A rare 1908 Auburn touring car had rested peacefully in an old barn for decades, remaining untouched, until one day, a tornado ripped away the barn’s roof, leaving the car buried under a pile of rubble. The pieces of the Auburn miraculously survived, but now the car needed to be restored.

The value of this Auburn would be at its greatest when it was restored to its authentic condition. Consequently, the Auburn’s owner surrendered his basket case of a car to the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum, saying, “I can’t restore it. You can. When you do, keep it and use it as a sign for all to see the authentic design of its designer.”

For years, the 1908 Auburn sat untouched until a group of volunteers showed up on a mission to restore this work of art to its original authentic state. The first step of the restoring community was to disassemble the vehicle and restore the parts, piece-by-piece. After months of hard work, they reassembled the work of art, and the process was finished. Paint was shiny. Brass was buffed. Leather was stitched perfectly. Tires were new old stock. When the engine fired, the room filled with applause. It was a beautiful sight.

Just like that 1908 Auburn, we need to be restored to authenticity. It begins when we surrender our old basket case of a life to the Restorer who disassembles us, giving us the opportunity to surrender our sins, piece-by-piece, often through a restoring community. Finally, He reassembles us, and we surrender the new: new tragedies and new triumphs where we give all credit to our Designer and Restorer.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His rest is restoration. Surrender to Him and say, “I can’t. You can.” He will make you new again.

Episode 114: The Battle with Ed Placencia from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.

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