Mustang Gospel

I got to ride in a convertible the other day. It was a warm sunny day, and a chipper church friend and neighbor spontaneously called up to ask if anybody in our household wanted to go to Kimball Farms for ice cream. When I found out that we'd get to ride in her convertible, I didn't have to think very hard. I probably would have said yes even if there had been no ice cream on the other end! But having ice cream was definitely extra gravy. (Ha ha! The power of words--you're probably inwardly cringing right now at the ice cream and gravy juxtaposition? Hmm, well, I did it on purpose:)

I've decided that the Gospel is like a convertible Mustang.

No, we weren't riding in a Mustang. In fact, I'm blithely terrible with car names and I don't remember or really care what kind of car we actually were riding in . . . the only point in caring is so I can tell people what it was, but since most girls don't care a lot and most guys aren't shocked that you don't know (unless their names are Stephen or Daniel), then I don't mind being blissfully ignorant.

Anyway, as I thought back over the sweet savor of the wind on my skin as we glided around curves and basked in the sunshine, I decided that the Gospel is like a convertible Mustang. It is a free gift and virtually a free ride to heaven. It is perfect just as it is, no matter whether you're driving to get ice cream in heaven or not, and to add to or take away from the simplicity of it would mar its beauty. You still have free will, but since the deal comes with making God your Driver then you know there's only one glorious destination (ice cream!) as long as you let Him stay there.

Yes, it might not always be easy once you've accepted this free ride (please don't think I'm speaking of prosperity gospel here!). Bugs may hit the windshield, or cold wind might whip you about, but you're still in the Mustang. The Gospel isn't any less desirable even after an apparent "beating." It's still complete and whole and wonderful, and it's still classy as long as you choose to see it that way. Passengers may vary, but the Gospel never does.

Neither does the Driver.