Two men were going to go for a hike in the woods, it was an area known for
wildlife, among them bears. And both men being city folk, and not familiar with
the terrain, and wildlife, sought out a ranger before entering. After the usual
precautions, they were ready to go. Excited, they had their packs and water,
and as they left the ranger had one more bit of advice, in the form of a
question. “What do you do if you see a bear?” One answered “run,” and the
other agreed. “Do you think you both can outrun a bear?” asked the ranger.
But the smarter, seemingly wiser of the two responded, “I don’t have to outrun
the bear, just my friend.” Survival of the fastest, not necessarily the
fittest. And not quite the response the ranger was looking for, but true.
How many times when speeding down the road have we seen a cop on the side
of the road, slow down quickly, and feel relieved when you see he has pulled
over someone else. Glad for you, but not always sad for them. Very rarely do
we think that could have been me, and race on. How many times have you been the
one, and wish someone would stop and provide support? In both cases, trying to
outrun the bear, but needing only one to get caught to save the other. One
night, actually early morning, BH and I were riding in rural Pennsylvania, much
faster than common sense would dictate. When suddenly a highway patrol car
appears out of nowhere in our rear view mirrors. And that sinking feeling
overwhelmed us. Busted! He was nice, very professional, and advised us of our
high speed antics. Looking at our licenses, he was about to write us a ticket,
when a biker on a chopper appeared coming towards us. Helmetless in the bright
moonlight, helmet laws were strictly enforced back then, as he passed, the
officer had to make a quick decision. Handing us back our licenses, he said
“wait here, I’ll be right back.” And a soon as he was out of sight chasing the
chopper, we took off the other way. We hadn’t needed to outrun the bear, just
the chopper. Secretly we would have liked to see his face when he returned and
we were gone.
It seems the child hood game of hide and seek is played at different levels
as we get older. We are told we can run, but we can’t hide, yet the truth
catches up to us when least expected. I once worked with a man who was a highly
respected football coach. Until one day when he was called into the
superintendent’s office, and fired. He had falsified his resume, and never had
done the things he said, including attending college. So they fired him, some
10 years after he was hired. He lived knowing someday he would get caught, but
as each day passed, he forgot about it a little more. The bear of truth had
caught up with him, and he was the only one to blame. Truth had found him out,
but really it was his sin that had surfaced. He had become a legend at that
high school, infamous instead of famous. The truth had seen him fired, not set
free. In each of the examples, advice was given, but changed to use for
someone’s selfish advantage. Funny thing about good advice, it only works when
taken. Bad advice catches up to you.
We see Nehemiah in a situation where men are out to get him, and is given
advice that sounds good, but isn’t of God. A man claiming to be a prophet tells
him to find sanctuary in the temple. Sounds good if the enemy is closing, but
Nehemiah thought about it and refused. A true prophet of God would not cause
you to sin, and it was forbidden anyone but priests to enter the temple. A
place of sanctuary had been provided, just outside the temple. He asked “should
a man like me run and hide using illegal practices?” He didn’t as he recognized
in his heart, his spirit that it was not of God. What would you have done?
Fear makes us do things we normally wouldn’t do, yet when Jesus arrives on the
scene, so many times his opening line is “be of good cheer.” But God, it’s the
cops, my career, my finances? My friend who runs slower. And suddenly we
forget God’s love in the face of survival.
We need to be in the spirit as many people will try to screw you up. Give
bad advice, sounds good, but is not of God. Knowing Jesus provides us with all
the help we need. If we turn to him in every situation. Yet others try to
screw you down, miring you in laws, regulations, and rules, that they themselves
don’t often follow. Screwed up or screwed down? When we don’t have to be. The
truth in the law is that it points out our sins, or failures. Jesus forgives
them. And calls us to follow him. With only one law-love. Maybe the hardest
one to follow on your own. So he left his spirit to guide us, to protect us,
and counsel us. That same spirit that informed Nehemiah of the truth is
available to us. But be careful, the counterfeiter also has advice that sounds
good, but leads to destruction. The bears are out there, the traps are set...so
be wary lest you fall into one away from God.
Screwed up? Turn to Jesus, he forgives, and will set you free to follow
him. Your choice. Screwed down? Turn to him also, find freedom in the spirit,
and from legalism. From the ties that bind of religion. Know when to run, know
when to hide. And where. When we walk with Christ we walk at a different
level. We walk to the beat for a different drummer, as Henry David Thoreau
espoused in Walden Pond. Only in the spirit do we hear God’s voice personally,
and know it is him. Counterfeits reveal themselves, and we can walk not in
fear, but in confidence that God is with us. And if God is for us, who can be
against us? Nothing will free us from fear and from the bear other than Jesus.
Who came to save, our souls and also walk with us daily. We need Jesus, we need
God. Nehemiah knew God, and his voice. He knew where to run to, and where not
to go. Do not be deceived.
The best way to know someone is by spending time with them. Works with God
too. Pray, read his word, and meditate on it. Hang out with believers, and
when the bear comes, know what to do. Turn to Jesus, who has a way out that
many times we have never thought of. Fear does that, it confuses. Jesus has
overcome, have you?
Your sin will find you out, but the truth will set you free. We belong to
God and do not have to fall for the pressures of the world. Be of good cheer,
for Jesus has overcome the world. Outrunning the bear takes on a whole new
meaning when walking, and not running. With Jesus. Let’s pray.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com