Billy Joel once had a close friend, who decided to move to the
West Coast, after selling his house and giving up on the American Way. Ending
up in LA. Might make a great song. But how many of us still live where we were
born? I was born in Texas, but have lived in Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, New
Mexico twice, with Colorado in between, and now in California. Sounds like
another song. But after 25 years and living in So Cal most of my life, I feel
like a native here. But can get along fine in Jersey, you got a problem with
that? I also feel like I am home when I travel to Texas, although leaving there
at only a few months old. And I feel very comfortable in New Mexico-at home in
Albuquerque. Go figure. All this from a family that has the same address for
over 54 years, and at one time they were the rebels, leaving a small town in
Pennsylvania for New Jersey, some 60 miles away. My aunt never having anything
but a Pen Argyl address, now living in a rest home an hour away. Finally my
sister who never got off Algonquin Drive, it was like moving her bedroom across
the street, she never left home. And when I left home at age 21 for the west,
on my motorcycle, they considered me the rebel. So unlike Billy J.’s reference
to giving up the American way, I am living it. And to each of us, there is no
place like home.
Which I have passed on to my sons, one in LA, and the other
moving only 30 miles north, but out of Escondido. Making their own lives, the
way it should be, and going after and living their dreams. Take a young Chris
Columbus. Nice Italian boy who when financed with Spanish pesos, set out to
find an Eastern route to the Far East. And discovering Ohio, just a joke. But
who was haunted by the fact that others who believed he would get to the edge of
the world and fall off. He didn’t, later it was proved the world was round, but
in his mind maybe he always wondered how close to the edge he was. Or if there
was an eastern edge. And it is hard to find a true Native American, who used to
be called Indians, started by the same Chris C. who thought he had landed in
India, appropriately naming them Indians. And now we have Indians in Cleveland,
Redskins in Washington, and Giants in New York. Raiders in Oakland, and Dodgers
in LA. Who came from Brooklyn, where my mother’s family is from, where my Nana
was orphaned at a young age when her mother was hit by a trolley car. Before
baseball came to Brooklyn, and they were called Dodgers, for dodging
streetcars. I wonder if Nana was ever a Dodger fan?
Some time ago, a young couple, Joe and Mary, were living in
Nazareth, but were from Bethlehem. In Israel, not Pennsylvania. When the law
commanded them to be part of the census, they made the trip to Bethlehem, where
they had a son while visiting. They named Him Jesus, who although born in
Bethlehem, was raised in Nazareth, and was referred to as the Nazarene. But
also as the Man from Galilee. Who never had a permanent address, even never
owned land as far as we know. But moved about the Holy Land His entire life,
the last three in ministry. And then who told is followers to take His message
from Jerusalem, to Judea, and then all the world. Which they did, setting up
churches wherever they went. And whose descendants still do today, proclaiming
the Good News of Jesus Christ, the gospel. And as believers, and followers, we
know we have an eternal home I heaven, which we long for. So we come from a
long line of those who set out to find the edge as Columbus did. To find the
other way, a better way, and finally it is found in Jesus Christ. Not all roads
lead to heaven, although they all lead somewhere. And the ride may be pretty,
and exciting. It may even offer rewards along the way, but there is only one
way to heaven, only one way home. And that is with Jesus. We may change
addresses throughout our life, but it is where our heart is that we end up. And
it is our choice.
So maybe the American Way, and the way in every country is
finding Jesus. Taking different routes to get to Him, but finding He is the
only way home. Which is why there are so many roads, yet not all lead to Him.
Consider this from a man who was the Nazarene born in Bethlehem. Who hung out
in Galilee. Who travelled most of His life, yet never forgot where home is.
And invites us into His home today, just as He has for over 2000 years. Will
you accept the invitation? Will you make the trip? With Him? Or are you still
searching? Maybe a stranger in a strange land, who never left home, but never
felt at home. Be like Billy’s friend, and be willing to give it all up. But
give it up for Jesus. There is nothing wrong with the American way, even
Superman endorsed it. But try it Jesus’ way, a better way, a heavenly way. You
may be closer to the edge than you think. And now is no time to fall off.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com