It took me a few times to understand the movie The Maltese Falcon. A few
years too young to see it on the big screen in a theater, I have the luxury of
channel surfing until something comes along I like, and most of my viewings of
it have been like that. Missing the beginning a standard theme, so never
getting the full effect. Some day I hope to, but for now I have seen the middle
and end many times. And each time get deeper involved. It is essentially about
a group of people chasing after the mythical Maltese Falcon, a jewel encrusted
bird. From sea to shining sea, and beyond them, characters like Miss
O’Shaughnessy, The Fat Man, and Joel Cairo chasing after it. When Miss O and
then Cairo enlist Sam Spade, played by Bogie, it gets even more interesting, and
the hunt intensifies. Following various leads, they will do anything to find
it, including murder, forming an alliance with each other, and eventually
selling each other out after implicating Spade. And when they finally capture a
bird, and discover it is a fake, they shrug, and go off after the next lead to
find it. Miss O going to jail for murder. And when Sam’s secretary asks him
what is so important about the bird, he replies “it is the stuff that dreams are
made of.”
Centuries ago a young man named Alex set out to conquer the world. And in
doing so, at least what he thought was the world, became bored when he thought
there were no more lands to conquer. And subsequently died, unfulfilled. Maybe
a seasoned writer/philosopher Sam Clemons, aka Mark Twain was right when he
wrote 150 years ago “the only thing worse than not getting your heart’s desire
is getting your heart’s desire.” Many are in it for the thrill of the hunt, and
today we see it at collector car auctions, where lifelong collections are sold
off, and the old owner going on to something else. People changing careers
because they cannot go any higher up in rank. Athletes, although rarely,
quitting at their peak. And sadly many giving up on God, after they feel he has
done all he can for them. Or met all their desires. Or even worse when they
feel he hasn’t lived up to their expectations. Very popular. And then they go
searching for another god, or another form of godliness, falling short of
salvation only found in Jesus Christ. It seems there is always someone, or some
group willing to take them in, and satisfy their curiosity, while robbing them
of their souls. Such groups come under the guise of religion, some even use the
name of Jesus in their name, some deny his deity all together, but claim to be
God’s witnesses, and some are just plain deceitful. Leaving the one who is
seeking at a loss. Only Jesus saves, all the others are false gods, leading to
destruction.
Living in New Mexico I dealt with many Indian tribes, where tent revivals
were popular. And the Indians would just add their theology to the list of what
they already had. In institutions we see Monday night Baptists, Tuesday
Catholics, Wednesday Church of Christ, Thursday Mormons, and Friday Lutherans,
each with a specific spin on God. Some claim you need good works, some by
joining their church, some by obeying the rules they set forth, and some by just
baptism. Forgetting that only Jesus saves, and many fall prey to religion,
denominations, and churches, when they really are seeking God. Who may or may
not be found in any of them. It takes the spirit to lead you to Christ,
religion binds you to rules, no freedom there, and rob you of salvation. Only
in Jesus do you find the “person that dreams are made of,” yet many are in it
for the hunt, an intellectual or theological affair, or to prove God wrong.
Changing the Bible, adding to it, or even denying it is the Word of God, making
it sound good, but leaving out Jesus.
Today the culture screams to get along with each other, just so long as you
agree with them. Just like their free speak belief, just as long as you believe
in their words, and not your own. Deny God, join the club, and be popular. And
maybe even obtaining a form of godliness, but never getting God with it. And
for those who speak against their heresy, they are labeled hate mongers,
bigoted, and judgmental. All by the ones who are guilty of it themselves.
Maybe we need to take Bob Lutz’s advice, automotive legend with GM, Chrysler,
and BMW, “don’t be afraid to call a spade a dirty shovel.” And we live among a
world of dirty shovels, trying to rob us of our joy of knowing Jesus, knowing
the enemy, and then identifying him are two different things. Anything that
denies Jesus is a dirty shovel. Same with religion that tells you “only our
way.” Churches are no better, substituting for a relationship with Christ, and
too many attend church faithfully, with no faith in Jesus ever placed. The
pastor is the man, not Jesus.
But calling a spade a dirty shovel will get you into trouble socially. The
truth may set you free, but in a world of false beliefs, and filled with dirty
shovels, a clean one stands out. And any time you take a stand for something,
including Jesus, you become a target. Just like scripture tells you will
happen. From jokes, to being made fun of, to being persecuted, choosing Jesus
makes you an enemy of the world. And of the dirty shovels. But you can know
the truth and be set free, but only in Jesus. No works added, only Jesus. No
special services, donations, or cultic practices-only Jesus. And the good news
is, if you are a dirty shovel, he can make you a clean one. Are you still
seeking a Maltese Falcon in your life, or are you seeking God? Do you want
forgiveness along with joy and peace, with heaven thrown in, or do you believe
this is all there is and you die and that is it. Don’t give up hope, turn to
Jesus, and make it real. Chanting the names of the Lord will not set you free,
it is rumored that up until his death George Harrison hoped he would get to
heaven, but wasn’t sure in his beliefs. Only in Christ are you assured the
truth.
Seek and you will find. God that is in Christ. Reality tells us that you
will never be rich enough, thin enough, or have all the toys. Don’t believe
that stupid saying “he who dies with the most toys wins.” He still dies, and
cannot take his toys with him. Believe in someone who can resurrect you upon
death, who can guide you through the maze of Falcons that try to deter you,
don’t try to gain the world only to lose your soul. When dirty shovel theology
comes at you, know the truth, and Jesus is that truth. Be set free. Be born
again. Be assured of heaven upon death. Know Jesus and know peace. “Just the
facts,” one Joe Friday tells us. Be the Sam Spade among the dirty shovels, and
know the truth and let him set you free. All others keep looking....only in
Jesus will you find” the person that dreams are made of.”
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com