Conor Delaney sells limited-production Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT’s with gull-wing doors, Bentleys and other exotic cars that might cost more than your house. In fact, the average price of the cars he sold last year ran a more-than-modest $150,000. Sweet rides indeed. His select group of celebrity clients spent over $16,000,000 with Delaney’s Celebrity Auto Group.
What’s more fascinating is that the average number of cars bought per year runs from two to twelve. That’s right. Some people don’t buy the 2014 model; they buy the January 2014 model, the February 2014 model, the March 2014 model ... And then they keep on doing the same thing year after year. These aren’t stock cars off the lot either; many have custom modifications like entertainment centers.
So what’s not to like about that? Well, a lot actually. But before we get to the obvious reason that’s probably staring you in the face, consider this: Most of these clients are desperate for privacy. Delaney says, “When they text me every few months to give me a new phone number, they know it’s safe.” Those celebrities can’t even hang on to a private cell number for more than a couple of months before they need to change it to run from the hoard of their pursuers. As Delaney says, “Privacy is huge for athletes.”
That reminds me of my former neighbor. He worked for a heating and air conditioning company that specialized in the homes of celebrities in the Chicago area where I live. When we dropped by his apartment, he launched into a flow of stories about local sports celebrities he’d met. But the story that stuck in my head was about the renowned basketball star, Michael Jordan.
Approaching Michael’s 56,000-square-foot home, he was stopped at a large security gate with its obligatory security cameras. Once down the drive and into the mansion, he got his work done. Then Michael invited him to play a game of pool and take a tour of the small private movie theater and other luxury features. He mentioned how Michael had to have his movies delivered to the house to avoid being mobbed at the local theater. He wore dark glasses and snuck into private rooms at the back of restaurants to find some semblance of peace. Incidentally, as of this writing, Michael can’t seem to sell that house. It’s been on the market for over two years and had many price cuts and a failed auction. It seems no one needs a home with a giant indoor basketball court, a cigar room and other trimmings.
There’s nothing wrong with a home or a car. But they don’t bring satisfaction, peace or even joy by themselves. If they did, then the celebrities buying sweet rides wouldn’t need to grab a new one every month, year after year. One thing they crave, the peace to enjoy what they do have, is denied them. Satisfaction, in fact all that really matters, can only be found in a person — Jesus Christ. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3)). That love can be deep, intimate, lasting, personal and its uniqueness privately shared with the One who loves you more than you can conceive. Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour? If you don’t, read more of God’s way of salvation outlined in this booklet and in His Word and turn to Him now, not tomorrow.