tape stripes and stickers

 The seventies brought a quick end to the Muscle Car era.  Where as big engines used to put out over 400 hp consistently, now being detuned for emissions and the rating system changed to net, anything over 250 hp was now big news.  So to dress up cars to look fast that once were fast, tape stripes and stickers were added.  No more sleeper cars like the 1966 Chevelle a friend had with a 454 with over 500 ho, a blue 4 door that idled lumpy, and was the car to beat, now the cars were sleepy, and suddenly mpg was more important than ho or 1/4 mile times.  What’ll she do meant how many miles per gallon do you get?  The stripes may have attempted to make a statement, but it was only a whisper of what used to be. At least if it wasn’t fast, it could look fast, and as fast as vinyl roofs faded from cars, stickers appeared.  I admit, some were cool, some were funky, some were just there to cover where the two tone paint met and to cover a scar.  Pin striping was now tape striping, and anything that could be done to dress up a mundane power producing replica of what was, was tried and applied.  A dark time for gear heads, thankfully motorcycling was coming alive, with power unheard of ever before, and faster than any former Muscle Car. 

My friend Bouke had a breathed on Z-1, that when we cruised Mickey D’s, all the old time guys left, they didn’t want a challenge, but the new younger guys, were quick to show off their cars, but never to challenge.  One era was dying, another was being born, and it wasn’t what you had under the hood any more, it was like always to us, what’ll she do.  It wasn’t what was in it, but what came out of it.  With weakened motors, it was something all the tape stripes and stickers couldn’t overcome....joining the 4 speed, dual quad, posi traction 409 into history.

With so much emphasis on education today, it is sad to see how many have never learned anything that they apply.  Last night I was reminded of what Jesus told his disciples, paraphrasing Matthew 25:11, it is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out.  In computer lingo it is GIGO, garbage in, garbage out, in real life, it is we reap what we sow.  So many are so busy studying to be found approved, they neglect to apply that knowledge, lacking wisdom in the application of God’s word.  So much of Christianity has become in and out Christianity, with more intake than output.  Like the gelded muscle cars of the eighties, they are all show and no go, they look cool, but when the pedal is put to the metal, you get sound but no action.  Where as Jesus told us to be doers and not just hearers, we spend so much time listening, we never respond.  Sadly the only time we do speak is when we ask God, then we don’t listen for his answer.  I am not against Bible reading or study, but without application, without seeing the words of Jesus in action, it becomes just another religious exercise.  Like riding 10 miles on a stationary bike, they talk how far they went, not how far they have come.  Sheltered from the storms of life in a controlled environment.  Maybe Jesus knocks at the door, because a tinkling bell may be all the relationship you have with him, for words without his love, without his words in action, we are just like a tinkling bell.  A door bell that someone rang, then ran away.  Lest anyone answer...

If you are living a façade of Christianity behind Bible covers, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and all the gospel music stations, some day you may be called on it.  You may be asked about your Jesus, and all your knowledge may not be enough if your life doesn’t reflect it.  The world is just looking for a reason to deny Jesus, but maybe really it is just a challenge to find him.  Consider Peter in the garden that night.  All the credentials, but when questioned by a little girl, runs in fear.  Forgetting the times Jesus was questioned, and stood firm.  Is it possible that little girl wanted to know Jesus, her question was simple enough, “were you with him?”  A perfect time to share his love to a frightened little girl, remember the scenario that night.  Would you have stood firm on what you know, or stand by who you know? 

Scripture also tells us the what comes out of our mouth reflects what is on our heart.  That ought to scare more than a few of us.  But it will always be what people see in our actions they remember best, after the words are forgotten.  It is the physical manifestations Jesus left, the blind seeing, the lame walking, the enslaved being set free we remember.  A gift of the physical to reflect the spiritual that has occurred.  Is your walk all tape stripes and stickers, or is it real?  Do your actions reflect what you are taught, or who you know Jesus to be personally?  Maybe the truest answer was given by a blind man, blind since birth.  When asked about Jesus, he replied, “all I know is once I was blind but now I can see.”  Knowledge may give an indication of love, your actions will prove it, either way.  It is a simple as the old saying, “money will buy a fine dog, but only love will make it wag its tail.”  Tongue wagging or tail wagging, Jesus knows the difference.  Do you?  Studying to be approved, here is your final exam for today, go love someone who is unlovable.  Let your only prayer be “thy will be done.”  Then shut up and listen for Jesus to answer.  His stripes are real, not tape.  His stickers in his head proof of our sin.  His resurrection his proof of his promises for us.  Who knows, you may be that little girl wanting to know Jesus, and a handout just won’t do.  In the end it is performance we are looking for, some carry Bibles, some carry his word on their hearts.  “What’ll you do?”  It’s only when you know what he did....that you will know how to answer.  These things shall follow them that believe, who are you leaving in your wake?

Like my friends says, burn rubber, not souls...

love with compasson,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com