Monday, April 24, 2017

next gas 80 miles










HEADLINE-4/24/1908  Jacob Murdock and his family embark on a trip to cross the United States in a car. Their trip from LA to New York City in a 1908 Packard "Thirty" touring car will take 32 days.
I can still remember my first trip across the US of A, and how big it was to this Jersey boy.  How the farther west I rode, the farther the distance between the cities, and how it became a game of survival at times making sure I had enough gas to get to the next station.  Which all came back tome this last week when riding in new areas of Arizona.  Suddenly I was that 21 year old kid again, with excitement ahead on new roads, and having to plan my gas stops.  Which cannot always be trusted by the freeway signs, as many exits claiming services only lead to ghost like stations where they once stood.  Which only become more important gas stops when off the interstates, and signs warning “nest gas 80 miles.”  I found myself filling up even if I only needed a gallon or two, because I was never sure if a town mentioned was even a town, or just an intersection, or even had gas.  For instance, if I had planned to gas up in Mule Creek, New Mexico, I would have found only a post office, a shed on a dirt parking lot under some trees, but with the ADA approved handicap parking area.   But no gas.  In Buckhorn, a friendly greeting, but no gas.  Same in Rodeo, a café, but no gas.  Providing extra excitement not found by those who travel only the freeways.  But the ride made it all worth it...
Before I-10 went through Arizona and New Mexico, US 80 was the route of choice.  There was no other.  Making a detour off the freeway to Douglas, it was 80 miles of beautiful country, very limited traffic, and no gas.  Stopping in Rodeo for a soda, was the only people we saw until Douglas, if you don’t count the Sheriff off the side of the road who waved hello as we passed at 85 mph.  A friendly wave, he must not see many people out his way.  But soon after, still miles from the safety of the interstate, when gas was only 40 miles apart, somehow we felt safer.  The world suddenly shrinking.  And after reading the news of this date about Jacob Murdock and his family, my mind wonders just what they thought, what he was thinking, and what dangers lay ahead for him.  No freeways, really no roads, the US highway system was still 18 years away, how did he figure his trip?  What did he use to guide him?  How man times did his family say “turn back?”  How many times did he think the same thing?  What possessed him to make the trip in the first place?  How did he get 32 days off of work?  And that was only one way!
There are so many people mentioned in the Bible what many emulate.  They even name their kids Bible names, hoping to appear stylish, or that their kids will be Godlike.  Maybe hoping it is a blessing upon them, but never realizing that to be a hero, you must do something heroic.  Or become a great sinner.  Not too many Judas’ found in churches today.  But how about Noah and Abraham?  Two famous men, but men who took great chances when trusting God.  Who both set out on trips they had never planned for, but took anyway, knowing only that God’s grace was with them.  No study guides, no road maps, no signs to warn of what was ahead.  They both went by faith, not knowing the where, the why, maybe the how, the when-now, and only the who to keep them going faithfully. 
How many times did Abraham wonder when his next rest stop would be?  He too was traveling across desert, uncharted territory with no map.  What if the next station was closed?  What if they had no gas?  What if?  I wonder how many times he asked “what if?” only to be assured by God to trust him, and not himself.  Maybe giving a new insight to Proverbs 3:5, and not leaning on your own understanding.  How many times did Noah want to give up, his Grandfather Methuselah just passing, and unable to go to him for advice.  Maybe he questioned God, “I’m 600 years old, I’m too old to start another career.”  Abraham seems young at 80 compared to him.  But he kept on, and we can only imagine the private conversations between the two men in the spirit.  Conversations not mentioned in scripture, for words could not contain the full impact or how personal they were to each man.  Words to encourage, to direct, to offer rest and relief.  Words from a loving father to two men that he would trust with his dream.  And who would make history.  That without them, the Jewish race and all of mankind would have ended.  And you worry about what?
When God orders our steps, they are not orders in the “do this or suffer the consequences” always.  When he orders them, they take shape, they have a purpose, and your trip will be well established.  With some trips, like our last weeks ride just for enjoyment.  A blessing from him, where we could see his handiwork, be guided trusting him, and spend some time alone with Jesus.  No wonder God invented motorcycles, and the roads to ride them on.  And for six days, three states, and 1800 miles, we had a time with Jesus not found in church.  We got to experience some of Abraham and Noah, out on the road, where the action is.  I had studied the maps, read about the roads, but until I rode them, could have never imagined the beauty of them.  A relationship with Jesus is the same way, reading about him, studying about him, memorizing his word is not bad, but nothing like knowing him personally.  To know his voice like Abraham did, and to trust him to guide you even when the map says different. To find grace like Noah did in the midst of the world, they were on the same road, just going the wrong direction.  They had to trust God so many times when their low fuel light came on, but he never failed them.  Nor does he us, the importance of walking in the spirit.  We do not know what lies ahead, for Abraham it was a family and then a generation that turned into a race.  For Noah it was the first time it rained, the first flood, and finally a dove, the spirit telling him the waters had receded, and dry land was ahead.  All because they trusted God....
Are you looking ahead to the destination but not considering the trip?  The trip is where Jesus is revealed, on earth as it is in heaven.  We are all on a trip, trusting being the best option for those who know Jesus.  Who else but Jesus would know when we need gas?  What road to take and the dangers ahead?  What things interest us and bless us?  If that spirit of Abraham and Noah has long faded from you, rekindle it again today.  The sign may warn of no gas, but God knows better.  In every situation, every decision today, we will get the opportunity to trust God.  To let his spirit lead.  With a word of warning...to let and toilet, two words only difference being an I.  Do you let God, or do you end up in the toilet?  Both Noah and Abraham let God direct.  What map are you following?  Does God lead or you?  We get to read about both men after, I wonder how the conversations with them would have been before or during?  We live during, what is your conversation?  To let God, or go to the toilet?  Abraham obeyed even though he did not know where he was going.  On our last trip we thought we did, the Lord made it better.  Travel with him today, trust his judgments for you.  If you call him Lord, do you obey, or look for a detour?  Jacob Murdock in 1908 took his family along.  So did Noah.  God gave Abraham one along the way.  The same way we are to make disciples, along the way.  We are all on the road to somewhere.....what do you do when the next gas is only 80 miles away?  And you are on empty?  What would you do in Abraham’s place?  Maybe if we read it as “I have a new and exciting ride for you, with blessings untold, and a future you won’t believe or cannot imagine,” would you go then?  would you leave it all behind to follow?  Would you pick up your cross after laying down your life to follow Jesus?  Well would you? 
No word from Mrs. Murdock or the kids.....like life it must be lived.  The best rides are the ones ridden in trust.  There was a reason God calls it the Promised Land.  And still is.  I wonder, if Jacob Murdock after taking the trip still had the desire to travel more?  Probably, for like walking with God, one trip is never enough.  So many roads, so little time.  Only one Jesus. Who do you spend yours with? 
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com