Many nights during my high school years were spent hanging out at Bart’s
Gulf station. It was where my friend Jimmy was night manager, and after Bart
went home we showed up. Open until 10, and located along Route 22, it was very
busy, but with numerous volunteer pump jockees, we all had time to work on our
cars, listen to the older guys about racing, girls, partying and girls, and
learn about life that our parents hadn’t told us about except in a warning to
stay away from people like this. It was where many of us saw the underside of a
car for the first time, where we changed our own oil. Where we learned to fix
flats, and marvel at the hot rods of the day. Friday nights brought in the gear
heads for a final inspection on the rack, then off to prove their manhood on the
street. It was where intellectual discussions of what is the best gas for a
high compression engine? Does Esso really leave green stuff in your carb? Are
you being ripped of by Sunoco’s Dial-a-Blend at the pump, is it all just
connected to the same tank? How good is Good Gulf, and does it give an extra
kick? A time for many of check the gas and fill the oil, that delicate time
where we were still kids, but could act immature like adults for a few hours.
Where many illegal activities went on, noticed but unnoticed, because it was
part of growing up. It was many adventures that I cannot talk about here, but
that influenced my life. For the better. And it was also a place that rented U
Haul trucks and trailers....
Now anyone foolish enough to spend time voluntarily in New Jersey knows the
fall and winter weather is brutal. In summer when it’s not the heat it’s the
humidity, in winter it is the cold, and the dry winds. But Bart also rented
trucks and trailers for U Haul, which provided us protection from the weather
after hours, privacy with dates, and a place to sleep over when our parents
thought we were at a friend’s house. Wrapped in moving blankets, two or three
of us would occasionally sleep in a trailer, which came to a screeching halt
after one such episode. At least for me, the next generation would have to find
out for themselves.
After too much party, too much cold air, and too little sleep, Brains and I
woke up finding ourselves bouncing down the road inside the trailer. Scared at
first, until remembering big boys don’t cry, we realized where we were, inside a
dark tomb moving at high speeds, you could just feel it. But we knew at the
first time they stopped, we would jump out, because we always left the doors
unlocked, we did didn’t we Brains? And so we stopped, and pushed open the
doors, only they didn’t. Mr. Trailer Rental had locked them before taking off,
we were locked in! And not knowing where we were going, or when we would get
out. Visions of the Jersey Strangler raced through our minds, and we had to
make a plan...what to do? Would anyone miss us and come to look for us? Would
Jimmy have to admit he let us sleep in the trailers so the police could come to
our aid? But as we were thinking out loud, we stopped. And Brains started
banging on the sides, then so did I. And in a few seconds, the doors opened and
daylight flooded in. And we jumped out and ran past the man who had opened
them. Probably as surprised as we were, we never looked back as he yelled “hey
kids, come back here!” And we kept on running.
It turned out we were in an area we knew, and it was about 6am, so we
walked over cold and shaken to the Satellite Diner, where two policemen were
sitting having breakfast. We knew for sure they knew what had happened, and
some New Jersey law would incarcerate us until we were 21. So we did the only
thing we could, we went to the bathroom, and climbed out the window to safety,
and walked the two miles back to the station. And then home. Hungry, tired,
scared, and shaken, no one knew of our ride except the two of us. And how much
different it would be when we shared it the next night with the guys at Bart’s.
We were an urban legend that had come to life, we were famous, if only anyone
would believe us. But one thing was for sure, Bart never found out, Jimmy kept
his job, and no one ever slept in a trailer again. We all had learned a lesson,
still not sure to this day what, but as many lessons are available, the fact is,
we never did it again. Ever.
It has been said that you cannot teach experience, I firmly believe it.
But you can learn from other people’s experience, up to a point. Today a battle
still rages between the head and the heart, what we know to be true, but what we
want to do anyway. This 18” battle is not new, but exists on a level many don’t
ever come to face. Today we have the greatest number of Christians in the
history of the world, the most knowledgeable, and the most educated. They attend
more Bible studies, listen to more teachings,and take more notes, but the bulk
of their Christian experience is church. They never apply the education, it
stops there. When asked about your Christian experience, is it more than church
based? Does the application of your education show in everyday life? Do we
know the truth, are we truly set free by it, quoting what we are taught or
memorized, or is it a truth that is in action, moving and changing lives as it
goes? Do you know the scripture, but not the application? Do you ask What
Would Jesus Do? He wouldn’t get locked in a trailer. If saved, do you really
need to ask?
The author of Hebrews warns of a love not acted upon, and how our hearts
become hardened. Not solid yet, but like a Slurpee, either melting quickly or
getting harder every day when stuck in the freezer for later, where we don’t
notice it. It shows up in statements like “I wish we could believe like the
first century church.” No you don’t, they didn’t have the New Testament yet for
you to memorize. It shows up when groups get together to figure out which
spiritual gift you have, then choosing, forgetting it is not a gift if you ask
for it, and that it is from the spirit. And that if you have been healed,
invited someone into your home, taught or organized anything for God, you have
received that spirit. If only we could visit Jerusalem and walk where Jesus
walked, I could become more spiritual, I could perform miracles, and see people
changed. Yet they are locked in the trailer like we were, not sure of where
they are or where they are going. If only I had more faith, so they go study
more, gain more knowledge, and don’t get to know Jesus, although they know all
about him.
When Jesus was crucified, where would you have been that day? Did
knowledge, any spiritual gifts, any more time in church bring more to the
cross? Only a few responded, drawn by their love to Jesus, because of his love
to them. The greatest act of love and forgiveness, yet we overlook it as we
study. As we love, or think we do. For these few that day had been won not by
his miracles, but by his words. In action. Then lived them. Like many of us
we don’t know have all the understanding, we just know Jesus. We haven’t been
to Israel, but have fed the people tripped over on the way. When his spirit is
within you, you are changed, and soon the words of Matthew 25 become part of who
you are. Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, visit the sick, don’t
forget those in prison,and welcome the stranger. If you don’t Jesus declares he
never knew you. Your big buildings, programs, studies, trips,and special guests
mean nothing if you neglect to show the love of Christ. Showing love is
operating in the spirit,and these things shall follow them that believe. Look
behind you, what do you see?
Jesus Christ is truth, and when acted upon we will see the miracles, lives
changed, and blessings abundantly. Yet many spend time like we did locked in a
trailer. Jesus is knocking at the door, let him in, better yet let him let you
out of sin and into heaven. Smart people don’t go to heaven, saved ones do.
Smart ones walk in the spirit,and when asked how do they know if they are in the
spirit, I can say “I know when I’m not.” Truth changes things, live it today.
If not your heart can slowly become so cold you don’t know it. Dr. Walinsky
once told me he could keep me functioning, but he couldn’t keep me alive. Jesus
is life....and that’s the truth. He’s more than an urban legend, find out
today. Remember, if the people didn’t believe the Old Testament, what makes you
think they will accept the new?
It took the resurrection for the disciples to see who Jesus was....what
will it take for you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com