Double Trouble

September  2021

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

One of my oldest and best friends, Ric, and I went to the same Church growing up. He was much smarter than me, and I absorbed all I could just being around him. Ric loved working on cars, owning them, driving them, and watching car races. Cars do not give me peace, but I really like cars. However, I didn’t realize how much trouble cars would cause—not just financially, but spiritually, physically, emotionally, rationally, and relationally—double trouble. It’s convicting to me that the definition of the Greek transliteration word for trouble in this Matthew 6:34 context of worry, is wickedness—as in evil (trouble, labor, misfortune), vicious disposition, malice, spite. God is very serious about us not worrying. And worrying appears closely aligned with trouble, especially when trouble is a result of my own sin of worldliness. “Thoughtfulness for our souls is the best cure of thoughtfulness for the world.” [Credit: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, Matthew 6:25-34] My penchant for cars often led to worry and trouble. I worried about whether I would own a sports car. Could I afford it? What about after the warranty expires? What about acquiring a used supercar as an investment? Where would I store it? How would I sell it? And on, and on, and on. Despite car trouble, Ric and I along with some other friends drove to the world series of drag racing, then later to road racing circuits where I was introduced to Ferrari race cars, which further fueled my passion. The sights and sounds of Rosso Corsa (blood red) fast and furious Ferraris imprinted me with lifetime memories, and the dream of owning one, though perhaps it would have owned me! If I had owned one, I probably would not have written this. A few years later, the powerful image stuck with me of a mysterious experimental 1966 Ford GTP J-car [so designated because it was constructed to meet new FIA Appendix J regulations] racing prototype being tested, designed for one purpose—to embarrassingly defeat Ferrari again at the 24 Heures du Mans (24 hours of Le Mans). I was curious because I never heard anything about it again, until years later when I learned the sad story.

The J-car prototype had redesigned aerodynamics and bonded honeycomb aluminum panels to form a lightweight, but rigid “tub.” Unfortunately it had major aerodynamic flaws and weak honeycomb/bolt attachments that became readily apparent during testing when the car looped at high speed, flipped and ejected renowned British sports car racing engineer and driver Ken Miles, killing him instantly. But even despite Ken’s death, my identity with this racing history was so powerful, that I desired a piece of the J-car wreckage from the racing museum that acquired remnants. Something physical along with the visual imagery it conveyed, seemed like it would create a closer connection for me. But the Holy Spirit began to convict me that this had become an idol in my heart and mind. I was profoundly impacted shortly after this through a story by Lisa Whelchel, actress, singer, songwriter, and author. Lisa performed on the Mickey Mouse Club as a Mouseketeer many years earlier and heard that her original pink Mickey Mouse ears were being auctioned. She was so excited. “I’ve gotta have these ears,” she thought, as she got ready to make an online bid. But the Lord whispered to her, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth…” (Matthew 6:19-24) From royalties Lisa earned writing a book, she had been deliberating whether to invest the money or give it away to make a big difference in someone’s life. She came to understand that giving it away was the best investment—investing it in God’s Kingdom on Earth, because the risk was a lot lower and the gains a lot higher. Later, the man who bought her ears was convicted in his spirit, “maybe these belong with Lisa.” Later he was led to give them to her, stating, “I’m not a religious person. Now that is not the kind of thought I would normally think.” “But he knew something or someone bigger was happening,” Lisa said. And she knew that only the intimacy of the Lord, her Heavenly Father would reach down and give her such a special gift. Instead of her ears becoming an idol, she used them as an altar onto the Lord, just like the children of Israel would build altars onto the Lord, and of the Lord, when He had intersected their lives personally—where He had met them, appeared to them, answered them in their distress, and been with them. “…Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.” (Exodus 20:24) She would pass this story on to her children. And in near-tears, her God story gripped my heart, convicting me to get back to investing more in His eternal kingdom, storing up treasures in Heaven, instead of desiring a hunk of fabricated honeycomb that cost a man his life. My sin is even more evil, worse than I thought—too much time researching investments and sports cars, attempting to store up for myself treasures on Earth instead of heaven, confusing human idols with God’s altars. But God’s mercy, grace, compassion, and love, His perfect ways and perfect timing led me back to victory as an overcomer in Christ.

