"Can I Honk the Horn?"

I’m still processing an experience at the recent St. Louis Auto Show. I have been attending this annual event for years now. We (including sons, grandsons, and granddaughters too!) always combined this with a visit to a nearby eatery. These days we have been gathering around the long table at our beloved Snarf’s sandwich shop located downtown on Washington Avenue! Snarf’s fresh bread and handcrafted sandwiches never fail to satisfy our pre-show appetites!

This would be my ride if I was buying!
But, maybe not red! 😉

The show this year, however, was less than satisfying! It was lackluster and disappointing. There seemed to be fewer cars than the four hundred advertised. We were able to navigate the usual brands on display in about an hour. There wasn’t any special vibe concerning any vehicle. Some had exotic exterior colors like a powdered blue Bronco or a gaudy pink as seen on the C1 Corvette in the Barbie movie. These paint jobs seemed more appropriate for a retro kitchen appliance!

The EV’s were all the rage and buzz last year Last Year's Buzz. However, the recent subzero temperatures brought to light that many owners of these next generation all-electric vehicles were stranded out in the cold this mid-January. They sadly discovered that the EV battery efficiency drops dramatically in extremely cold temperatures. The daily news programs reported long lines at two-hour charging stations. It has many rethinking their options that maybe the Hybrid gas and electric vehicle wasn’t such a bad idea after all!

There was one bright moment in the show for me though. It occurred when I heard a small child’s voice and turned toward a shiny red sports car. The door was open, and I noticed a beautiful little four-year-old car enthusiast. She was sitting behind the wheel, nearly swallowed up by the bucket seat! Her pawpaw and dad were standing close by with joyful expressions of pride! This charming little darling blurted out her innocent question, “Can I honk the horn?” Her precious inquiry had me chuckling and remembering years ago when our little blond grand, Chloe, (now a sweet sixteen!) used to attend the show at that tender age with her Poppi and daddy!

If you go to a sporting event today, you will look out into the stadium or arena and see a wrap-around ribbon board that displays live game information like statistics, scores, and announcements. Ribbon boards have become an effective way to use technology in prompting the fans to “Make some noise!” and cheer loudly for the home team! It’s an ingenious rally device! That’s what was missing during this year’s auto show! It needed a rally and some crowd excitement!

During His three-year mission, Jesus often had to throttle back his family and disciples when they wanted to “honk the horn” about His true identity. He knew that if he declared Himself too early the opposition would become a great distraction to His mission. This restraint required Him to tell His closest followers, “This isn’t my time! Don’t push me!” (John 2:4; 7:6, MSG).

The King and His Kingdom would become clear during Jesus’ final days before the cross. All eyes were on Jesus as He sat upon the foal of a donkey and triumphantly entered Jerusalem. The devoted crowd placed palm branches on the pathway before Him  and “made some noise!” Messianic hopes were raised as “They shouted, Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in God’s name! Yes! The King of Israel!” (John 12:13-14).

This tumultuous time in which we live is the right time to “honk the horn” and “make some noise” about salvation through Jesus! Many are feeling hopeless, without purpose, searching for real connection, and in need of peace with God and others. The good news about Jesus is that He cares about our concerns, He loves the world, and He came to do something about the human condition.

We don’t need to ask, “Can I honk the horn?” We already have a commission to share the story of true life change everywhere we go! “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NLT).

Let’s “make some noise” this week in our conversations and share what Jesus has done for us with family, friends, and others we encounter!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,

active churchman and

doting grandparent.

Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com