Monday, January 10, 2011

Are There Sports Cars in Heaven?

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt. 6:19-21

“Do you want to go for a drive?” I eagerly asked my husband at ten-thirty last night.

After almost twenty years of soda-stained mini-vans and broken down clunkers, we decided to get ourselves a used luxury car. Does it financially make sense? Nope. Is it economical to fix? Nope. Do the kids fit in it comfortably? Not on your life.

But, do I look good in it? Yep!

The outside sparkles and the interior is cleaner than my kitchen sink. It even has the new-car smell I’ve always wanted. After a few days of zipping around town, I tried to ignore the flashing yellow lights—already the Lord began cautioning me.

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” The verse came up at church yesterday morning and I scoffed. There’s no way you could be talking to me Lord. It's me, Joanne. I always put you first, remember?

This morning the verse came up again in my devotion time. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. I couldn’t shake it. He was clearly warning me.

Is it my middle-age? Do I have some hormonal imbalance? Sitting behind the wheel of this car unleashed a totally different person. I had no idea how much I’d love to step on the accelerator of a car that does more than seven miles per hour in the slow lane. Hugging winding roads felt as smooth as a hot knife through butter. I told my husband, “The faster I go, the younger I feel. Do you think it’s taking years off my life? Do I look younger to you? Well mister, do I?”

God knows my heart. My daily sweatshirt and jeans show I’m far from a fashion plate, and a great desire for “stuff” has never been a huge problem on my spiritual radar scren. Yet, I still have a sin-nature that only needs a tiny match to ignite a forest fire for vanity and things that will lay up no treasure whatsoever in Heaven.

God’s not an ol’ fuddy-duddy who wants to deny me of all future joy rides. He created me and knows me intimately, so He knows when something is creeping up the priority list in my life and getting dangerously close to His first place seat.

Today, I think I’ll toss Him the keys to the car and be grateful to sink into my grey leather spot right beside Him. I hope He likes to drive fast.

3 comments:

Erin MacPherson said...

Hi Joanne! How are you? Just yesterday in our small group, we read chapter 7 of "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and it's about treasure on earth and in heaven and it was SO convicting!! It talked about giving not out of our abundance and about how materialism in our culture is so prevalent. I've been thinking/praying about it a lot today so your post really struck me. Thanks.

Chris said...

I can see you in this car... Yes! You look Ma..vo ...lus, Da'ling! Zoom Zoom!

Unknown said...

What a great reminder! BTW, I think He does like to drive fast!!!

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