Clunkers

At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.
2nd Corinthians 5:16b-18 NLT

Let me start with telling you that I used to drive an honest-to-goodness, genuine, bonafide, redneck clunker... one that kind souls had poured money in to make sure it kept running and was road-worthy. And when I drove to work or to the store, I used to park in the back or on the side - away from the new cars and the lights - because my car always looked worse sitting between two nice cars. Don't get me wrong - I was grateful it ran. In fact, I'm sure owning that car improved my prayer life, but I was embarrassed to the point that I wanted to nominate my own car for the show where they take the clunkers and fix them up.

A few years later, I was able to purchase a new car. One night, backing out of a front-row parking space, I caught a view of that car in the glass storefront and whispered, "Thank You, God..." I was sincere in my thanks, but I was clueless.

Immediately, God reminded me of where He TRULY had brought me from...and it had nothing to do with a car or with me being honest-to-goodness or genuine. However, I guarantee I was a bonafide, sin-sick clunker of a woman who didn't have the good sense to be ashamed of my sin until He opened my eyes to get a view of myself from His holy perspective. Oh, praise God for His mercy and His GREAT grace!! Driving a nice car will not get me to Heaven or have any effect on my eternity one way or the other (unless there's a pride issue.) I can stand with my head up only because HE is the lifter of my head. Because HE has washed my sins away. Because I am loved so much that He sent His Son to die in my place...

Whether I'm looking in a storefront window or glancing in the rearview mirror - It's a great view from where I am... here at the foot of the Cross.

Prayer:

Father,
           Like the old song says, if they could see where You brought me from, they would know why I love You so. It's our desire to live like You and for You. Keep our vision clear so we can find our way home in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen