We laugh at how many times when we had no money we went out and bought
another car. An early purchase for me was when going to UNM, and driving a 1973
El Camino, and making the mistake of passing one of the many used car lots on
Central. There it sat, freshly painted and detailed, serviced too they said, a
1972 MG Midget, and the allure of the British sport car won me over. It was
freshly painted, and detailed well, but as anyone who enjoys an English car will
tell you, they always need some extra TLC. But it was cheap, and I swapped even
for my El Camino, and driving past all my friends’ houses to show it off, it was
pointed out that whoever did the painting, mispelled Midget when they put the
letters back on, I had just bought a MIGDET! Of which my car friends chided me,
and I couldn’t live down. Blame it on youth, age 22, income level, broke
student, or falling for a pretty face-true, I had bought a MIGDET, a one off I
told others, who at least could spell. But the worst part was not being able to
fit my dirt bike in it like I had in the El Camino. And I learned to do parking
brake u-turns, and the wind in your face somehow was all worth it. It would
break down, leave me stranded, and many times have me longing for my El Camino,
but every time I see one, I want another. A Midget this time, not another
MIGDET....
I learned why the car was so cheap after buying it, I wish I had before,
but somehow I still may have done the trade. I had bought cheap more than
anything, if priced only a few dollars higher, I would have passed, but the
price won me over. Now car guys have always made fun of their friend’s cars,
some earning names of respect, others of ridicule. I worked with a guy Norm
once who owned a Pontiac Firebird, the joke being the acronym for PONTIAC, Poor
Old Norm Thinks It’s A Camaro. The funny part being Norm never got it....but in
this world of badge engineering, passing low end Mercedes Benz with AMG
stickers, or M Power BMW’s that aren’t, so many think they can say one thing and
we won’t get it. Years ago I knew a guy who had a Pontiac Le Mans, great car,
but added some wheels and GTO emblems and thought he had a Goat, until the 326
two barrel couldn’t keep up, and he became the butt of many jokes. On face
value many cars appear to be what they advertise, but when the flag drops, and
the BS stops, you can easily separate the cheap from the Goats. So beware of
perception, as today it has become truth in many circles. And if anyone tries
to pass off a Butterscotch MIGDET as custom....well, you’ve been warned.
There is a group of Christians who think we should all get together and
sing Kum By Yah, and the world will be a better place. But Jesus never tells us
that, in fact he tells us that whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but
whoever gives his live for him and the gospel will save it. Yet that moronic
blue bumper sticker tells us that all religions are OK, and we should get along,
leaving Jesus Christ out of the equation. He also tells us that he will
separate the sheep from the goats, the saved from the unsaved, the religious
from the righteous. He can tell who puts on their Sunday go to meeting face,
and who lives the life for him daily. Who reads his word and who has his word
in him. Who is a safe and stylish Christian, and who follows where the spirit
leads. Some are easy to spot, yet others are confusing, like my MIGDET. Until
you look closely, and know what you are looking for, it all looks good if the
paint is shiny. They are also described as wolves in sheep’s clothing, One
requires dependence on God, the other flaunts how he lives and is responsible
for his success. Put simply Jesus tells us to trust and obey, and leave the
responsibilities of God to God. How many people do you know who have everything
they want, but don’t want everything they have? We all fall short, it takes the
spirit to distinguish the cheap from the goats. But to those who pick up their
cross and don’t just wear it around their neck, they find joy in what they have,
still desiring new things, but waiting on God for them. Rich and rewarding take
on a new meaning, you will also be satisfied. Maybe Michael Jagger singing
about “can’t get no” was right.
But to those who are saved, death will mean life, but to the others death
will mean death. He who dies with the most toys still dies. If only the
importance of the victory at the cross was considered if only the urging of the
holy spirit was listened too, how different our lives would be. If you are
looking for a feel good religion, you will miss out on Jesus. His was one tough
dude to hang on the cross for sinners who hated him. We joke about Norm’s
Firebird, my MIGDET, and the phonies with TURBO or engine labels that lie.
Religion that is cheap is just that, Jesus came to rescue us from it. Le Mans
or Goat, sheep or goat, Jesus knows. Stickers don’t make a car more powerful,
just as a Bible cover, a fish on your bumper, and having your radio set to KWVE
don’t make you a Christian. When the flag drops, and you are tested, don’t be
like an old Ford, Found On Road Dead. A Mercury by any other name....used cars
and used people best left to Jesus.
Of course the guy who just bought a used YAHAMA would never make that
mistake, would you? Or does GS stand for Goes Slow, and SS for Stands Still?
GT-Garbage Truck? Maybe ask Norm....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com