Watching Eric Clapton the other night at his Crossroads benefit to raise
money for his privately owned rehab center in Antigua, we both commented how
smooth and effortlessly he played. No wasted movements, the hands just moving
as if they knew where to go next, perfectly in tune with each other. Amazing to
me, I have trouble getting one hand to do what I want it to do, let alone play a
musical instrument. But when joined on stage by Robbie Robertson, Stevie
Winwood, Jeff Beck, and others who are legends in their own right, his appeared
to move even more effortlessly than theirs. All great guitarists, each with a
certain style, but his flowed. And when it comes to the blues....Lord have
mercy. But one thing they all have in common is they all feed off each other.
Each solo blast getting better than the last, you cold feel the energy, the
music just being a wonderful benefit of the efforts. John Wickham, our worship
pastor and an original in the Christian music 45 years ago with Parable, plays
the same way. His guitar sings when he plays, each song a live session, and
watching him make music is a rush. Some can play instruments, following the
music off the sheet as written, some are musicians and every emotion is
intensified, including the worship emotion when they play. So watching old EC
the other night reminded me of a scripture, one of the ones you hi-lite in your
Bible, and then gets lost among all the other hi-lited ones. Ephesians 3:20
tells us “now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work in us,” I forget that God is
always at work in me. That when I ride, I can worship him and enjoy the ride
even more. Years of riding, like Eric’s years of playing bring out parts of a
relationship between two old friends, with him his guitar, and me a motorcycle,
but when God enters the picture, I ride better, enjoy it more, and become one
with the bike. All the time being one in the spirit. We grow together, and
it’s like I used to tell Mrs.Campbell, my 96 year old Sunday School teacher,
“you and God have been friends for so long you are on a first name basis with
him.” And in Jesus we all are, andin him just like the scripture tells us, we
can do more than we could ever ask or imagine.
Now I can ask for some pretty wild things, pushing God to the limit
sometimes. And yes, he tells me no very often, knowing what is best. But over
the years I have found that whenever he tells me no, it is because a better yes
is coming. Time and time again God knows what is best, and what is best for
me. And shows it in the little things....on many trips we see his hand when we
meet people. Meeting a man who actually worked on Mount Rushmore and talking
with him...some 70 years after it was completed. Meeting Rat, the owner of the
Riverside Hotel in Clarksdale, Mississippi, who gave us a guided tour of this
historic hotel, where Bessie Smith, Queen of the Blues died. And shared many
stories with us, one afternoon after a long ride. Nothing we expected, but God
knew, and I have a picture of him and Theresa in the book about him. And even
one hot afternoon in Reno, after a long ride, standing in line with the hundreds
of others who saw the $19 room at Circus Circus, and when the girl stood up and
announced “no more $19 rooms,” and the lobby emptied, announced “Suites for
$29,” and we were first in line, getting a corner suite with a hot tub. God
knows, and knew...and we know him.
Some would call it luck, discounting the fact of a loving God in control.
Some are fatalists, whatever happens is going to happen. So why pray? While
some have hope, others have given up completely. Some enter the day saying
“good Lord it’s morning,” where I prefer “good morning Lord.” Every morning is
a chance to start over, putting yesterday behind us and looking ahead. The
miracles are there, God is here, and so are we. So why do some give up? Aren’t
all of God’s promises “yea and amen?” Isn’t he a God of his word? True some
seem born with a natural talent, while others need practice, but in all things
we can exceed our dreams. Maybe an old musician said it best, “your talent is
exceeded only by your potential. And in Christ we can exercise that potential.
We can live better, love better, forgive and enjoy more blessings, when we are
in Christ. And yes, my want list can become long and tiring, but at the bottom
of every list I make, whether written or in my mind, I now leave roomfor one
last box to be checked. One missing from most of ours when we pray, and the one
I find God answers the most often. “None of the above,” is the one he checks
off, after reviewing my desires. And when my desires are of him, when he
becomes the desire of my heart, “none of the above” becomes an infinite list my
finite mind could never imagine. Or rationalize. But it takes trust, and like
Eric and Blackie his guitar, a relationship is formed, the two become one and
beautiful music is played. Notes never heard in harmonies never imagined, and
the blessing flow. From God through us, and we are able to bless and be
blessed. Potential far beyond any talent we have, more love than we could ever
imagine from the Lord.
The spirit reveals the mysteries of Christ to us, and the spirit shows us
how God is everywhere, and wants to be included in your everything. Even
watching a concert, you can see his majesty in a musician, or while riding his
hand on the countryside. And even at work, his grace and mercy as you deal with
people. And they deal with you. More than we can ever imagine...and that is
here on earth. Wait until we reach heaven, “where eye has not seen, nor ear
heard, nor mind imagined the things of God,” we will experience. It will
definitely take a new body with new senses to take it all in, and the new heart
he gives us when we are saved is where it starts. Right now, you and Jesus,
making beautiful music together. Where none of the above becomes all of the
above, for we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us. All. Suddenly I
know which box to pick when dealing with God, and he makes life that much
simpler and more blessed.
One of the best BBQ meals was at The Golden Rule in Birmingham, Alabama
after a long ride to find the pit we had been told about. When it was closed,
we found The Golden Rule, and the best BBQ. Period. Great service, where the
lady making the beans has been there for over 57 years, and they are afraid she
will quit...she is the only ne who knows the recipe. I wonder if she ever knew
years ago how she would impact others? I can taste the Brunswick Stew now, just
save room for the chocolate icebox pie. Washed down with sweet tea...as if
there was any other. Maybe an example of God’s golden rule, about doing unto
others, adding as he has done to us, that ought to change our attitudes.
We all can’t play like Eric or John, or ride like Kenny Roberts. But we
can all know God, he sent Jesus to make it easy. The choice is ours, the
blessings are ours, and the time is right now. Unlock the potential God has
inside of you today, don’t miss any blessings, and don’t forget which box to
check off. All of the above-only in Christ will you find it. Find out just how
much immeasurably more is today...pass the hot sauce please, I’ll have seconds
on the brisket. And always remember the Golden Rule.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com