This is an example of sin, when fully grown, leads to death. (James 1:15, Romans 6:16, 1 John 5:16, Proverbs 14:12, 16:25) In my case it did lead to the death of relationships through neglect, primarily because I fixed my eyes on specialty cars, which distracted me, instead of The Kingdom, and invested too much time researching financial investments, instead of investing in God’s Kingdom on Earth. I fell months behind in fellowship with believers, encouraging them to proclaim the gospel of peace, and witnessing to the lost. My prayer life became completely lethargic, no longer listening to the Holy Spirit, asking God how I should pray, referring to my prayer lists, and allowing email prayer requests to get pushed down the list until I got so far behind I forgot they were there.

To me, cars mean double trouble—in the form of a Ferrari coupe and a deuce coupe! Fast, beautiful and powerful cars became a passion of mine, but with a cost. Growing up on a midwest farm, our family would travel nearly every summer to California after the crops were planted. We had lots of relatives there, plus we loved the ocean. My cousin Arnie owned an auto parts shop, so I got to hang around him, see drag races, and dirt track racing, along with the West Coast hot rod scene. Three window chopped and channeled deuce coupes powerfully got into my bloodstream, especially if they had flames painted on the side!

The hot rod term “chopped” refers to the top being cut down, “channeled” refers to the body being cut down, and “deuce” is derived from the “2” in a 1932 Ford. I remember looking at the exposed engine of a beautiful, brightly painted street rod in which the owner replaced metal fuel lines with clear neoprene hoses, so I could see gasoline flowing into the carburetors. This was kind of an impactful, novel memory and moment for me, further fueling my interest in things automobile. Sixty years later, cars still get me into trouble. For example, breathing nitromethane [chemical formula similar to dynamite] fumes from 10,000 horsepower top fuel dragsters [zero to 330 miles per hour in 3 seconds to 1,000 feet] in the paddock area triggered my hyperactive sinus membranes, requiring over a month to fully heal.

Just recently I found myself irrationally desiring to purchase a low-priced street rod listed on the internet. This beautiful dark blue custom was attractively priced, which raised my curiosity as well as my suspicion, but I still followed up with the owner by email. Gradually over several days and questionable responses, along with the advice of a friend, I backed away from pursuing it. By God’s grace, I believe I was spared from a lot more trouble and a big mistake. “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” (Psalm 31:16) In these trying times, I grew discontented, sensing that God had a better use for my life and time on Earth. Ironically, to affirm my car craving, my wife recently gave me a “Hot Rod Rebel” T-shirt for Father’s Day, which I get a kick out of wearing, even though I don’t own one!

My hiking and work friend over many years, Ron, and I used to enjoy having lunch and then visiting the local Ferrari dealer to admire supercars, some selling for over a million dollars these days. One of my favorites was a shark-nose Ferrari F-430 F1 Coupe. A few years later I asked my wife if she would join me to look at some of the cars. As we stared at this gorgeous F-430, I asked her if she would like to sit in it, to which she agreed. Then I asked Vaughn if he would start the car for us so we could experience the sound of the powerful rear-mounted engine. He brought back the key, inserted it in the ignition, turned it, but not a sound. The battery was dead. At that moment, the dream was dead—but it’s even more exciting to know that over time, I became more alive in Christ. I believe that was God’s way of saying, “Dave, you’re an idiot. I don’t want you trying to buy this car, because I have a higher calling on your life.” Sometimes I don’t like God’s sense of humor! Interestingly, a couple years later that very car was worth over $100,000 more because wealthy people were buying them as collector cars, a hedge against hyperinflation. It’s important for me to always remember that the temporal novelty of things of this world often wear off quickly, but the kingdom of Christ is an eternal inheritance.

