WRECKING YARD WAXING
Have you ever wondered about those "religious signs" you see from time to time? You know the signs I mean, they're usually about 4' x 4' and have a verse on them that's designed to make passersby think about God. Usually you'll spy them in strategically placed locations that are easily glimpsed from the road as you zoom, I mean, drive responsibly by. The most common of these religious signs is the ever popular--"Prepare to Meet Thy Maker." I've seen that sign more times then I have toes and fingers to count on! I've see it in front of houses, in pasture land with nothing but cows to keep it company. I've seen it both coming and going!
Now to be honest with you, seeing one of these signs in the middle of nowhere, often in the most idyllic of settings doesn't do much for me. Then again maybe that's the best place for a sign like that. When we're in the midst of the idyllic thoughts about God and eternity are usually the last things on our mind. So, why not supply a little reality check? Besides, who am I to look down my nose at anyone who puts a little effort into turning people toward God?
Recently I came across this very sign in a location that was wonderfully appropriate. A couple of weeks ago I got a call from a buddy of mine who needed a ride to pick up his car. My buddy's been driving around for a while with no reverse. Have you ever tried to drive without reverse? LIfe suddenly gets very complicated when you have to look for parking spots that you don't have to back out of. Try it sometime! Anyway, he had dropped off his car at the local auto wreckers to have a used transmission put in. Now ol' blue was as good as new, or at least better than before. Arrangements were made and I picked up my friend and off we went. A half an hour later we drove into the wreckers.
As wreckers go, this place was first rate, there was a lot of junk sitting around, but at least he had a wall up to hid all the automotive autopsies from the highway. In the midst of this disassembled chaos was the sign of which I speak, "Prepare to Meet Thy Maker." It was nailed to the garage. What a fitting location! Why you say? Let me give you a couple of reasons:
First, could there possibly be a better place to be confronted by a message like that? Amongst the husks of "mechanical once wases," our dreams of business as usual immortality comes to a screeching halt. Each of those "vehicular used to bes" was a brand new creation at one time. Each one was perfectly formed, without blemish (except for the Fords), ready for a life on the road, but now. . . . Now life has left it's mark. Empty shells, pieces and parts are all that remains. The same is true for many people who live their lives without regard for their Creator. Oh they may have their day in the sun with the top down and the wind at their back and only open road in front of them, but that's guaranteed to change. At some point they will be taken off the road because they'll be unable to go forward any longer. Sadly, they won't return to their Creator.
Second, for those who are well acquainted with their Maker, the wreckers is a place of hope. True, these cars may not be perfect, but there in the yard, they're still being used. They're still redeemable! They supplied parts and pieces, nuts and bolts to ensure that others of their kind are able to continue down the Heavenly Highway. In other words, out of the wrecked, the damaged, the rusted, the broken comes hope and life. Isn't that a great reminder of what God has done for us? We may have made wrecks out of our lives, and by our choices, our sins, our mistakes we may have dented and rusted our souls, but through Christ we are redeemed!
Let's face it, life's a wrecking yard for everyone, but it doesn't have to be a hopeless experience! If you haven't met your Maker why not pull over on the shoulder of lifes' highway and get a tune up that will fit you for Heavenly turnpike. Perhaps it's time you also started to read your owners manual (the Bible). If you want to know more about Jesus, or if you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me, I'll point you to a mechanic that will fix you up better than new and the cost is absolutely free! Now when did you ever get a deal like that?
