs are
forgotten and faded memories, will God’s glory still be shining in you? When
you signed up with Jesus what did you expect? A book tour, a mansion, a TV show
to brag about you? Your sin will find you out and expose your heart for who you
are. What makes you think it cannot happen to you, when it happened to Moses?
He was given the law, Jesus has given us grace. After attending a Hudson meet a
few weeks ago, the ones who own, collect, and love them have become a tight knit
family, based on the cars. Hudson may be out of business, but the cars still
remain. And through fellowship, communication, and perserverence based on love,
the club and the cars live today. If love can keep an orphan car alive, imagine
what a living God can do for a lost soul. The cars still shine after many
years, but it takes care and compassion, with commitment. Jesus has made his
commitment to you, will you to him? How do your old friends talk about you, or
wonder where you have been? Are you a victory in Christ after the shine wears
off, or just in it for the ride to see what you can get? Victory’s today are
available for rock bottom prices, bargains for those who just want to ride a
good bike. The victory in Jesus is still available for all who want to be
saved, who want heaven when leaving earth, who want a savior who loves them as
they are. There is nothing else you can add to the love God provides, but you
can pass it on. Before you pass on. For we were all orphans once, and Jesus
took us in and made us family. Like the Edsel, you may be laughed at, but look
who’s laughing now. Seen the price of 1958-60 Edsels lately? If only I had
known when they were cheap...after the Victory we celebrate. My new friend who
bought one too early, just rides it. Saw him last week, he loves it, has no
plans to sell it. He has a relationship with it and loves it. Can we say the
same about Jesus? There are Victory’s, and here are victories...the miles add
up and the paint may fade...the love of Christ never will.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com