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McQueen or Mater?

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Was it really 5 years ago when Lightning McQueen and the gang roared onto the screen and created the magic known as Cars?

I place Cars in the category of mesmerizing because if I start watching this film at any point, I simply have to finish it.  One might think that after the 374^th time of seeing the movie, I might have grown weary of it.  That coupled with the constant reminders of the 200 billion dollar merch empire (i.e., I feed my children breakfast in a Pixar Cars bowl on top of their Disney Pixar Cars placemat, which is next to their Disney Pixar Cars backpack that has their Disney Pixar Cars folders and Disney Pixar Cars pencils)-

And YET- I still love this animated phenom…

Now Cars 2 is here, and the gang takes the world stage with Lightning in a mega race and Mater (Tow- Mater) involved in International Espionage.

Beside all the humor and entertainment in Cars 2, there is a moral lesson that runs like a frontage road  beside the “ life is a highway”’ plotline:

The lemons are losers, and losers go bad.

By ‘lemons’ -  I mean terrible, ugly, poorly built automobiles from years gone by.  They are the bad guys in Cars 2, and it seems that their rejection had made them into bitter vehicles fueled by revenge.

This storyline works well in an animated world, but do you think this is a reflection of real life?  Is it easier to turn bad when you are not one of the sleek, cool “cars” in our culture?

Probably so, because we Americans (and Christians too) love our “hip-ness,” and rejection might be one of our greatest fears. 

And no WAY do we want to play the lemon role in our life movie. But can I let you in on a very important truth about following Jesus Christ?

You’re a lemon and loser in the world’s eyes…and so am I. Don’t believe me?  Then trust God’s portrayal of us:

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.  As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

So there we have it.  God chose the lemon that is me so that no “coolness” would get in the way of His perfect and awesome plan for my life.  The world may see a loser, but God sees a living display of His amazing grace.

And you have a choice as well.  Satan may tempt you to bitterness when the world rejects you for following Jesus, but remember that the God of the universe chose you to do things for Him that will last forever!  Isn’t it incredibly freeing to know that God made you exactly the way you are and loves you unconditionally?

What this means for me is that rather than wasting time and energy on peer acceptance and social standing, I can focus on THE Cause to which God called me. While most people are in the race to be the world’s winner like Lightning McQueen, I can just be more like plain old ‘Mater and get involved in the real excitement of good vs. evil.

Does this mean you shouldn’t dress nice, take care of yourself, and treat others the way you’d like to be treated?  Absolutely not!  But don’t just focus on your shiny paint job and what others think of you.  Trust me, you can be the “coolest” human being on the planet, but when your life shouts out allegiance to Jesus Christ, the world may turn on you faster than last year’s winner of the Piston Cup.

So as you head out on your personal race called life this week, take encouragement from another “loser” who was killed for his faith:

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!

—An unnamed African pastor

 

Overcoming the fear of rejection and embracing the Biblical calling to “go against the flow” of culture is a difficult process, but when you are able to accomplish this through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will find amazing freedom in Christ.  One of the keys to success in living out THE Cause is caring infinitely more about what God thinks than the crowd around you.

Jesus, the Bible says that you were despised and rejected by people, and we know that you understand hatred from the world more than anyone who has ever lived.  Help me to forget about what people think and always remember that you have called us to be “losers” for your sake and THE Cause.

Galatians 1:10. Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

  Check out this “Uncool” T-shirt from Dare 2 Share. Awkward really is awesome when it give you an opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus!