I love touring through the south, the people, their easy going nature, the
BBQ and sweet tea, and the slower pace of life. But my first trip to the
south, really to Florida, was where I saw my first hint of racism, a big deal
after growing up 12 miles from Newark where we had seen the riots in 1967. But
it wasn’t a black and white situation, it was some good old boys Savannah cops
that showed it. BH and I were on our way to Ft. Lauderdale, and I-95 was not
completed, you took US or 301 for most of it. But when entering into Georgia,
you took I-16 to intersect with with a completed part of 95, and with no signs,
and being in a strange area in the dark, we got lost. Stopping at a diner, the
old railroad car style that were once popular, we talked with two local police
about directions, which they readily gave. So simple we couldn’t get lost, and
we didn’t, but we didn’t find I-95 either. In these post Easy Rider days, long
hair and motorcycles were still a bit taboo to many law enforcement officers,
and with our New Jersey plates, and our two wheeled ride, they directed us into
a ghetto area, a very bad ghetto area. It reminded me of one night getting lost
in Philly, except this was on purpose. And we ended up down a dead end, rocks
thrown, taunted and yelled at, and somehow we managed to escape and find our
way. We had been a source of entertainment and prejudice that night, and 30
years later when going to Savannah, which I love, I still kept my eyes open, and
made it a point to know just where I was going. A far cry today from the south
of back then, today we are accepted, and welcomed, 40 years ago it was a
different story. Like the header for Easy Rider, two men had set out to find
America and they couldn’t find it anywhere. At least not what we were looking
for.
We don’t like troubles, and rather seek comfort from them. That night we
were scared, lost, and couldn’t trust anyone. Unsaved, I just thought it was
bad luck, now I know different. Walking with Christ has taught me how to react
when trouble comes, and walking with him has taught me to trust. While some
find comfort in drinking, I find my comfort in Jesus. Still a life full of
troubles, but also the comfort that goes with them. Hopefully my reactions show
more of Jesus than my actions that may have got me in trouble, but seeking
comfort from him, not from a bottle, ill, or other drug. You can mask the
symptom, that doesn’t solve the problem.
2 Corinthians tells us God will comfort us from all our troubles. Think of
he daily stresses we endure, some self inflicted, some not, and the cures we
seek. Some worry, then get bummed out, then depressed, then give up altogether,
blaming God for not answering. He always does, they just don’t like the answer,
so continue to pray, really directing God, or at least trying to get him to do
it their way. Small problems become big, big ones become bigger, and the
biggest turn catastrophic. Over the years I have made it a habit to listen when
people publicly pray and can tell where they are in Christ. How they pray, how
they react, and where Jesus is in their lives. They miss the comfort God
promises, the strength found in a personal relationship, and you can tell how
deep they are or aren’t. Also about their teaching and find they are no better
off than those who are lost and ask in vain. “Rescue us, deliver us, make it go
away,” they cry out, only to find God doesn’t take us around, but through,
leading like the good shepherd he is. Also finding if they let him lead they
may not be in the trouble they are now. And when God doesn’t instantly change
their situation, they get mad, angry, depressed, blame god verbally, and abandon
him altogether. That is not Christianity in action, that is selfishness,
vanity, and sin.
We were foolish to try and find our way in the dark, true we were given bad
advice, but if we had studied a map before we would have avoided the trouble.
Says a lot about the lives of many, bad choices turning into bad situations, a
life without God. God is not a wonder drug that makes all the pain go away, but
loves us and takes us through the trouble, comforting us, strengthening us, and
drawing us closer to him. Showing compassion. Telling us that when we are
weak, he is strong, and made perfect in our weakness. He is able in all
situations, we aren’t. The Apostle Paul should know, we should too. When we
trust God in our troubles, we have a testimony to share with others, and can
help them get through it. Our testimony of Jesus in action can encourage and
guide those in need, giving them comfort to trust God, instead of bailing on
life altogether. The world doesn’t have Jesus, we do, so why act like they do?
Or are you just playing church until trouble strikes? Are you following bad
doctrine, teaching, and denying Jesus altogether? God is able to comfort us in
all troubles, ALL! A bottle of Southern Comfort may help you forget, it doesn’t
solve anything. The comfort we seek and need can only come via the holy spirit,
and gives peace and joy. With no after effect of a hangover the next day, where
the problem still exists. We found no southern comfort that night, I do now in
Jesus. Quit searching scripture for an excuse for your sin, get real with
Jesus. Turn to him, repent and listen, then follow. His directions can be
trusted. We are all not so easy riders in life, we can find comfort in Christ.
So we can comfort others. Try Jesus today, then pass him on, not up. Seek good
teaching, ask questions, pray and listen for God’s response, then do it. Though
we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil. Just a
shadow can cause fear. We can rise above it in the light of Christ.
You can either learn from life’s lessons and hope to make it, or learn from
Jesus and be victorious. Knowing Jesus will not absolve you of trouble, but
will allow you to find comfort in it. Listen to your own prayers, where is
Jesus in them? Then listen, the most important part of prayer, for why ask if
you do not want an answer? Your prayers will tell a lot about who you trust,
and who Jesus is in your life. All things, not just the good, work together for
those who love the Lord and are called to his purpose. His purpose, knowing
Jesus. The spirit is calling, the flesh may answer. Only Jesus
saves....southern comfort like northern and eastern and western comes from the
spirit, not from a bottle. Circa 1974 or today, Jesus is still the answer.
Just remember, I don’t have an accent, y’all do. Now what is your question?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com