When the Clampetts moved to Beverly Hills and it was time for Jed's nephew to go to school, the local schools were less than thrilled with his appearance. Until... he mentioned his last school attended was Oxford. Changing their whole attitude, they were proud to have a Oxford grad coming there. "Oh, merry Olde England," she exclaimed. "It must have been a great experience going to school there."
"England?" said Jethro's puzzled look. "It's in Tennessee. I 'm not sure about England, but Oxford is the school by the low spot on the creek, where the ox ford the stream." And another myth was exposed.
Ever wonder how and why towns got their names? Where is the river in Riverside, CA? Can you imagine a Green Bay? Been there, the water is blue. I have been in both Long Beach and Oceanside, California, and New York. The two are not easily confused. Springfields abound, so do Farmingtons, actually lived in one myself. New Mexico, not old Mexico. Same with Las Vegas-two places I'd rather avoid. Did you know that there is even a Mohnton in Pennsylvania? Sadly few motorcycles, hard to believe a town that shares my name could be so deceptive in that category. Why do the NY Jets and Giants play in New Jersey? Never been to school in Oxford either. But I do own a Ford, but not an ox. Confused yet...
So it was when catching up with our trusted friend, road captain, and Torches alumni Joe Sewell, whose mom Maggie works in Nowata, OK, which just happens to mean no water, he took us on a great ride starting in Tulsa, and heading east into the Ozarks on US 412, the old road, not the four laner. And our first stop on this 100 degree day was at the "Git and Split. " What a perfect name for a convenience store. Which all seem to have a catchy name in the Midwest. Kum and Go, Toot and Totem, Gas and Go-all great names, but Git and Split gets my vote. And it is in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. A beautiful area, but the name sorta throws me. Locusts, aren't they the ones that are usually associated with plagues in the Bible? Aren't they the ones I remember one summer as a kid, who ate everything in sight, and then left their hard shells behind on the trees, or to crunch when you walked on? Miserable looking pests, who while making a chirping noise had their beady eyes looking through you? Why would you name your town Locust Grove? What could possibly attract you to a place named after destruction and death? Do they have a housing development The Plague? Typhoid Avenue. Pestilence Place? I do know of a Locust Avenue in Fanwood. Didn't Tom Waits live at the intersection of Bedlam and Squallor? I can see the Chamber of Commerce mailouts-"come to Locust Grove! Stop at the Git and Split-right next to the restaurant that closed down because so many got food poisoning." True story. So as I finished my Coke, and took my last breath of the smell of burning oil from the week old broasted chicken, fresh air never smelled so good, and the silence of no locusts heard inside my helmet made for sweet music. I had been to Locust Grove and missed the locusts-now onto the grove! I had successfully Gitted and Splitted! But no shirt to prove it.
Did you know that there are over 90 types of locusts? Scary huh? And that they eat and destroy anything and everything in their path? Even aluminum, steel, and plastic, their appetites are so voracious, they eat everything in their path. And then die. With more coming behind them. Maybe that is why they are a common Biblical plague. Just ask the Egyptians. But they are also mentioned by the prophet Joel, of things to come in the last days-of which you are a current resident. Here four are mentioned-palmerworms gnawed, locusts or storming ones, cankers or creeping ones, and caterpillar or stripping ones. "Have you ever seen anything like this?" he asks. Yes, but not all at once, like today. For when the locusts leave, there is nothing to eat. Societies collapse. Leaving white powder, or a burned out, scarred people, the Romans called them burners of the field. Sound like current events? World economies in turmoil. Pestilence around the world. Extreme weather-did you know Oklahoma set a US record for heat last month, almost an 89 degree daily average? Joblessness, governments failing at all levels, and you can see the obvious comparison Joel is making. The locusts of sin leaving nothing behind except destruction, touching every life of everyone -even in the US of A. Lives being gnawed at, fear storming peoples lives, turmoil creeping into every aspect of our lives, and a prosperous nation being stripped of all its riches, power, and might. Maybe that old Hal Lindsay book, The Late, Great Planet Earth, written in 1969 was right. Jesus is coming soon, the evidence is all around. But right before, these things must happen. Unexpectably for those not looking, but not soon enough for those of us who are.
But it is not too late to be saved from the locusts that consume your life. Trust God today. Turn to Him, He knows your situation, let Him guide you through, and into heaven. A place that no man has seen-so much for the bright light theory, that no ear has heard the music of, and that no mind can imagine. Better than your favorite road, it goes on forever. No pain, sickness, being tired, broke, or hungry. Perfect in every way. And no locusts.
No Locust Groves in heaven either. Just Jerusalem, the city of God. And soon when God calls His church home, we will "git and split" from here. The plagues are coming, in fact many are here-just look around. But look up, for your redemption is nearer today than when you first believed.
A grove of locusts, or a grove of great riding? And not even a bug to get on your face or face shield. No laws either, so you won't have to wear a helmet. And you won't find any place called heaven in the US of A. It is a special place for God and His children. Like the song says, "but I've been to Oklahoma.."
Be ready to "Git and Split" today!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com