Better than a Flying B

Another beautiful car which has made a come-back in recent years is Bentley. Founded in 1919, this car has become a symbol of ostentatious luxury, like its brother car-maker, Rolls. They are absolutely stunning vehicles, and still mostly made in England, though now owned by the German firm VW. So how much does one cost? I’ve been hard pressed to get hold of the price list. I’m guessing that if you’re poor enough to need to know how much one costs, you’re too poor to own one. I’ve seen a second hand one for sale at £153,490, though others are much less, depending on age and condition. Suffice to say, I’ll not be owning one any time soon. Yet it’s the iconic badge about which I wish to write. A flying B, with wings. The B needs little explanation, and the wings signify the speed and power with which the car is endowed. The number of feathers on each side of the B never match; my model has 15 on the one side and 14 on the other.

Scripture sometimes describes God’s people as being carried on eagles’ wings, the most famous passage being Isaiah 40:31:

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Less famously, but just as beautifully, speaks the Lord in Exodus 19:4:

‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.’

Although I hear fewer people quoting this in prayer and writing it in cards, it is in some ways the more significant. It doesn’t just refer to the grandeur and ease of the journey, but the splendour of the destination:

‘to Myself’.

Owners of Bentleys travel about in opulent comfort, enjoying both speed and power. From town house to country pad, from office to business partner, from new acquisition to growing commercial empire. The wings of the Christian cannot be seen, not are they admired and drooled upon, but they always out-class the Bentley, because they take us somewhere far superior:

‘having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better' (Phil 1:23).