We were walking through Chaparral Cycle Supply last week, think of COSTCO
for motorcycles only, when we noticed a fat Chinese kid leaning against the door
to the men’s room. This Pugsley Addams look alike with glasses was totally out
of place here playing on his cell phone with his Pokemon t-shirt on among all
the others motivated by two wheels as opposed to two opposing thumbs. He looked
like the poster child for the NFL’s Play 60, where kids are forced to go out and
play and have fun, not stay inside and take up space. What he was doing there
or how he got there was a mystery, as he was alone, maybe using Google to find
his way out. Still there when we left a half hour later. Jokingly I wondered
what kind of future this kid had....yesterday I got a glimpse. Stopping in a
Sprint store to pay my son’s cell phone bill, we were confronted by a counter
where 5 monitors with employees behind them were trying to assist customers. I
say try, as one had three people trying to help this young girl, combined IQ
just under 100, she knew more than they did, another kid dozed off while his
friend got his new phone set up, another two guys were debating what phone to
buy, while a young teen age girl with her mother was trying to decide what to
buy, with frequent phone calls to her father for the OK. When that employee
made eye contact with me, I told him “I just want to pay a bill,” and he told me
I was next. Next week. Next month. Next what? Finally when mother of new
cellphone to be prospect called her husband again, she stepped aside so I could
pay my son’s bill. The look of frustration filling her face. After all,
Christmas is next week....It took me less than a minute, and he told me “people
sure are upset today.” When I mentioned to him that every app had the potential
to annoy, I saw Pokemon looking back at me, his future assured as long as kids
have thumbs and rather text than ride. And you wonder why I don’t like cell
phones....
Four years ago when I had my house painted, I bought paint with “Superior
Fade Resistance,” and a LIFE TIME warranty. Yet when it faded quickly, I called
and wanted their warranty to be honored, and no one was quite sure what lifetime
meant. So they sent out a representative, who offered me more paint for free.
Why would I want more of the same lousy paint, and why would I pay to have it
put on? He told me “it is out of my hands,” so getting aggressive I found
someone who agreed it was cheaper and better for customer relations to paint my
house rather than go to court. And that the new paint was even more fade
resistant. And that this was a one time offer, but my thinking was paint. fade.
repeat. Every four years if I have to, for the new improved paint has the same
warranty. Lifetime, mine or the company’s not stated, is this the future of
America?
Off my mind wandered to last year needing a new alternator for the
Mustang. I was told it was new, instead of the industry standard of rebuilt.
They came from China, and were cheaper. And that his experience was that every
1 out of 3 was any good. Think of it as a 3 for 1 sale, place your bets
America, such a deal. And how letting all illegal aliens in for free made sense
in a degrading way. And how Pokemon t shirt kid may have some competition for
work. Even getting a job at 7-11 may be too tough for him, he is not qualified
enough. For when the illegal is asked “what foreign language do you speak,” and
replies “English,” he and his worn out thumbs will be headed for a surely dark
future. But I do hear they may need housepainters...
The next generation has always been of concern, and up until
recently we looked ahead with great hope instead of despair. Jesus faced the
same problem, but under the guidance of his father, built a team of 12 men who
would carry on his work, spreading the gospel. 12 men of varying backgrounds,
eligible for employment at any US 7-11 as they spoke Arabic. They would be left
with the most important responsibility, that of evangelizing, then discipling
the new Christians, and starting new churches. From the original 12, one faded,
as prophesied, and in the first election in church history, elected Barnabas,
who is rarely mentioned again. Some theologians believing they voted in
error,as Paul was chosen by God, he met all the requirements including having
seen Jesus alive, and would go on to be an apostle extraordinaire. So much for
democracy in the church, proving it is much better to follow God than your own
ways. But these 12 men had a new power, the presence of the Holy Spirit to
guide them. God sent Jesus to save us, then sent his spirit to guide us, and
them until Jesus returns for his church-us. And that same spirit guides us
today, think of it as the original 3 for 1 deal, and when other apps fail, he is
the app of salvation. Not found on any phone, but only in Jesus. Where you
don’t have lines, or have to text him, he is with you always. And listening.
Are you? Can you hear him now? Are you aware of the spirit’s calling for your
life? Many are today, and unlike the Pokemon kid have a secure future in
Christ. Where when Jesus says lifetime warranty, he means his, which is
eternal. Sin. Salvation. Repeat. And his promise not only has endured, but is
still honored by his father, now our father in heaven. And in all
languages....where we enter into the kingdom as friends and family where as we
were once strangers. For Jesus is more powerful than any social media, and his
message endures forever. No more standing in line, he has waited for us, will
you accept his offer? Verify his claims and warranty? Or will you still be
looking for love in all the wrong places? I hear there are apps for that
too....
But back to Pokemon, standing against the men’s room door. Is
it possible that he came in to use the men’s room, and is pushing on a door that
pulls out? Maybe looking for a way in, when he needs a way out. Do you think
that maybe he is too lazy, too stupid, or still looking for an app to get him
into the men’s room? NAH....you think so?
Such are those looking for God. He is real, and personal. Call
out to him today, he knows your language. The original 12 +2 did too, and under
the power of the spirit changed the world. And it is still changing today.
Somewhere some kid in a Pokemon shirt is looking to get into heaven, he hears
the knocking on the other side from Jesus. Be the app in person....years from
now he may be the next generation to spread the gospel. Remember it is out of
our hands, so place your future in the hands of a living God, the warranty found
in the nail piercings. Make no mistake, his claims are real, he is the truth,
and lifetime means forever with him. Why Play 60 when you can play
forever?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com