I always wanted a cool car. I guess its one of those things that got in my head when I was a kid. I can remember being on the bus on the way to school and pointing out cars and saying "I want that car" over and over as we went to school. It was youthful exuberance, but I think it ingrained something in me at a very young age.
I think society does it to us also. If you ever watch any TV, you see the countless commercials that show new cars and trucks. The feeling that those ads are always portraying is "you'll be someone if you have this".
When got out of the Military, I bought a Kia Rio. If you don't know what that is, its a really small Korean car. I'm 6'5", so watching me get in and out of that thing, was quite amusing I'm sure.
At my last job, I got promoted, and when I got promoted, my VP told me, "no sales manager of mine is going to drive a Kia Rio". So in good American Fashion, I went out and bought a brand new 2006 Chrysler 300 the day I got promoted. It was sweet. Chrome rims, tinted windows, two 12 inch woofers in the back. I can still remember what I said when I drove it up to my Grandpa's house to show it to him, I said, "Gramps its amazing how much this car affects my self esteem". I was somebody when I drove that car.
Some of you may remember we flipped our minivan in January. I no longer drive the 300. Its become the family vehicle. The trunk now carries groceries. I now drive a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup that someone gave to me.
My esteem in my vehicle is now a bit different. Its been a growing experience to have a vehicle that no one comments on. To have a truck that's transportation. To realize as the Bible says that " a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions".
I am blessed man. What I drive does not define me. Who I am, and the gifts I have have nothing to do with what I have. The people who love me, love me, not my car.
Sure, there's nothing wrong with a great vehicle, and one day I'm sure I'll get a different one, but I've learned that I will own my next vehicle, it will not own me.
Blessings
matt
Amen! That would make a fantastic sermon. Thanks for giving me perspective today.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. The only reason I started going to that church was the 300... I didn't care that you were a success in your marriage, or that you were a loving person, or that you weren't judgemental, and that you have a good personality. I just saw the car... LOL What you drive doesn't define you. As we grow older, I think we start to realize what truly matters in life... Good blog today as usual.. God Bless
ReplyDeleteGreat blog pastor Matt! As we grow older, and more and more "stuff" comes in and out of ones life, you realize that "stuff" is always temporary and fleeting at best. The really important things are those that last - like a loving relationship with family, friends and God. Thanks for the perspective pastor Matt.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you have had your revelation, I am striving for the shape of my body to define me.
ReplyDeleteI will get it one day!