Ancient Contracts, Broken Cars, and a Promise That Holds
A Story of Trust, Mistakes, and the Faithfulness of God
Advent is a season of waiting, promise, and trust.
It draws us back to ancient stories where hope was spoken into uncertainty and faith was asked for before answers arrived.
Today’s reflection begins with a broken-down car and ends under a starlit sky, exploring what it really means to trust a promise when nothing yet seems to work.
In the early ’90s, I purchased my first second-hand car. I knew nothing about cars and had no help, but what I did have was the bravado of youth. I thought I could look like someone who knew a lot about cars and strike a good deal.
When my ideal car came up, I called the owner and told him I was coming round. When I arrived at his house, two things struck me. First, the man selling the car was built like he was an international weight lifter. Secondly, the car was dilapidated. I think it used to be red, but it was hard to tell with all the filler and marks on the bodywork.
The large man watched as I walked around the car, kicked the tyres, and looked under the hood at the engine bay, nodding as I did in a ‘I know what I am doing’ kind of way. Even at this point, I was not fazed. I nodded at the sight of the engine and rubbed the wings knowingly. A little rust wouldn’t hurt, and besides, the guy looked grumpy, so I paid him the asking price and drove the car away.
I was enjoying cruising down the main road to my house, the cool air whistling through the panel gaps as I basked in my own independence. Yes, there were a few noises, but I had purchased a car on my own for the very first time.
Then the car broke down.