New Movement
Cadillac released its XLR-V as the total sum of everything it had learned up until that point. After nearly a century in the business, Cadillac had learned a thing or two about innovation and car-building, but this was its first two-seater. Of course, General Motors had a two-seater – some fiberglass special named after a boat, perhaps you’ve heard of it – and the XLR got some of the Corvette’s best attributes, including a rear transaxle layout and composite body panels.
Cadillac was under a bit of pressure though. It had learned some hard lessons after its half-baked attempt at a sports sedan, the Catera, and increased competition from German rivals. Plus, General Motors had just allocated a stunning $4 billion into Cadillac’s Art and Science makeover. Its 1999 Evoq concept car embodied that new design language and drew fans like a Cadillac concept from the 1950s, so Cadillac took note and styled the XLR accordingly. But at its heart was the newest version of the Northstar V8, Cadillac’s contemporary classic.
The XLR largely succeeded. Old Cadillac showed that it could learn some new tricks, especially while the heat was on.
Jesus once told a story about someone learning new tricks while the heat was on. It’s the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Jesus offered a rare glimpse of the experience of hell and eternal regret, while offering a character study (of the rich man) that can teach anyone something new:
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus… The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire… send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” (Luke 16:19-28)
So, what did the rich man learn? He did at least two things that seem pretty new for him: First, he expressed need. He admitted that he can’t personally provide everything he needs in life – or death (this is the first step toward a repentant heart, by the way). Second, he showed compassion. He didn’t care about poor, disabled Lazarus sitting at the step outside his house every day, but suddenly he cared enough about his brothers to urge Abraham – twice – to warn them.
But he didn’t have a complete change of heart. He thought Lazarus could be sent here and there at whim, like his personal courier, and he seemed to argue with Abraham. He called him “Father Abraham” twice, perhaps calling up his own birthright, some blessing he thinks he was owed. Self-reliance was still his North Star, if you will.
The rich man’s heart was moved but not changed.
Everyone can relate, especially after hearing a story about the fiery agonies of hell and feeling that instantaneous gut-check: What do I have to do to avoid all of that? Yes, this story has moved hearts for two thousand years. People become terrified of the prospect of hell, and vow to make at least a few small changes in their life. But Jesus is after the total, complete, life-altering change of heart. He wants you to offer yourself to him and accept the changes he makes in you. He’s ready to teach you something new.
Learn to make reliance on God your goal. Practice the daily accomplishment of waiting for God, not you, to be the one who accomplishes things in your life. Think of the rich man’s lifetime of self-reliance, and how he regretted all of it as soon as he saw where it left him.
Everyone can learn the practice of daily surrender as if it were a business objective, sports accomplishment, or life goal. For motivation, here’s a quote from Richard C. Halverson, former Chaplain of the United States Senate: “Want to be a winner? Compete against yourself, not somebody else. Beating your partner at golf doesn’t necessarily mean you shot your best game. Outrunning your rival doesn’t mean you ran your best race. You can win over another and still not fulfill your potential.”
The XLR-V was produced in 2004 and 2005. It had one engine (the 320-horsepower 4.6-liter DOHC Northstar V8), one transmission (a 5-speed automatic), and one body style (a convertible with a power-folding hardtop). Cadillac listed it for an even $100,000 because while Cadillac was learning new things, it also showed an old skill: making money.
