Somewhere between here and there it is easy to get confused. When I had my
birthday earlier this month, I told people despite my age, I didn’t feel old,
but felt older. Now to a generation lost on the meaning of words, those who
live in txt.land, this may have meant nothing, but to those of us to whom words
mean something, it meant something. How’s that for simple logic. I was older,
just not old. And I began to realize how trapped in numbers we get everyday.
Not more trapped, just trapped. ESPN was bragging about how this 21 year old
had hit for the cycle, the youngest ever. I remember turning 21 and being faced
with adult responsibilities, yet looking back 21 seems so young, I was only 21
when I left home alone on my motorcycle and headed west. But 21 is young for a
ball player, for later I watched a show about Reggie White, who died after years
in the NFL at the young age of 33, old by NFL standards. As I look in the
garage at my 1978 GS1000, at 35 years old it is old by motorcycle standards,
but not to me, I remember them as new. We just sold Uncle Buck, our 1990 Crown
Victoria, and he was older than the ball player who hit for the cycle. Yet
caught in a time warp, just an old used car, but not old enough to be
collectible. But some old car shows are now allowing old cars from the 80’s in
the show, and I get confused, what is old? What is young, and what is old? Did
I become used along the way, and when do I get my collector status? Maybe it is
like my mother, who once threw out some wine given to them as a gift because it
got older. My parents were never drinkers, so maybe it is the eye o the
beholder. Man oh man on Manishevitz!
When I was growing up I always wanted to be 12, until I had to pay more at
the movies. All of a sudden my 50 cents was no good to get me in, and the $1.25
admission fee was 25 cents more than my budget, which used to include popcorn
and a drink. What was I thinking? Remember the urban legend about insurance
going down when you turned 26 years old? Missed out on that one, too. So it
seems I fall into the Goldilocks Syndrome, I ‘m either too hard, too soft, too
hot, too cold, too young or too old. What I find I am more than anything else
is normal. And I can’t remember making that a goal as a younger, not a young
man. Maybe an old Alfred P. Sloan quote, the architect of the original GM make
sense, “you can’t sell a young man an old man’s car, but you can sell a old man
a young man’s car.” Which I used to believe, but look around today, kids
driving 4 door sedans, moms in SUV’s, which are really station wagons, the last
thing we would ever tell our dad to buy, and suddenly they look old. With
parents starting kids early in kindergarten, and learning to read so they can
attend, youth is no longer wasted on the young. Maybe it is like Landon assures
me, “I’m 4 1/2!” Not 4, but 4 1/2. That 1/2 makes the difference. He glad
he’s getting older, just not old, yet. So maybe we all live in this time/space
continuum never fully realizing who, what , where, how, or why we are. Age
defines us, or really numbers do. So who are you really?
I also find that most problems change when taking the money factor out of
them. We need money for food when hungry, no-you need food. Money is just the
form of payment. We give out free food, it is called a gift. We meet needs as
needed, the true definition of teamwork-if it needs to be done, do it. Yet so
many are in my pockets, or trying to get in them, and the prices only get
higher, just like my insurance premiums, they never come down. But true
ministry is not like that, which often stuns those not in it. Deluged by phone
calls, letters, and sadly cries from some pulpits, some give because they want
to, some under guilt, and some because they were taught that way. But true
ministry meets the needs of others, and is dependent on Jesus Christ. Sending
out His disciples, he told them take no money, or food, He’ll provide. And if
someone refuses you, they are really refusing Him, shake the dust from your
feet, and take your blessings and go on. In either case, money never changed
hands. But Jesus spells it out in Matthew 25, talking to a group of church
types, who wondered where they had seen Him, really they wondered where He had
been. We did signs and wonders, we prophesied, and in today’s vernacular we did
book tours, special offerings, sold trinkets, and t-shirts. All the same things
that Jesus once cleared the tabernacle from-money grubbers using God to further
their business. Which is why I avoid any business that shows a Christian symbol
in its ads. True ministry is just the opposite, go out into the world and share
with the lost! Meet needs. But the answers Jesus gave were simple in regards
to ministry-if thirsty, give a drink. if hungry, share some food. Naked,
clothe them. If in jail or the hospital, even housebound, go and visit. But my
favorite, includes both evangelism, discipleship, and the love of God all in
one. It personifies Jesus Christ-when you see a stranger, welcome them, take
them in. We were all strangers once, some stranger than others, and He took us
in. And at what price-don’t even ask! You couldn’t afford it. No FICA score
or line of credit needed.
And in three years, starting at age 30, the year a priest went out to work,
He did more in that time than all others can do today by themselves, but we can
do more with Him-another free promise. So no matter how old, how broke, how
rich, how pretty, or how cool you think you are, Jesus still wants you, and has
a ministry designed for you. And one you will enjoy and be good at. No fees
necessary. Where He guides He provides. I wish I had had that promise on some
of the decisions I made on my own! Looking at my bank account, it has all the
zeroes, just nothing in front of them, why do others ask me for money, when many
of us just don’t have it? Doesn’t scripture tell us we can do ALL things
according to His riches and glory? Not our own! So maybe somewhere between
here and there we do get confused. That isn’t Jesus, and that isn’t
ministry.
“Silver and gold have I not,” Peter said as he healed the cripple in Jesus
name. Revelation even tells us that the heavenly highways are paved in gold.
Investing in asphalt? Maybe invest in Jesus instead. Send it ahead, as the
saying goes. Don’t get caught up in the numbers of life, instead let life work
for you. Every age has its good points, and bad points. But blessings are in
every day with Jesus, maybe you just aren’t looking. Or asking. Or better yet,
listening to His answer. When He says no, it is because it is out of His will,
and He has a better yes coming.
And as far as numbers go, a friend bought a new car, “0-60 in 6 seconds,”
he bragged. Pointing at the Street Triple, I said “3 seconds.” Fast, and
faster. He was younger, I am older. You decide. Jesus said He will drink no
wine before it is His time, and He calls us home. Good enough for me, some of
us need to grow in Him a little more, and with so few workers, the harvest grows
everyday. “Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances,” not with Jesus. He
wants you, and needs you. Somewhere between here and there you are part of His
perfect plan. Don’t miss out, check Him out today. Don’t be like that 12 year
old who only the day before had money for popcorn and a soda, and now can’t
afford to get in. The price of admission is always the same-one soul, yours.
The best deal you will ever make at any age. Even Goldilocks found rest in the
perfect bed, find yours in Jesus. I may get older, but I refuse to grow
up.
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot.com