Somehow we endure despite all the so called blessings we are surrounded
with. Back in the 80's when the cola wars were going hot and heavy, I was a
salesman for Coca Cola. When Pepsi started their challenge, we responded "if
there wasn't a champion, there wouldn't be a challenger." And as the cola wars
heated up, a funny thing happened-both Coke and Pepsi showed sales increases, it
seemed the competition was good for both of them, but not the lesser brands.
I worked for a man called Don, who was described once as "the only man who
could screw up Coca Cola." And perhaps the worst people handler of all times.
No people skills at all. And a manager from Circle K once told me "any mistake
you make isn't your fault, it's the jerk you work for," while he was standing
next to me. But the salesman at Pepsi who I sold against was a guy named Bob.
If you were to run an ad looking for an idiot for your village, Bob would be the
best choice. He was a nice enough guy, but drove his customers crazy. And
anyone else who came in contact with him-he never shut up. And was incredibly
ignorant in so many areas, he was the opposite of the jack of all trades-he was
an idiot of all trades. But we ran the same routes on the same days, on
Tuesdays we went to Dulce on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation, about 110 miles
from Durango. Then through the Gobernador Natural Gas Fields, the second
largest in the world at the time-this was wide open space, with little traffic,
and during a time where the speed limit was 55mph, we ran at over 100!
I had seen Bob in Dulce, and after my last stop, took off for Gobernador.
About 25 miles from town, or anything, I saw his blue pickup on the side of the
road, but no Bob. I kept going, and on the horizon I saw Bob walking, as if he
would get anywhere in the 90 degree sun, with 20 miles to the next phone. So
coming up on him, he turned when he heard the truck, and starting waving, then a
smile broke out on his face when he saw it was me. But looking ahead, not
making eye contact, I kept going! The last view of him was all the joy leaving
his face as I looked in my rear view mirror-not stopping! I'm sorry, I just
couldn't resist-but after the next bend, went back to get him. And for the next
45 minutes wished I hadn't as he drove me nuts. For Bob never shut up! And I
wonder to this day, did I make the right decision?
We call them "one-uppers," if you have a new car, they have a better one.
Your TV is 52 inches, theirs is 60. You have a 1000cc motorcycle, they have a
1500. You go on vacation, they've already been there. And just like Bob, they
never shut up. Says all, knows nothin'. And they never listen because they
never shut up! They know it all, and like a shirt I saw Sunday says, "You who
think you know it all bother those of us who really do!" They not only have an
opinion on everything you do, but if only they had been there you would be in
better shape. To which Mark Twain once said," if you have the reputation for
being a fool, don't open your mouth and prove it!" But they don't listen, and
some even give God advice. Proving Mark, and God correct.
But God is forgiving, and loves them anyway. Hey, He loves us, right? But
when He made man, He gave us some unique characteristics. Among them was one
mouth, which we can control, but two ears, which we can't. And even until
death, your hearing is the last to go. Just maybe is He trying to tell us
something, if only we would shut up?
Jesus is called wonderful counselor. I like that, and I need Him more and
more each day. He is truth, and not an opinion to influence you. He loves you
so much He will give you the best advice, and the only advice you should take.
So He tells us to be "doers of the word, not just hearers." He expects you to
listen. Before you act. And self control, including of the tongue, is a fruit
of the spirit. And you didn't make Jesus up, like some claim, but were told
abut Him by the Holy Spirit-again a great case for listening! Remember that
next time you pray, it is possible you don't receive because you don't listen!
You ask, but then never let God answer.
So don't be a Bob. You may be stuck someday and no one will respond to
your call for help. But thank God He will. He will provide a way through your
situation, but only if you listen to what He says. By faith. And then do it,
by obedience. Ask and you shall receive. But obey, and it will be given unto
you. Are you listening? We will only know by the fruit you produce. Like I
said, if there wasn't a champion, there would be no challenger.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com