Even despite the best, most carefully given directions, in spite of your
GPS telling you “turn right in .6 miles,” and your spouse noting “that building
looks familiar, haven’t we just been by it,” and turning down the radio to
better navigate, why do we do that escapes me, we get lost. We don’t know where
we are in regards to where we want to be, so we start to panic. We look at
signs in the country, but all road numbered roads look the same. “Was that Road
220 or 228?” When confused all things seem to take on a similar, yet unfamiliar
look, and rather than stop and seek directions, we keep going. Now on most of
my rides that can prove to be a good thing, as long as I have gas, we aren’t
lost. But many times when an appointment has been arranged, or someone is
depending on you, panic begins to set in. And even though we can be very close,
we feel very far away. Finally in desperation we call the one who we are to
meet, who answers with “where are you?” And you think, “if I knew, I wouldn’t
ask.” But more often you just exclaim “I’m lost!” Never our fault. And
whether in the mountains, in the fields, or downtown USA, all things look the
same. And reference points seemed blurred, you need to go back and find a place
of reference so you can be told how to go. You need to find a starting point,
and “I don’t know” isn’t the right answer. Honest, just wrong.
But what if you have followed the directions explicitly, and not where you
need to be? One morning I was to meet Theresa in Orange County at a picnic,
riding ahead for business. Simple directions, and she is very good at
navigation. “Up the 405, get off at Beach and go right. The park was only 2
miles, you can’t miss it.” And when she didn’t show up, I became concerned, I
never thought she had gotten lost, where was she? And when she called, I asked
“where are you?” “At the beach?” How did she get there? Following my
directions...she got off at Beach and turned right....but where I had come in
from the other way, I didn’t know you went under the overpass, and then turned
right following the road, going to the beach. I thought it was a simple off
ramp, and go right...I directed, she listened and obeyed, and ended up at the
beach. Six miles the other way!
But many times the signs don’t help either. Roads split, and exits
disappear if you take the wrong fork. Again if out for a ride I have found many
cool roads I didn’t know about, but when I try to tell others I cannot tell them
how to get there. I knew where I was, just not sure where I was. Lastly
getting lost in big cities is easy for me, I am used to the intelligent grid
Albuquerque is laid out on. Give me an intersection, and a few minutes, I’ll be
there. But one city that was laid out by wandering cows, maybe drunk, has Main
Street, Main Avenue, Main Place, Main Circle, Main Drive, and Main Road. All in
different areas, and not to be confused by the state of Maine everything.
Suddenly 1220 Main takes on a new, scary destination. And what happens when a
canyon gets between you, and the road on the other side. One way streets not
going the way you want only make it worse. No one wants to be lost, to admit to
being lost, or to stop and ask directions....
The first question asked in the Bible is from God, to Adam and Eve? “Where
are you?” They didn’t show up for their daily afternoon walk, and God knew
something was up. He knew where they were, hiding, but wanted to hear from
them. For them to admit they were lost. To seek him and find the way back.
But sin stood in the way, they were seeking a way back, and God was the way. We
are told that he physically walked with them, and when God appears in physical
form, it is in the form of Jesus. And here we have the first evidence of Jesus
reaching out to sinners, to two lost souls, seeking to reunite with them. Note
he is seeking them, while they hide from him. It is called a theophany, the
physical manifestation of God, and from the beginning in the Garden, he is
looking for those who are lost. Today if God were to ask you “where are you?”
could you tell him? Would you tell him? What would you say?
When a man asked for prayer last night, I had just met, I asked “where are
you with Jesus?” It makes all the difference in the answer. Saved, you may
just need direction, simple forgiveness, and to be shown the way back. But if
not saved, if truly a lost sinner, you need to be saved. And giving spiritual
advice to one not in the spirit will only confuse more. Many well meaning
Christians have given advice without asking “where are you with Jesus?” leaving
the lost person worse off than when he began. If God asks “where are you?” it
certainly is OK for us to ask. For without a starting point, a point of
reference, you may be given good advice, just not right advice. And spend a day
at the beach, missing the picnic.
Jesus answered many questions with questions, making us think. Allowing us
to understand, giving us that focal point to concentrate on and start from. We
need to know where the questioner is before we can give adequate directions. To
minister effectively. To show love and forgiveness. We need Jesus to guide, but
we need to know where we are so we can get on the right path. All roads, like
all advice lead somewhere, but not always where we want to go. And the tank may
be low, with only Jesus knowing the way.
Where are you with Jesus? Maybe you don’t know, at least an honest
answer. Seek him today, answer him honestly, then follow his directions. Stiff
necked Jews wandered 40 years in the desert, never going far from home, they
never asked direction. Are you saved and lost your way? Are you wandering and
wondering about Jesus? Take time to consider where you are. Then let God guide
you to where you need to be. You may be looking for a place on Main, but
without keeping Jesus the main thing, you’ll never find that right address.
Many things look the same when lost, or confused. Nobody likes to admit they
are lost. But it is the first step to salvation. Maybe the most important
question you will ever be asked. So, where are you with Jesus?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com