It was the first weekend of February, 1958. My family was driving near Everett, WA on our way to celebrate my grandmother’s birthday. I still have the image in my mind.
Growing up, all my friends and I could identify the make and year of nearly every car on the road. Metal mattered to us. Many conversations were simply, “55 Chevy.” “1957 Dodge.” “62 Vette!”
As we drove up Hi Way 99 that day, I remember seeing a “brand new” 1958 Fo
rd in a junk yard. The crash must have occurred from the front end, because what I saw were the distinct twin tail lights. Even at my young age, I somehow caught the irony. A “brand new” car in a junk yard. Someone saved, dreamed, studied, and thought about that car. Then they went to the dealer and bought it! They were delighted. And a few weeks after it came off the production line, it was no more than stacked junk metal.
This was part of what God used in my life to teach me the truth of a verse I would later read in Matthew 6. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Things that are brand new don’t stay brand new. Things that can be broken will be broken. Don’t count on them being new forever. Material things matter. Sometimes metal matters. But there are other things that are far more valuable than metal.
Thank you, Tychicus
[Subscribe using menu on the left.]
Wise words, Dennis.
But I must confess, I am hoping heaven is a little like Cuba; lots of cars from the mid-50’s to late 60’s, but in pristine condition, 100 galaxies to the gallon, never a flat tire … all convertibles …
(:>)
I will quote Phil… I hope Heaven will be like Cuba… 🙂