Tags
Antique Cars, Chevrolet, Christ, Farmer's Market, Ford, Mustang, renewal, resurrection, Saskatchewan
About a month ago, my wife and I went for a leisurely Saturday drive out to the Carp Farmer’s Market about a half hour from Ottawa. It was one of those ideal summer mornings—perfect weather. We thoroughly enjoyed the displays of fresh produce and home-baked goods, but best of all we enjoyed sampling them. Surrounded by friendly faces and some live country music, who could ask for more?
But there was more. On the fairgrounds next to the farmer’s market antique autos were rolling into position for a 100+ vintage car exhibit. I’ve always revelled in these displays, so after a locally prepared midmorning snack, we sauntered over.
Now I admit I find early twentieth century cars fascinating, but for me, pure nostalgia draws me to the mid-century beauties of the 1950’s and ’60’s—the cars of my childhood and youth. Nothing says classic styling like the fins on a ’57 Chevy or a mid ’60’s Mustang.
But for me the real find—the pearl among the oysters—was a green 1953 Ford. Why did this car attract me like a magnet? It was the first car I remember—my father’s family car. I remember every detail about it from the chrome jet hood ornament to the Ford name crest on the trunk.
A thousand half-forgotten memories flooded back when I set eyes on that car. I was a one-year-old when Dad bought that car back in Saskatchewan. I cut my teeth in that old Ford and it was a central part of so many childhood memories. And here it was—a near perfect replica—sitting before me some sixty years later. Furthermore, my name was on the license plate. How cool is that!
Unfortunately, over time we have lost so much. My father’s old Ford went to rust bucket heaven a decade or two after he drove it home from the dealer. Cars rust, fabric frays, memories fade. That’s why I draw so much comfort from this Bible verse: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This body of mine may be growing old and showing signs of wear, but in Christ I am being renewed every day. If there is resurrection and renewal for old cars, surely through faith in the risen Christ there is hope for this old body of mine. And if that be true there may even be hope for my Dad’s old 1951 pick-up truck stored in a shed in Saskatchewan, and my grandma’s bones stored in a grave a few miles away.
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable (1 Corinthians 15:42).
There’s hope and renewal for old Ford’s and Kitz’s too!
David Kitz is an award-winning author and Bible dramatist. For details on his book and drama ministry visit www.davidkitz.ca
David, thanks for the post today. It has resurrected some great old memories of my own of the many road trips we took as a family to visit my dad’s relatives in Kansas and Colorado. Most of all it has renewed the assurances I have in my Savior and that one day this body that is showing the signs of age and mortality, has been renewed in Christ and will one day be exchanged for a heavenly model that will never rust, corrode, have flat tires or be in need of repair ever again.
Your comments are appreciated, GeeCee. If humans can resurrect the bodies and engines of old cars, then surely the Creator of all life can do the same with the human models He engineered. Through the resurrection of Christ we have been born again to a new and living hope.
I love classic cars. And thank you for the reminder that as Christians we are being renewed every day. I find that to be so true as I dig deeper into the Word daily, drawing nearer to Christ. Blessings.
Yes, the Holy Spirit renews our minds through the Word. One day our bodies will be fully renewed too. Hallelujah!