Tuesday, November 15, 2016

George's other speed















My mother used to tell me slow and steady wins the race.  Which may perfectly describe one of my techs at Land Rover, George.  George was cool, rode a BMW everyday, always showed up for work, and was very thorough and methodical.  What he wasn’t was fast, as other techs would book 15-20 hours of time per day, George was in the 6-8 range, consistently.  Never to be confused with being aggressive, he always got his work done on time, George time.  And when questioned one day by an impatient customer, “can’t you work any faster?” politely replied “if you don’t like this speed, you really won’t like my other one.” Never have fewer words said so much about the man...
While doing time at the DMV yesterday, I had made an appointment and was in and out within 30 minutes.  The non-appointment line was backed out the door, and over 200 feet long when I arrived, longer when I left.  Why would you wait in line, when you can make an appointment and be done?  But as I looked at this huddled mass of Obamaphone users, it occurred to me they had nothing else to do.  Women with 4-5 kids hanging on them and crying, groups of men who should be at work, and it occurred to me this was their day.  And when surveying the DMV window count vs. clerk’s filling them, 29 windows and as many as 8 open, I realized I had found George’s other speed, it was the DMV!  And just like the gelded Prius owner going 45 in the fast lane, they too had nothing else to do or anywhere to be.  They were George’s other speed, and it doesn’t end there.  Ever need to visit the ER?  Waiting times are in the hours range, yet some hospitals are advertising waiting times on billboards.  Which makes me wonder how many emergencies, the E in ER are really emergencies?  Or are they the same ones waiting in line at the DMV, or waiting for a free Obamaphone, or other free handout?  If you are going nowhere, does it matter how long it takes to get there?  And I could see George in the non-appointment line, thinking I took off work all day, so if it takes all day that is all right.  And from a man who never would own or drive a Prius.  Every man has his limits.
We all know the story of how Jesus fed the 5000 with loaves and fishes.  But do we?  Have we ever considered the dynamics of what it was like that day?  The 5000 was men, women weren’t counted, as were children neglected, so maybe the crowd was closer to 15,000 or more.  A lot of mouths to feed, and a lot of food to distribute.  At 10 people per minute, it would take 150 hours, or over 6 days, no time is given in scripture.  But with 12 disciples, it could be reduced to less than 12 hours, not including clean up.  Which must have looked like Woodstock after the concert.  But think of this, the first fed were home and in bed asleep while the last ones were being fed.  Some had lunch, some dinner, some any early breakfast, but all got attended to, just like the DMV.  Some had lunch there, then had dinner at home before getting to bed.  Some may  have even had time to work the swing shift at the cannery.  Ever wonder how many man hours it took McDonald’s to feed its first billion?  Years of nothing but eating!
Now no beverages are mentioned, but imagine one bottle per person today, truckloads of bottled water, over 625 cases.  And the recycling mess afterwards.  Yet Bible teachers and students who know more than me brag about the 12 baskets picked up afterwards.  Like that was a lot.   A miracle.  My thought is “only 12?”  This must have been one hungry group, to leave only 12 baskets from feeding 15,000 people.  The trash alone would have filled more.  And with no running water, or toilets, maybe the miracle was even more miraculous.  But maybe there is a story within the story, one of hunger.  Of food and for the word.
Think of the fellowship after Jesus taught, they didn’t want to leave.  Yes town was miles away, but they stayed, wanting to be fed more from him.  So waiting to eat was no big deal, as they prayed, ministered, and loved on each other.  A church service unlike any other, imagine having a t-shirt saying you were there?  Maybe we need to ask ourselves, do we hunger after Jesus as much as we hunger after food?  Maybe these folks did, maybe they didn’t want to leave his presence, and the food was only because it was needed, not desired.  How long would you sit in church?  You get hungry again after eating, and need three meals per day.  And you expect your spiritual appetite to be full after an hour on Sunday?  Is your stomach bigger than your heart?  Or do you have a hunger and thirst for God that only he can fill?  Are you on a fast food diet of religion or are you in the spirit? Or are you just waiting like those in line because you have nothing better to do with your day, because life has no meaning?  Could you be that Prius in the fast lane and not know it?  Are you George’s other speed? 
Jesus told the woman at the well she would thirst again, he offered her a drink of the spirit so that she would never thirst for religion again.  The holy spirit is often referred to as living water in scripture, from being baptized in it to walking in it, Jesus walked on it, in the spirit.  Today you will have a hunger and thirst that physically must be fed.  Over and over again.  Do you desire the things of God as much?  It is possible those Jesus fed spiritually didn’t want to leave, the hunger was great, and fulfilling.  And they wanted more, to be filled to overflowing.  Just like he promised.  The food was just a physical reminder of spiritual miracles he performed that day.  Something to consider in our daily walk, or next trip to the DMV.  Which leaves one question unanswered, leave it up to your own imagination.  15,000 fed and no porta-potties in sight.  Good thing that wasn’t in California, Jesus never would have gotten the license to meet.  And like it says in John, no pun intended, no library could hold all the stories of him.  There are miracles within miracles everyday.  Only in the spirit will you see the smallest ones, a story to consider about George’s other speed.  For man does not live by bread alone, but from all the things that proceed from the mouth of God.  And no appointment needed, and no lines either.  And at the DMV that would truly be a miracle!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com