Lovely title, huh? These are the kind of word pictures that come about when trying to teach life lessons to a 15 year old boy. My husband is GREAT about coming up with word pictures... me, on the other hand.. I get a headache trying to come up with even just one very simple, effective one!
So anyway, this morning we were talking to our son about having a rebellious spirit.. something his mama knows a thing or two about. We wanted to make sure, however, that he knew we weren't criticizing who he is, or that we thought he was doomed to be a failure because of his struggle in this area.
That's when my husband told him to picture himself as a really sweet 2011 Mustang Convertible. My contribution to this word picture was to ask him what color he was.. he was silver. So in the driveway sits this shiny, cool, new Mustang with lots of cool options - we're talkin' this thing is perfect and ready to go do what its made to do! But before it can back out of the driveway, a big dump truck comes along and drops 17 tons of manure right on top of the car!!! So now, when you look out in the driveway, what do you see? (a huge pile of manure) Is the Mustang still there? (yeah, but you can't see it) So what you are going to do about it? (dig it out and take it to the repair shop)
Our son got the picture... he is an awesome shiny new Mustang with great potential. He is wonderful in our sight and God's. His rebellious spirit sometimes covers up who he is.. like a big pile of manure. In order to be that shiny car, he needs to go to the "Repair Shop" where Jesus will make him completely new and ready to be effectively used!!
That's you and me, too... so what's your pile of manure? Arrogance, Jealousy, Insecurity, Greed, Shame, Lust, Gossip, Cheating or Stealing, Rebellion, Deception, Anger, Hatred, Unforgiveness, Self-Righteousness, Unbelief, Raunchy TV or books...
As women, most of us don't get particularly excited about car analogies.. but we get the point, and certainly none of us want to be buried under a pile of manure! You are beautiful in God's eyes and he has plans to use you effectively for his kingdom. Let's head to the Repair Shop where Jesus will glady and miraculously RESTORE US to our full potential; to be fully used by HIM!!!
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Oh my goodness, Linda, I love this analogy! How more real of a picture can this be. Something else to think about is that sometimes that manure truck comes along multiple times in our lives, even weeks or sometimes, days. We must always be reminded to get the stink and dirt taken off of us by seeking out Jesus. Ok so my manure takes many forms and one of those is humbling myself in love and obedience rather than because I feel guilty or just simply not humbling myself at all--the topic of the next Ignite meeting!
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