My Dream Car

Pastor Kirk Statler – North English Christian Church
Summer 2007

There are many things that have become “traditional” over time with the celebration of the 4th of July, Independence Day. Fireworks, parades, carnivals, picnics, hot weather and, oh yes, car shows. Matter of fact, many of you reading this may have just enjoyed a great one at Williamsburg! Though I write this slightly before the event, I can assure you that I’ll be there as well. Why? Well, I have a son who is a “car nut” – he dreams of them, studies them, plays games with them, and he just bought his first one. He is already learning the “joys” of car ownership! One of the things we enjoy doing together is watching those shows on cable TV where they take an old, rusty, worn out, broken down car and make it into something incredibly beautiful, valuable, and desirable. You’ve probably seen at least one of these “show cars” driving down the road as they travel to their next destination to compete for “Best of Show” or the like. I keep hoping my son will submit me and my car for one of these miracle make-overs!

It’s hard to imagine anyone who wouldn’t love to have one of these beautiful cars. My dream? I’d love to have a candy-apple red convertible with about 400 horsepower, custom wheel rims, and leather interior. Who wouldn’t take one of these? But how easy it is to forget that this very same car quite likely started out as little more than pieces of metal bonded together by rust and “cloud scenes” of fading paint. Just as it’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t want the show car, there aren’t many people who’d be drawn to it in the latter condition. But Scripture tells us that’s exactly how we appeared to God before He began His good work on and in us. That’s right, until we enter God’s “body shop” and He begins upgrading (and at times completely replacing) our “engine” (heart), “wheels” (motivations), paint (personality) and more, we’re not much to look at. Only a true “people lover” (God) could ever envision what this life of ours, our “car” could look like with the touch of the Master Restorer.

The hardest part is that very few “cars” like the process of restoration, for it requires sanding, scraping, cutting away, welding and polishing – all pretty traumatic experiences for a work in process. But this process is absolutely necessary if the “car” is ever going to be the beautifully restored work it can be. It requires trusting the Restorer and choosing to accept the process even when it looks like it’s going the wrong direction!

The best news is that this process has been going on for a long time – the Restorer knows what He is a doing – and He is an expert. He took His most significant step ever towards the restoration of our “cars” when He sent His Son as a little baby nearly 2000 years ago. While it did not complete the process of restoration, it guaranteed it for all who would choose to go into His “body shop.”

What kind of car do you dream of? What kind of life? As you enjoy this Independence Day, 2007, may you have renewed appreciation that we are not totally independent. That you have a God you can depend on, extremely committed to the restoration process He is doing on your life. While it will at times be difficult and possibly even painful, the finished product of your “car,” your life will be something incredibly beautiful, valuable and desirable. See you on the highway…or at the next car show – honk if you see us!