Stopping and asking for directions is not an uncommon thing for us when
traveling. What is common is the amount of people who cannot give them. When
we frequent motorcycle shops, we ask for good riding roads, and often come up
blank. Stop at any convenience store, and ask directions, the blank look
translates the same in any language. So many who have lived in one place for
their entire lives don’t know a way out, or even where they are. Now I must
admit I am getting worse, I forget names of roads, but I can get around the
country, just not Escondido without incident. I gave up trying to remember all
the names, but I can remember the houses, cars, and sometimes even the people
that made the memory and serve for my future directions. It has become
acceptable to not know where you are, or are going, GPS will take over that
responsibility, you just obey. And hope you get there, wherever there is.
But what I find even more aggravating is those who do know, and must give
you even infinite detail of the route. “Go 1.5 miles to Main Street, a DQ on
the left, used to be a Big Boy. Follow the street for 5 stoplights, not
counting the flashing one for pedestrians. Jim’s Music is on the right. As you
approach the light, watch your speed, Officer Muldoon just waits with his radar
gun, and loves out of towners. At the fifth light, remember not to count the
pedestrian crossing, stay in the left lane, then quick right. If you have
passed the bowling alley, you went too far. Turn around and......” Been there
done that, thanks, but I can get lost on my own.
And then there are the helpful, “follow me, I’m going that way.” And as
they speed off, and you try to catch up, you actually pass the destination you
were looking for, as the Good Sam continues off into the sunset. Or next lost
traveler. So giving directions can be harder than asking for them. I usually
try to remember the highlights, at least for the first few turns. Then stop and
repeat process. “Let’s see, right on Orchard, left on Maple, left on 8th.” I
can remember the street names, but add landmarks, distances, and other useful
information, and I get lost. Without the benefit of GPS, so I only have myself
to blame. At least as long as I have gas I am never lost. And many a good
diner, good road, or new area have been found despite the best efforts of those
trying to help. Maybe if I had just listened to what the man said I wouldn’t
have gotten lost. But I thought I had....
Now imagine you were lost for 38 years, or in the case of the lame man
couldn’t walk for 38 years. You heard of this man who does miracles named
Jesus, but you are doubtful and hopeful all at the same time, you want to walk.
Here we find Jesus not commanding him to walk, but to just stand. If he cannot
stand, how will he be able to walk? So it takes action to make faith work. For
faith to work, he had to do as Jesus instructed. Then he tells him to pick up
his mat and walk. Standing must have been a hard enough concept, but carry that
which I have laid on for 38 years? Pick it up and walk? Imagine the thoughts
in his head, I stood, but that made me tired. Where are my friends to carry
me? But Jesus’ instructions were simple, stand, pick up your mat, and walk.
Instantly how strength and balance were his instantly. No learning to walk, no
training steps or walker, not even a cane-WALK! And he did!
And take your mat with you, and dump it. You will not need it any more.
No crutches, no exercises, get on with your life. But yet we have a desire to
look back, to want help lest we should stumble and fall. We have to cut
ourselves off from the past, and go on in Christ. Maybe lots of baby steps, but
walking with him. An expression of the change that Jesus makes in your life,
for all to see. He couldn’t walk, look at him running now. He was a bum, look
at his new job and career. He was a druggy, look at him now that he is clean.
And in every event with Jesus, people will see the difference in us. Miracles
that have happened, and how he changed us.
Yet sometimes we still want to be carried, to rest after our experience,
and get some glory. A simple doubt of “how can I make it now?” should remind us
that if he can save us, heal us, give us sight, or make us walk, he can continue
after to guide us. He never leaves us to go on our own. Lest we get bad
directions form well meaning people. We need to still trust God....and let all
others be liars. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the crowd, the
church, or even family or friends. What Jesus has done is extremely personal,
yet a testimony to be shared. It is important that we share how Jesus has
changed our lives. Today I am a miracle, and have the scar from open heart
surgery, and the files to prove it. I don’t look back, I look ahead. If he who
changed my heart can heal my body too, why look anywhere else? So why do
we?
It is like asking directions, except the directions Jesus gives are easy.
We just have to follow them. Notice he spoke but a few words, and the man
obeyed. It is possible you may have heard those few words, but didn’t act. You
wanted more, or different, and didn’t trust God. You may be at the same spot
for 38 years like the lame man, waiting and wanting. And then Jesus comes
along, and you start to obey, in trust. And the message of hope changes to one
of a miracle. And you wonder, why I hadn’t listened to what the man said years
ago? Sound familiar, God has amazing things for you today. He is speaking, are
you listening? Are you obeying? Do you want to? Well, do you want out of your
situation? Do you?
Jesus is the way, simple enough. He who can heal and guide you, is the
only one who can save your soul from destruction. And yet many who are saved,
that takes faith, don’t trust him with the other areas of their life. I cannot
tell you about the spiritual aspect of the lame man, all I can say is he was
lame and now walks. All because of Jesus. Only Jesus. Now isn’t he enough for
you?
And the happy ending is he picked up his mat and walked away. Stand with
Jesus, pick up your cross, and follow him today. I can only imagine the first
time he asked someone for directions to places he had never gone before, because
he couldn’t. “Say aren’t you the lame guy I grew up with 38 years ago?” All
because he listened to what the man said.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com