I was driving south last Friday when I saw it. "IT" was one of the best vanity license plates I have ever seen. To appreciate the message you had to see the car. It was a 1969 Mustang convertible--bright orange – in showroom condition. Hanging onto the back of that pony for every passing motorist to see was a tag that read, "WAS JUNK." I could appreciate the message. My son invested two years and thousands of dollars restoring a relic. I pulled alongside the driver and offered my admiration for his galloping beauty. The owner looked at me and said, "It really was junk!"
As I think about that car, I think about myself. I was junk--spiritually speaking. But God, the Great Restorer of human souls invested his very best--Jesus Christ--to bring me back to life. Paul writes about this to the Ephesian church:
"Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms--all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.." (Ephesians 2:1-7 NLT)
What possesses a person to take a rusted out, smoke belching four-wheel piece of junk and gradually nurse it back to life? LOVE!
It is God's love that brings people from death to life. And God's love never stops. His work in our lives is an ongoing restoration job. Do you think the owner of the `69 Mustang will let his pride and joy deteriorate? Unlikely! Even though he might stop polishing the paint, God will never stop his work in us.
Are you feeling a little "junky" today? Just remember that God began the restoration job and he is not quitting until you're showroom condition.
FOCAL POINT: When you see a license plate today, let it remind you about your God who delights in taking "junk" and transforming it into something in showroom condition.
Copyright © 2009 Tommy Kiedis