The hunt was on to find the ghost town of Ablemarle. My friends Mike and
Carol had gotten me interested in ghost towns, and being the best salesman at
Toyota, he got a free demo vehicle, so chose a Land Cruiser. And Sunday
mornings became our escape from city life in Albuquerque, and searching for
ghost towns in New Mexico. But this spring day that looked inviting almost
ended up in disaster, and the elusive ghost town of Ablemarle still has not been
found. It is shown on many old maps, but no roads led to it, so off we went.
We were determined to go where no man had gone before, we were young, foolish,
and fearless. So what could go wrong? The quest to find Ablemarle, but first
how do you get there? With the help of old books, and visits to the library in
these pre-Internet days, we headed up into the mountains above Santa Fe with
high hopes. Mike was an experienced 4-wheel drive off roader, and with a new
Land Cruiser we felt invincible. Add in nice weather with highs in the 50’s,
and the search was on. At about 9500’ we ran out of road, and we thought we saw
what could have been the remains of a town down in a valley. So trusting Mike’s
skills and Toyota’s best, we made our own trail, the snow melting, and being
able to see earth below. We were cruising along into the afternoon, making
progress but slow, and not willing to admit to ourselves we would never make it
before dark, it gets dark quick on the east side of the mountains. The ground
had begun to get soft, the snow melting, then muddy, then almost impassable.
But not wanting to give up when we were so close, we went on just a little
more....and that was our mistake. The Land Cruiser was short on power at that
altitude, and soon we had to stop, just short of getting stuck...well at least
within a few feet of knowing where we should have stopped. We were not stuck,
but couldn’t move, the ground so soft and muddy it was impassable. So after
trying to place the blame on each other, the first thing to do in any panic
situations, before going to panic, we prayed. And waited. And as the sun went
down it got colder, quicker, and soon the thermometer said 32, then 25, then
20....And with little sun, no preparations, and no one knowing where were, we
weren’t even sure, all we knew was we needed to get out and quick. Like an hour
ago...when Carol suggested we cut down branches and drive over them. So cutting
off branches we backed out, laying them under all the drive wheels, moving 10’
at a time, backwards, until the sun went down, and the ground froze enough to
use 4 wheel drive again. For over 3 miles...What had looked so promising
weather wise, had been the downfall of our trip, the nice weather melting the
snow and creating mud. For over three hours it took us to get what had taken
only 45 minutes to get stuck in, and pavement never looked so good. We had
made it, no worse for wear, but cold, hungry, shaken, and never finding the
ghost town of Ablemarle. We had the right vehicle, the right driver, and
honorable intentions, but not knowing when to stop and turn around had almost
led to disaster. We had come very close to being the latest search and rescue
operation, if only any one had known where we were. It may have been months
until we had been found, if ever. Chasing ghosts in the form of towns, and many
lessons learned.
Number one was never set off without letting someone know where you are
going. Safety first can lead to disaster later if you aren’t safe. Also know
your conditions, and be prepared. Skill and talent, and even experience can let
you down if you make bad decisions. And one bad decision can led to another,
and soon you can only look back, with no way out. It has been said the highway
to hell is paved with good intentions, we found so is the road to Ablemarle.
But how do you know if your intentions are good? Are godly? If you are doing
the right thing? Let me introduce you to some 7 sons of Skeva. Who when
hearing about Jesus, and his miracles, decided to cash in on it themselves.
Peter, James, and John were making headlines with miracles, and the Apostle Paul
was changing the world with his evangelism. So why couldn’t they, imagine what
7 brothers could do, if only one man could do what Paul did? So the quest was
to find a man who was demon possessed, and cast the demons out. They knew of
such a man, sought him out and with every good intention, at least of making
headlines, they were going to cast out the demons. Commanding them to come out,
the demon turned to them and asked “we know of Jesus, and of Paul, but who are
you guys?” And then attacked them, sending them away bleeding and naked. They
had looked to do a good thing, but found it was more than good intentions. It
was all about Jesus, and not all about them. They got the headlines they had
been seeking, but not the ones they had hoped for. And today their story can be
found in Acts 19 as a reminder to all of us. Their ride ended in disaster,
fortunately ours didn’t. But how can you be sure the road you are on is the
right one? Who you are looking for may be what directs your path.
Today like always many are seeking God, but don’t want Jesus. They don’t
want to pick up their crosses and follow, they want to lead. They want a genie
in a lamp, not a savior on the cross. They want recognition, they don’t want
humility. And so are subjected to humiliation, and often blame God. It seems
it is always his fault when your plans go astray, but never yours when you
disobey. When we got lost, we knew to pray, and God gave us wisdom to get out.
He showed us the way, when we couldn’t see one. Sin is no different, and
without Jesus, there is no way out. Many search like we did for Ablemarle, but
find nothing. And so it is with looking for God. They look, but don’t find,
because they aren’t looking for and to Jesus. Who is there all the time, from
Acts 19 all the way to the New Mexico wilderness that day. But you need to turn
to him, let him lead, then follow. Still praying, but no answer? Maybe you
already have been given the answer, you just don’t like it. It may take a
change of life styles, who you ride with, or of total repentance. And only
Jesus is the way, while others may look or sound good, his way is the way. He
sees things we cannot see, knows what’s ahead, and has prepared a way through,
and not around. And you end up with a testimony, which may never make it into
print, but will lead you to the 7 sons of Skeva as a reminder. God rescued us
that day, and would again, and will again.
So trust God, don’t lean on your own understanding, or experiences, and in
all your ways acknowledge him. Good times and bad, on all roads, on all trips.
Don’t trust words, trust the Word, the person of Jesus Christ, and he will
direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5, a simple way to go at life, or after ghost
towns.
Learning to drive for the conditions, but trusting him unconditionally.
Not looking at the situation, but looking to the cross. Seeing Jesus, as
savior, Lord, and deliverer. Today make your first trip to the cross, then
follow his lead. Going where no man has gone before. Live long and
prosper...only in Jesus. All roads lead somewhere, only he leads to
heaven.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com