The Ultimate RestorationWritten by John Vukovich, Jr.Ever have this happen? You follow a lead, and travel a great distance, and when you finally get to open up that old garage door, or trudge behind the barn, you lay eyes on a very rare musclecar like a '67 GTX or a '70 Chevelle that has been slowly rusting away, neglected, a shadow of its former self. You wonder, how could such an interesting and valuable piece of automotive history be subjected to such a fate? Closer inspection of the car reveals signs of its increasingly harder life. A few well intentioned speed parts take the place of the factory designed originals. Driving the car through the salt and snow has left gaping holes in the quarter panels, fenders, and floor. The original AM radio is gone, replaced with a more "modern" system that played what the owner wanted to hear at the time. When you talk to the most recent owner, he tells you that the original owner really did take good care of the car. He tells you that it was kept in the garage, and never even saw rain or snow until much later in its life. He goes on to tell you that the speed parts were added to the car, and the original parts discarded, after the guys at the local burger stand recommended them. He remembers that the car actually ran slower and was less dependable after the changes were made. The car, now running worse than ever, was kicked down to being the daily beater car, and was driven as hard as possible, through all kinds of weather. Then, one day when it would not run any more, it was simply pushed out of the way, and all but forgotten. But, today is the day that YOU discover the car! You have the tools and experience to totally dismantle this car, fix the rust, re-install the correct engine parts, and paint the body even better than it was when sitting on the showroom floor. Of course, everything from the suspension to the interior will be completely refurbished, and will satisfy the driving requirements of even the most demanding driver. Some people may consider you crazy! "That car is too far gone to be saved!" "It's been through too much, you'll never get it finished!" "People don't drive THOSE any more!" But thankfully, you don't listen. You know the worth of this incredible car.
Isn't it interesting that sometimes our own lives can be compared to these rare musclecars? We often let what might seem like great advice from our friends "slow us down" and get us into trouble, and wonder why we don't feel our best after we let ourselves run through the dirty side of life. Sure, we try to "wash up" for work on Monday, but just like the salt that creeps into the little hidden crevices in the body of the car, our actions can build up and corrode even the strongest hearts. But, today can be the day that you let Jesus Christ "discover" you!!! Just as we search for the old, forgotten muscle car, He has been searching for you for a long time, and has already traveled the distance to bring YOU home. And you are far more valuable than ANY car on this planet! There will be some who will say "No way, I'm too far gone!" and "I've been through too much, I can never be saved!" Or even "Nobody believes that old Christian stuff any more!" But, just like the old GTX or Chevelle, your Creator has the tools and the experience, and the desire to lovingly restore anyone to better than new! To be sure, it might be painful to leave your old life and habits behind, but no more painful than using the cutting wheel to cut off a rusted quarter panel! It's just something that has to be done! If you will let Him, God can restore YOUR heart. All you have to do is simply let go of it, and put your faith in his only son, Jesus Christ. And since you already know that no restoration project is complete without a few skinned knuckles and a little shed blood, you'll be relieved that God's son Jesus has already suffered and shed HIS blood in your place! How wonderful! He has already paid the price for YOUR restoration! God loves you, and has also set up a sort of "toll free hotline" that is available to you 24/7, it's called prayer! It's already available to you right now, if you want to ask him today to begin your restoration project. God hears even the quietest prayer, and you don't even have to know the "right" words to ask for help.
"If you have prayed this prayer, and want to follow Jesus Christ as your Savior, you need to tell someone about it! Ever find a really good car club, where you meet some other enthusiasts who are eager to help you, and where you feel welcomed, and learn more about your own particular interests, even if you are driving the ugliest car in the crowd? Honestly, finding a good church can be the same way. Many of the people you will meet have had the same experiences that you have, and may be struggling with the same "rusty bolts" that you are struggling with in your own life! Don't worry, they're not perfect, many have just started on their own restoration too. I know that many of them will also love to help you in your heart's restoration project, and will stand beside you as you get your soul in "better than new" condition. Just as you wouldn't drive your freshly restored car through the salt and snow any more, your new life should be re-directed with God's help to avoid the "salt and snow" that may have caused bodily and spiritual damage a longtime ago. You may have had friends in the past give you their ideas about camshafts and headers, and there will also be those who will give you their ideas about using drugs, alcohol, or straying from your marriage. Don't listen. Because just like the factory's own Service Manual can be an invaluable guide to the maze of wires under the dashboard, God has given us His own "service manual" to guide us through the mazes of life.
And just in case you thought that God doesn't like Hot Rods, I'm here to tell you some good news! As long as cars and trucks take the proper place in your life, and don't get in the way of your relationships with Him, and your friends and family, God really enjoys seeing you happy! So, that means that if you are His, and driving an old musclecar or truck, then so be it! There are MANY Christian oriented organizations, publications, and clubs that enjoy God's word AND neat cars, trucks, and boats! Here are just a few you can check out:
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. To put it another way; Jesus can save you from the rust and stain of sin, and from the penalty of sin. "There is no other name under heaven by which man might be saved." Acts 4:12. The best muscle car restorations use only original, factory created parts, so you too must also call out the only name that God gave to all of mankind which can save you, Jesus Christ. This takes a willingness on your part to let him restore you. "For behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20. Did you ever miss out on a great deal because you found out about it too late? Well, don't worry, because "EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13. Just do it soon! Want to talk more about what God can do in your life? Feel free to call or write! Phone: 757 - 591 -8853, e-mail: johnsgarage@earthlink.net John Vukovich, Jr. |