I enjoyed taking a friend to an auto broker, to place his high end Mercedes AMG on consignment. While looking at all the sports cars in the owner’s climate-controlled warehouse, I was drawn to a classic black Ferrari 328, at what seemed like a very reasonable price. I remained in a quandary about where I could park this car, since we have one car for the garage, with the other half of the garage taken up by a handicapped ramp. So I asked the broker what he would suggest. “A lift,” he responded. Of course, why didn’t I think of that. Simply installing a several thousand dollar mechanical/hydraulic car lift in my garage would solve everything, creating an elevated space for a long sought after car! I was so excited that now I could justify buying a car I had always admired. Just as my friend and I were leaving the car broker’s office, and as I was about to go out the door, I looked back toward Allie, with whom I just spoke. I knew I needed to be faithful to God in proclaiming His Son to the lost. I quickly turned around, went back and gave Allie a gospel handout as tactfully and gracefully as possible—she was not happy. But her unhappiness is nothing compared to what it will be if she does not receive Christ as her Savior one day. I pray for Allie. Had I not gone back, Allie may not have received God’s Holy Word, even though she didn’t like it at that moment. God may lovingly convict her, if her life is going down a dead-end road like I was decades before. I don’t know if her objection was a surface intellectual one, or deeper emotionally, volitionally in her heart. [Paraphrased Credit: Pastor and Evangelist Greg Laurie]

Now, back to my Ferrari trouble. I began to process the issues involved, including storage, mileage on the car, warranty, emission test, especially since I spoke with a frustrated man at a gas station who had just purchased a beautiful red Ferrari 328 but could not get it to pass emissions testing. What a nasty development that must have been. The auto broker’s 328 I was looking at was priced about $50,000 under listings in the Dupont Registry magazine, for a similar model, which led me to wonder what hidden flaws existed in the car I was looking to buy. The bottom line in this story was that I got seriously backed up spiritually due to my double trouble of pursuing cars that I’m sure were not pleasing to God. It reminds me of my wife Barbie’s friend from Boston who loved classical music and had a huge collection. But it became an idol, and God said, “Get rid of it all.” Rationally I can conclude that I can’t justify a specialty car, but then something happens when I am visually exposed to them. I become irrational and impulsive. Yes, this was a spiritual red alert, a wake-up call. When I wake up with morning maladies, it is nothing compared to my chronic, besetting sin that plagues me everyday; when the brain track I’m on gets sidetracked. I need to, “seek ye first the kingdom of God…” My being distracted by specialty cars is a stark contrast from God’s true priorities for my life. The temporal pleasures of desiring a sports car or street rod entangle me from my true focus on God, and I never seem to quite get done with the distractions. “Not my will, but Thy will shall be done.” (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, John 6:38)

This led to me getting backed up on spiritual calls and writing, encouraging people, praying, reading God’s Word, serving, and reaching out to the lost. At the grocery store checkout, Josh looked at the gospel handout suspiciously, but then kindly received it, for which I thanked him. After making a call to the telephone company, I tried to wait patiently for them to answer my request to have annoying and frustrating static on the line corrected. Sasha finally answered and was very helpful. “Is there anything else I can help you with today?” she asked. “I have really good news for you, Sasha. Jesus loves you greatly.” “Thank you. I actually do like that. I’m no longer going to Church,” she shared. I told her I would pray for her, for which she appreciated and for which I’ve been doing. Thomas, the telephone technician, a follower of Jesus, told me that he believes women trust God more than men do. Neither one of us knows the reason why, but that often seems to be the case. As I proclaim the gospel—at least it often seems like women are more receptive to the gospel than men. Another woman said, “I’ll take every blessing I can get.” Then Noel was happy to receive good news. And when I simply said, “God bless you,” to Jim, he responded, “Thank you, thank you.” I finally got up enough courage to give my pharmacist, Yen, a gospel handout and thanked him for receiving it. “No problem,” he responded, with a smile. And a new pharmaceutical technician named Nikki was delighted with the gospel. She just kept looking at the red heart/cross graphic and God’s Words—and continued smiling. I don’t know why. An unusual and somewhat humorous gospel moment recently occurred when I had a medical procedure requiring anesthetic. The nurse, Amber, wore a small pendant symbolizing an orthopedic certification—a shiny metal humorous bone! She applied a tourniquet on my upper arm prior to placing ports under the skin. When I came out of anesthesia, it was discovered that she forgot to take the tourniquet off, so I had a deep dark purple ring around my arm where blood circulation was cut off. This afforded me an opportunity to further connect with her, give her God’s Holy Word and tell her that Jesus loves her greatly. And when Nathan delivered groceries to the front door, he told me his Dad was a pastor, but Nathan has not been to Church for two years. God gave us a wonderful connection and he was thankful to receive a copy of Jesus Joy—small glimpses of our Joyful Jesus.r

