Remember Tommy James and the Shondells line from his song-"I think we're alone now, there doesn't seem to be anyone around..."? Does anyone know what a Shondell is? Or why wasn't he Thomas James, or Tommy Jimmy? Anyway, we have become a society that we are alone, when in a group, and don't realize it. And some sickos want it that way. Personal contact, well, it just doesn't exist anymore. It got too, personal. And we have no one to complain too! I am told that since I'm in my fifties, I am middle aged. So I can remember doorman, switchboards, and people sitting on porches, talking and waving to neighbors as they passed by. Going into your friends house to get something, the door not being locked. Telling his mom as you ran into his room, knowing just where the secret hiding place was, "Bill sent me to get his Cycle World," which he kept hidden under the bed, so his mom wouldn't see it. Respectable kids didn't read that kind of stuff. Hearing the annoying busy signal because his older sister was on the phone-talking with her boyfriend. They thought they were alone then. But someone has redone the math. If we live to be 80, an average, 40 is still in the middle. And I'm almost one score past. And I'm not sure how we got here, or how to get back. Why can't things just be crimson and clover again?
Through the miracle of progress, we can make phone calls and not talk to anyone, just leave messages back and forth. No conversation, just communication. Or even talk via misspelled words called text messaging. We don't have to go to the movies to watch one, we can watch one on TV, and watch TV on our computers. We can avoid all the fun of getting lost looking for a destination, and miss the fun of finding new places, after getting lost, without a map, by using a GPS. And only listening to a computer simulated female voice. No fun trying to look at a map, or even a screen, and avoiding having to master refolding a map to make it fit it your glove box, or center console. A center console that separates you from your date, or wife, who can sit isolated with her i-pod listening to her songs, setting her temperature, so you don't have to communicate. Are we there yet? Please tell me we're not. A generation of men who never have to learn to drive one handed, while adjusting the radio volume while putting your arm around your date, sitting close to you on your bench seat. Non power steering memories get extra points.
I have ridden with strangers, even stopped to get gas, and neither one of us has ever taken off his full face helmet. Not knowing what we look like, or his name-just the guy in the HD jacket. That narrows it down. And just a wave when one of us turns off at the end of the ride. Were we both really riding alone? We sure weren't together.
For almost 15 years I never went inside a bank except to sign papers. Now I do since I changed banks, and I like the personal contact. A face...with a name. A banking experience not spelled ATM. But maybe not for grocery shopping. Where you can order online, they deliver, and you miss the fun of a cart with the wiggly wheel, clipping coupons, and seeing all the stuff on sale-or chocolate things you just gotta have. A whole generation with no physical contact with another person, and we wonder why we aren't personable. Or what manners are. From computer screen to microwave without talking to anyone. Table for how many?
Many have fallen into this trap with religion too. I see them at church with their palm pilot or blackberry reading the Bible-or at least I hope they are. Sitting next to someone they don't know, or haven't known for the whole time they attended. Maybe a head nod, but never a greeting. Meeting someone at a men's breakfast who has gone there longer than you, just at another service, and meeting for the first time.
God's ways are different. He is a personal God, and you can have a conversation with Him. He not only listens, but speaks. Via His word, and by His spirit. No voice mails, or text messaging-you get a person, the person of Jesus Christ-the son of God. He knows your name, and cares about you. A personal relationship, not religion. Not a set of rules, or thou shalt nots, but freedom like none you can experience without Him. And you don't have to wait in line, or on hold, or wait for the computer to warm up. No new models, there is no improving His perfect love for us. He isn't on cable, He is on your heart, and open 24/7. And you never have to be alone, or lost, or wondering why. He is the answer to all your questions, and likes to answer them. In a conversation, with words, face to face, heart to heart. The truth, with no opinions or polls to influence your decisions. Just facts, in love, to guide you, for what you do is still your decision. A wonderful counselor, who knows you and wants to help, but waits to be asked. A gentlemen, via the Holy Spirit, just the opposite of what you encounter everyday. Has God ever thanked you for waiting? After putting you on hold? Or apologized for being with someone else? Sound like something you may be interested in? Just ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and He will. You will find He already has been, and still is. Give Him the chance.
Today I'm going to break all the rules. I'm going to wear my open face helmet to the market, grab a cart, then stand in line. Talk to the checker. Let someone take my groceries out to my bike, and thank them. Wave at other bikers, on my way to church. Maybe even tell them my name at a light. I'm going to get up early and go to the first service, and sit next to someone I don't know, and tell them my name-after asking theirs. I'm going to open my Bible, and hear the beautiful sound of pages turning while others do too. I'm going to listen to the message, and ask God to direct my paths. Maybe fellowship after, and walk someone to their car. Someone I don't know, or doesn't know me. And make people wonder what is wrong with that guy? Who does he think he is? Why is he such a rebel? I thought this was church. Can't I be alone anywhere? Yes. But we will never be strangers again. Try that with God!
The answer-just a friend of Jesus, someone who cares enough about you to get to know you. And be blessed by meeting Him! May miracles a bound when the church gets together, and then takes it to the street. And if you call, I will try to answer the phone-without looking to see who is calling. Surprise me, I like surprises.
Get personal with God today, it may be the only one on one conversation you have. And make sure it is a dialogue, for He not only listens, but loves to respond. Hey Lord, I think we're alone now, there doesn't seem to be anyone around. Now what were you trying to tell me? Here he comes now saying...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com