I about keeled over when my hubby Bert talked about selling his 1985 CJ7 Jeep.
He bought it used in 2010, polished the sun-damaged red paint until the entire Jeep gleamed, and worked on the engine til it purred. Aside from the occasional carburetor troubles, he loved this vehicle.
He’d talked about unloading it for a year or so, but I knew he wouldn’t do it. That Jeep continued to be his pride and joy. Neighbors would stop by to chat with him about it, and Bert would come in the house holding his cheeks - they ached from all the grinning he’d done.
What price do you put on that kind of joy?
So, when he announced he was putting an ad in the neighborhood newspaper, I waved my hand in the air and went back to work. I knew how much effort he’d put into restoring the Jeep. Who’d want that old clunker anyway? But then the calls came in and the Jeep zoomed out of our driveway, and tears filled my eyes. Bert’s too.
A few days ago, our neighbor stopped by with the Jeep. He explained that a mechanic friend searched until he located the precise carburetor for this Jeep. Then he took Bert for a ride. Though filled with nostalgia at its parting, Bert loved that the Jeep ran better than ever before. “Like new,” were his words.
And isn’t that exactly what Jesus does for us?
2 Cor. 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
When we turn our lives over to Jesus, give Him ownership and allow Him to work in us, He makes us new. He washes us clean in His life-giving blood, searches out and heals the sin-damaged areas, and sets us free to live for Him.
And then, with Him in the driver’s seat, He takes us on an unforgettable ride. All the way home. And there’s room for so many more! In fact, why don’t you let Him give you a lift?
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal.2:20, NKJV)
AN UNFORGETTABLE RIDE
Thank you for the uplifting message:) It's a blessing to be reminded that we're new in Christ, and that He continues the work in us.
What a great analogy of the Holy Spirit’s work in us! I loved this story, and I have a lot of respect for Bert for being able to let go of something he loved. He’s storing up his treasure in heaven.