The world needs Christians to point spiritually lost people to the Lord, who can lovingly reconcile, redeem and restore them —proclaiming the Gospel is not just a cause, it is a rescue mission. Evangelism not an option [Credit: Pastor Phil B.] Evangelism is a mandate. [Credit: Missionary Becky A.] Becky asked for a large quantity of the heart/cross gospel handout, because she was convicted that in her helps/food ministry in Ghana, she needed to include the gospel message. (both/and, physical food/spiritual food) Proclaiming the gospel is an imperative command of Christ, to leave the sheepfold of ninety-nine and go after the one that is lost. Everything we do and say   can become a mission trip in God’s economy—He gave us the indescribable blessing and honor of leading the lost up the highway of Holiness, instead of passive, silent acquiescence as they go down a dead road. When a major university has an atheist chief chaplain, we know we are in for spiritual sea-state chaotic change, a fireswirl, if you will.

Often it is so exciting when I tell someone that Jesus loves them greatly. It’s like they have either never heard that before, or it is just pure joy when they are reminded. One lady had a hard time expressing how wonderful it sounded to her when I told her Jesus loved her greatly. But Ellen laughed cynically when I offered her good news. And when I had to get another Covid-19 test, I told God it would be a great blessing if the woman who several months prior twice before administered my Covid tests, Samantha could be the one to give it at the drive through test facility, at which time she received a gospel handout. As I pulled up for the test, I asked her name and she said, “Samantha,” and she remembered the red heart/cross graphic with Bible scripture. “I have a gift for you, Samantha,” I said. She was very thankful to receive a copy of Jesus Joy, and I praised God for blessing us both, against the highly improbable odds of three tests and three times being assigned to her—a great opportunity to deepen my prayer for her, to continue encouraging her, pointing her to Jesus and God’s purpose in her life. I need to listen to what God is trying to tell me, and watch for what He is showing me. In the grocery store I asked a customer, Wendy, standing near me a question about yoghurt options for my wife. I asked her how I could pray for her—then I was shocked at her response. “I’m in a period of religious reconing,” she said. It turns out that she is suffering from an auto-immune disease, but has a sister and grandmother praying for her. I have been praying for her as well, since prayer is one of our greatest weapons against the devil.

Because the consequences of sin have a cost, a sin debt—that penalty must be paid, which Jesus did on the cross, reminiscent of the words, “…only you could know the pain.” [Credit: Vince Gill, Go Rest High on That Mountain]  When I cry over prayer requests for myself or others, from the pain in our fallen world of sin, I often say to Jesus, “Only You.” Unsaved people need Jesus, because they have no foundation in life. Living life without Jesus is unbalanced and unstable, just subsisting spiritually. It would be like trying to stand up in a canoe. Remember how Simon Peter responded when Jesus asked His disciples if they were going to leave. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) The spiritually lost need to know their ultimate destination. People choose either eternal punishment or eternal life. (Matthew 25:46, Daniel 12:2, John 5:29, Acts 24:15) There’s a coming double resurrection for the righteous and the wicked—unbelievers to a second death, and believers to glory because we have living hope in God’s Living Word, Jesus Christ. When we as believers allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of what is right in His eyes, His vision, He helps us progressively dismiss our own spiritually myopic eyes and sinful schemes. If we are ready, listening, and obedient, God can use us to help unbelievers come to a graceful understanding that instead of living for self, they can die to self and become alive in Christ. “Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19)

Jesus Joy Blessings,
Dawid Melek