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Mercury, T-Bird, or Pink Cadillac (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Our Salvation, our inheritance is now in heaven but, in the end, it will come here. It reminds me of a 16-year-old whose dad promised her his fancy car, when she was old enough to drive. The daughter was very excited to turn 16. But even then she wasn’t ready to drive. She had to learn: take lessons, pass tests, practice driving. Even after she had turned 16 her dad was still holding the car for her until she was ready to drive. This is what it is like for us. 


Maybe the resurrection was the promise that God would give us the car of our inheritance, which He is keeping in perfect condition for us in heaven’s garage until we are finally ready to receive it, drive it, care for it, love it, share it, and look after it. 


From the time we are promised the car (and even from the time we turned 16) until we are able to drive it, we still need to walk; we still need to get rides from our parents and if we have older siblings or friends, our friends.  We still need to take the bus, other transit, or maybe ride a bike. Even after we are 16, we can’t drive our car until we have our license.  


Just like the written and driving tests give us experience and knowledge so that we can properly protect the car, others and ourselves; so too the tests in this life make us better able to care for and fully experience our salvation which is held for us in heaven. 


Maybe, extending this analogy further, Jesus is your dad, whom you’ve never known, or haven’t seen because he has had to go off to another country to get his PR or citizenship; you love him as you wait eagerly for your 16th birthday to receive your car from your dad and you long for the day when you will be united with him and can drive together forever in this gift that is your salvation. 

 

 

How are you getting ready to receive the gift of the culmination of your salvation that is waiting for you in heaven’s garage?

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