A time to weep, and a time to laugh (Ecclesiastes 3:4, ESV).
I recently traded in my SUV for a pick-up truck.
The universal comment of those seeing me in a truck for the first time has been, “I’ve never thought of you as a truck person.”
This proves the verse of the Bible that says . . .
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be changed! (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, OGV)
I admit the previous verse is taken slightly out of context, but it’s hard to prove Biblically that trucks are better than SUV’s. But so many have expressed surprise when they see me in a pick-up truck that I think I need to defend myself!
To make an adequate defense, I’m now studying trucks and those who drive trucks.
I’ve noticed that I now make new friends easier. While on vacation recently, my wife sat in the truck as I walked into a 7-Eleven. A man coming out the front door said, “I like your truck.”
I learned Greek in seminary and not truck-talk, so acting like a veteran truck owner, I replied, “I like your truck too.” We then talked about truck bed size, payload, towing capacity, and the benefits of two doors rather than four doors.
When I got back in my truck, I said to my wife, “I made a new friend, and we were fellowshipping in truck talk.”
She rolled her eyes.
I’ve found in my research that you shouldn’t own a truck without listening to country music. A recent analysis noted that of the 16,000 country songs written from the 1950s, about five percent mention trucks.
Yep, that’s 800 country music songs about trucks.
Trucks are symbolic of a “rough and ready” lifestyle of the good, the bad, and things that should bring repentance. If a songwriter wants reality, a truck must be used. It doesn’t elicit the same emotions if you sing about driving a Prius down a country road or sitting next to your girl in a Lexus.
Though my wife rolls her eyes at some of my recent truck behavior, she has been complicit in encouraging my new image as a pastor with a truck. She made a summer playlist of songs for us to play while driving on vacation.
On the list, she included truck songs.
We listened to a song entitled “Get In The Truck,” which has a unique story (best to listen to this one yourself). Also, a song about waking up on the wrong side of the truck bed and a woman country singer who claimed her heart was like a truck.
I enjoyed the music.
Not my usual Elevation Worship Music today or Jimi Hendrix from my past, but fitting for me as a new truck owner. I’m still learning appropriate truck behavior, attitudes, and music. If you own a truck, please email me your best practices.
I struggle now with how to park my truck in a public parking lot. I’ve noticed that trucks are backed into a parking space.
In my former life as an SUV owner, I’d drive straight in and feel confident in my manhood. Now, I’m backing into parking spots. I’m not sure why a truck must be backed into a parking spot, and I usually don’t succumb to peer pressure, but I want to learn the appropriate disciplines for my new confession of truck ownership.
I realize — a most unusual Interruption today. Let me know if you are interested in buying a truck. I can help you learn “truck talk.”