Eternal God, Everywhere
Porsche’s first use of center-lock wheels for mass-produced cars was on the 997-generation 911 (you may have seen them on the iconic 2011 911 GT3 RS 4.0. You know, the one with color-contrasting livery and a roll cage. It’s not for the latte-sipping crowd). These days, center-lock wheels are an option on a variety of new Porsches, some of which have no business being on a track. Like the 2022 992 Targa 4S. This is fine.
They’re functional of course, in that their function is preparing car folks for the inevitability of center-lock wheels on new Cayennes and Macans someday. And Volkswagens a few years later, and then Toyotas… The democratization of this technology means you can start seeing them everywhere: Friday nights at the cruise-in. Jiffy Lubes. Rental car lots. Churches. On Facebook Marketplace, used. Junkyards.
Like exotic race technology trickling down to the mainstream car market, God is simultaneously high and mighty and present with people in the low places. It was never God’s intention to be away from his chosen people, even though some separation was necessary to demonstrate how holy he is. A great interpretation of “holy” is “set apart.” God is set apart from common, everyday stuff. He isn’t an idol to sit on the mantle, or a good luck charm to carry into battle, or a genie to do someone’s bidding. He wasn’t common and utilitarian like a garden tool.
Yet even throughout that time where he seemed set apart, he was with his chosen people. Immediately after delivering them from Egypt, he led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of cloud by night. Amazingly, “neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” (Exodus 13:22) Later, God audibly called Samuel from within the sanctuary, “in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.” God was present among the people. (1 Samuel 3:3)
God’s presence with his people was important because of the love and attention he showed. He was in such close proximity to them during the times they needed him, and he went to work. When they grieved, he spoke to them. While they didn’t know what to do, he led them: “Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them.” (Psalm 99:6-8)
God answered them. Sometimes, he answered their disobedience with correction and discipline (a loving God couldn’t allow them to keep hurting themselves and each other). Other times, he answered their pain through prophecy of better things ahead.
In other times, he answered by reminding them of who he was. If a reminder of the eternal, omniscient and omnipresent attributes of the Creator God doesn’t change your perspective, nothing will. He’s God! Is anything you face too big for him? Your math assignment is challenging, but God created the natural order of things that allows math to function. Your limbs don’t work like they used to, but by the hand of God you were “fearfully and wonderfully made.” You can’t lift your head from the burden of your shame, but forgiveness from God himself has cleared your record.
God’s divine dwelling is fascinating, but his near proximity is comforting. Nothing his people face is distant from God because he isn’t distant from his people. He isn’t common, but he dwells with common people with an almighty power.
If center-lock technology catches on, you may find yourself one day staring at a flat tire on your electric Porsche minivan, center-lock wrench in hand. Despair and regret may creep in. How could this happen? Yet as you “losen” the giant nut, think of the racing technology in your hands. Porsche, race champion throughout decades of automotive racing history, designed and engineered your car. They certainly dealt with flat tires along the way. This is nothing unfamiliar to them. To them, fixing a little brokenness is common.
