Why is it when you cannot find something it is always in the last place you
look? And if you looked there initially, think of all the aggravation you would
have avoided. But really the reason it is found in the last place you look is
because you quit looking. The quest is over, you bagged your limit, and now you
go on to other important chores of the day. Like, where should I ride today? I
took some time yesterday to look at new cars-sticker shock magnified. For the
price of my first house I could buy any number of cars, extend my payments out
72-84 months, 6-7 years, and keep my payments under $800/month. The salesman
had no problem showing me lesser priced cars, in the $30,000 range, which still
exceeded my pocketbook, by about $30,000. But I found it interesting what you
could buy in the $20-25,000 range. Closer to my budget of none. A Volkswagen
Beetle stickered at $26,000. But so did a Mustang with a turbo. So did a Mazda
Miata-stripped. Various 4 door sedans that are best suited for rental service.
So in that price range you could be trendy, a Beetle, cool-a Mustang, or drive a
rental car with your name on the title-after it’s paid off. So much to choose
from, so I took the free brochures, and filed them away, Mustang on top, my
first choice. I stopped looking at cars because I found one I liked, even if I
am not a buyer-yet. Why didn’t I just go there first and avoid all the
lecherous sales force? Strangely I ended up looking at Mustangs last. Do I see
a trend here?
But unlike my keys, or glasses routinely found on top of my head, they were
not lost, just misplaced. And from VW’s made in Mexico, Nissans and Toyotas
made in Tennessee, and Mercedes Benz made in Alabama, let’s not forget BMW’s
made in South Carolina, it may have looked like I was lost, but was only
misplaced about their country of origin vs. their country of manufacture. Only
the Mustang was an American car made in America, Michigan, which I hear is still
a leisure activity of the Democratic party. The whole state is either union or
on welfare. So although not lost, just looking, I found out a lot that
afternoon-I’ll keep my motorcycles. My thoughts were only momentarily
misplaced, not lost.
It is said and rightfully so that God has placed a God shaped hole in our
souls that only he can fill. And those who haven’t found him yet, note-he isn’t
lost, we are, are still looking. Misplaced emotions and ideas about God,
confusing him with religion. Most I talk with are looking for a good church,
one they can fit into, that they are not threatened at, and can feel
comfortable. Really they are looking for God, and he is only found in Jesus.
Some go the cult route, or fall into cultic religions, and are barred from
seeking. They find they are not fulfilled, but the religion will not let them
free. And I know families where it has become generational, passing on the
captivity from parents to children. But I have a freedom in Christ found no
where else. It is my freedom to choose. Religion, no matter the denomination,
has a set of rules for you to follow. Jesus loves, tells us to love, shows us
how by example, and sets us free to make our own decisions. Guided by the holy
spirit, so we don’t wander off into some cult. When we come to Christ we stop
looking because we have found it all. Love, joy, peace, and forgiveness. All
in one man, who leaves the choice up to us. True love, because true love
demands a decision, for God not a church or institution. And saying nothing to
Jesus is the same as saying no. Yet until our dying day, the spirit calls us.
We are lost, not misplaced, God knows just who we are, and where we are, and is
seeking us because he loves us. Religion can replace, but not fulfill the need
for God, it can misplace our loyalties, and separate from the one who loves us.
But we still seek, and if you find yourself seeking God today, why not give it
up to Jesus. Make him your final destination, and insure your final
destination-heaven. Not based on performance, not based on who we are, but
based on who he is, and what he has done-died in our place. The final one we
turn to should be the first one-if not, make him the last one. The only one,
the begotten one. Look no further. The ads may promise many things, like the
new cars do, but only one will fill the need. The desire, and the hope. Only
Jesus. Church can’t do it, a new car can’t do it, sadly even a motorcycle can’t
do it-lots of joy, just no salvation. It takes knowing Jesus. A new car may
be exciting to show all your friends, but after the first payment, first
scratch, and all have seen it, the new wears off and is gone. Only in Jesus
does the new not wear off, in fact it drives a desire in us to get to know him
better. To be more like him. All driven by his spirit instead of ours. So why
drive an old God when you can have a fresh and exciting one? Who loved you when
you are lost and misplaced?
For those of us who have stopped looking it is because we have found, and
been found. Nothing else will do. Only Jesus fulfills. Don’t let your life be
misplaced by false gods of deception. Come to Jesus and stop looking, and start
living. Like my afternoon car exercise, I was only looking. But when I saw the
Mustang, I stopped. And started to make excuses to get one. Fortunately one
look back at what I was riding brought me back to reality. Jesus is looking for
you and won’t quit until you come to him. Make him your last stop today, and
look no further. I did and haven’t looked for 40 years. It was fun looking at
cars yesterday, only to find I already have everything I want. Oh, and it works
when looking for cars too.
Did I tell you the Mustang was Race Red? Now if I can only find where I
left the brochure. Misplaced of course, not lost.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com