Thursday, February 22, 2018

reviewing the road of life

















We love being on the road, and unlike years ago when you took your chances and made a reservation, today we have on line reviews and Tripadvisor.  Which can be a great tool in the right hands of a traveler, and which I am a reviewer on.  With over 400 reviews, from coast to coast, I use it enough to see through the complaints and the compliments, and see what reality is.  You may have had the best meal of your life, but if you have to wait for the check, some will condemn the whole meal because of it.  A five star rating at an Econolodge is not necessarily better than a three star at a Hampton Inn.  I only read the recent reviews, as changes in personnel, managers, and renovation are common.  So you learn to read many reviews, not just the title of the review, to get at the problem.  Or praise.  I haven’t been burned yet, but I have come close.  We al have our own personal rating systems....
I was reminded today of the simple mindedness of some, getting a question via TA about a place I stayed years ago.  “Do they accept pets?”  Why ask me, call the motel or go online to their site.  I think you get the point, there is a picture of my motorcycle, what makes you think I carry pets with me, and why wait for an answer you may not receive, when you are on a computer anyway and can access the motel?  Duh?  I tend to be honest in my reviews, describing highs and lows, and mentioning if it is biker friendly.  It can be a plus or a minus, some of us like to sleep, while others party on.  Too many subjective and not enough objective reviews. You either trust the review or your own judgment, the internet is its own animal.  Any questions, refer to Facebook people, or in my case, DON’T!  What you are looking for is facts, not just opinions.  But probably the most despicable and dishonest are those that pay for self created reviews.  I read an ad lately for a web page, which for $99 they would include up to 25 favorable reviews for your business, fabricated, even though they had never used it or seen it.  So beware, and don’t let opinions become a burden to you.  They are like Hondas used to be, everyone has one, and used ones aren’t worth the trade in value many times.  Seek the truth, it will still set you free.  And I have accumulated some free rooms over time.  Some worth every penny, some not.
If you were reviewing Christianity, what would your review emphasize?  Would it be true, a testimony, maybe only what you have learned, but not experienced, or would you make Jesus out to be a genie in a lamp, granting your every wish?  I have encountered all the above, and even more, but like travel reviews, it is best to go to the man himself, and read what he has to say.  Jesus is quoted many times, too many out of context, but how often do we offer him as a suffering servant, and that if you believe you will suffer too?  There is bad religion, fortunately there is no bad Jesus.  Only good advice, not based on reviews, but because he has been there and done that.  So do you trust the internet or Jesus?  Your lifestyle may not reflect your answer, be careful how you answer.  Other’s decisions may depend on it.
A review of the Last Supper may read different than the events in Jesus’ life after.  Do this in remembrance of me, and how the memories were about to change.  We are told his soul was exceedingly sad unto death, his loneliness, his disappointment with his disciples, his bloody sweat, the betrayer’s kiss, the binding, the blow to the face, the spitting, the scourging, the buffeting, the mocking, the crown of thorns, the smiting, and the heavy weight of the cross he had to bear.  He was exhausted, stripped of his garments, impaled after beating, his foes jeering, and his friends deserting him.  The final darkness, crying out to his Father, “where art thou?” and finally “it is finished.”  Who else other than Jesus can relate to your situation?  Who else other than Jesus knows your pain?  What other review do you need other than his?  Funny how God never asks you for your opinion, but confronts you with the truth.  Where do you go for advice?  Rather, who?
Jesus was tempted in all things, yet never sinned.  Yet we tend to seek advice that works best for us, bypassing any pain.  We want the cheapest, easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to live, a four star life at a one star price.  If you were to give a review of Jesus in your life, how many stars would it be?  And how many would you give him?  He has seen our infirmities, bore our sin, and paid the price.  Do your choices reflect that?  Does your life reflect him? 
What you look for in life will reflect what you get.  I want all I can get from Jesus, I don’t want to miss any blessing, and God doesn’t want me to.  Do you believe that?  Maybe it is time to get familiar with the person of Jesus, rather than just his teachings.  Just a Sunday service or two.  Maybe you fellow travelers need to consider this.  Sojourners we are called.  Where was Jesus born?  How did he enter Jerusalem?  Where did Saul get converted?  Where did he eunuch meet Philip?  Where did the two men meet a stranger and their hearts burned within?  Where did God walk with Adam and Eve?  If you said the road, you are right on all.  Life is a journey, take Jesus along.  Better yet, go with him.  Life on the road, that’s where you will find Jesus.  I hope you find him there too.  For the rest of you, there’s the internet.  Can you right click and find salvation in it?  Just one man’s opinion, glad mine is based on the truth of who Jesus is.  How do you rate Jesus?  How would he rate you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com