I don’t know much about the Amish people, even after my last stay in their
area of Indiana and Illinois. I do know they are private people, keeping to
themselves, who live a simple, country, farm type living. They are community
minded, they can raise a barn in a day with their neighbors help, they only
drive in carriages pulled by horses, they don’t use buttons, only pins to keep
shirts and pants connected, and only after marriage can the men grow beards.
They make great food, real American comfort food, the women dress
conservatively, and they tend to be very friendly. They live an existence
quietly removed from the world, not sure about their religion, or if being Amish
is being religious, but they live under many laws, customs we would call them,
and over the years I have seen their customs slowly changing and becoming more
worldly, you make the call, or better yet, let them if it is right or
wrong.
Staying at Das Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana, it is a beautiful resort
in the rolling countryside. Downtown Middlebury reflects the current Amish,
carriages parked outside stores, using the shoulder of the road, and being found
working in various retail stores. A far cry from just down the road in
Shipshewanna, where it looks like an Amish Disneyland, Middlebury and other
small towns around reflect much better today’s Amish. At least from my
observations...
But within Das Essenhaus are many stores, where both Amish people and non
work. In one Amish furniture store, we talked with Ernie, and how he wants to
travel to California, but will have to do so by train. I began to see the holes
in his Amish-ness, as he also rides a bike to work, as many do, and not just in
carriages as the older generation does. It seemed to me that his legalistic
lifestyle has many holes in it, as any legalistic system does, and he can pick
and choose what he wants to do and how to live. Which may or may not make him a
target among other Amish folk. Why a bike and not a motorcycle, why a train and
not a plane? Why not your carriages, or is the belief system only local?
Questions I wanted to ask, but passed on. I didn’t want to appear judgmental,
but still am curious.
Maybe what I found most entertaining was a group of high school age Amish
girls, who were looking over our bike, and us, then smiled, trying to get our
attention. Seems kids of all cultures like motorcycles, how many horsepower
versus your one? But one last encounter, a buggy ride around the grounds with
Ora taking the reins, opened up more questions. I asked “how are winters
here?” His answer took me aback for a second, “I don’t know, we go to Florida
for the winter.” By train I imagine. Seems the old ways are giving way to the
new ones, again the problem with living within certain laws only gives you a
greater chance to break them. The Amish are coming into the 20th century
slowly, and I welcome them, and respect them. I just hope they don’t lose their
identity in the process.
Now I didn’t stop and fact check the Amish ways or ways to live,
just based on what I saw and was told. But I will, because I am interested in
them, and my friend Ernie. But fact checking is nothing new, just to the press
corps of today. When Paul and Silas travelled spreading the gospel, the Jews
in Berea were counted as being noble, they checked out the facts before
believing their words. An open mind, but a cautious heart, backed up by
scripture. I encounter too many believers who just believe what is said from
the pulpit, or what the pastor’s book says. Following a TV evangelist and never
reading a Bible or testing the spirits via scripture as we are advised to do.
Luke writes here in Acts it is a noble thing to check for accuracy, using
scripture as the only barometer, not book sales, not attendance, or even
popularity. In all cases other than spirit led, you can fall victim to writing
your own gospel, your own belief system like Ernie and Ora, choosing which to
follow and what not to. Sound like church? And you wonder why Jesus was
against the Pharisees teachings and they hated him. How noble are your beliefs?
Are they spirit based, church based, denominational based, or based on a set of
rules and ways set forth by your fellowship? Do you pick and choose which ones
you like? Are you willing to risk becoming a rebel for Jesus by checking and
then following him? Never take me at my words, check them out and let me know
if I am off, I don’t want to be. Forgive me if I am, give God the glory if I am
right. Follow his words, not mine.
The Amish way of life is changing, the word of God never does.
Do not believe the book of Mormon, the JW version for they are not accurate, and
deny the deity of Jesus Christ. Which is what it all comes down, who do you say
Jesus is? The scriptures proclaim boldly he is both God and man, both Lord and
savior. The only way to heaven, the only way to be forgiven, and salvation is a
free gift. You cannot earn it or buy it at a Christian book store. Scripture
tells us “these things shall follow them that believe.” What are you leaving
behind? Is it all about Jesus or all about something else and Jesus? Or you?
Pray for Ernie and Ora, and the other Amish. Include anyone stuck in legalism,
for where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. We all write our own
gospels to a point, where is Jesus in yours?
I find it interesting that if you take money out of the Amish
equation, it all reverts back to their simplicity. Maybe there is a lesson to
be learned from them after all. As for me I’ll stick with my horsepower. And
the one who knows how to get it to the ground. With only one law, love. Bet
you didn’t know you were nobility did you? Love, what a noble thing to
do.
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot.com