We love being on the road, and unlike years ago when you took your chances
and made a reservation, today we have on line reviews and Tripadvisor. Which
can be a great tool in the right hands of a traveler, and which I am a reviewer
on. With over 400 reviews, from coast to coast, I use it enough to see through
the complaints and the compliments, and see what reality is. You may have had
the best meal of your life, but if you have to wait for the check, some will
condemn the whole meal because of it. A five star rating at an Econolodge is
not necessarily better than a three star at a Hampton Inn. I only read the
recent reviews, as changes in personnel, managers, and renovation are common.
So you learn to read many reviews, not just the title of the review, to get at
the problem. Or praise. I haven’t been burned yet, but I have come close. We
al have our own personal rating systems....
I was reminded today of the simple mindedness of some, getting a question
via TA about a place I stayed years ago. “Do they accept pets?” Why ask me,
call the motel or go online to their site. I think you get the point, there is
a picture of my motorcycle, what makes you think I carry pets with me, and why
wait for an answer you may not receive, when you are on a computer anyway and
can access the motel? Duh? I tend to be honest in my reviews, describing highs
and lows, and mentioning if it is biker friendly. It can be a plus or a minus,
some of us like to sleep, while others party on. Too many subjective and not
enough objective reviews. You either trust the review or your own judgment, the
internet is its own animal. Any questions, refer to Facebook people, or in my
case, DON’T! What you are looking for is facts, not just opinions. But
probably the most despicable and dishonest are those that pay for self created
reviews. I read an ad lately for a web page, which for $99 they would include
up to 25 favorable reviews for your business, fabricated, even though they had
never used it or seen it. So beware, and don’t let opinions become a burden to
you. They are like Hondas used to be, everyone has one, and used ones aren’t
worth the trade in value many times. Seek the truth, it will still set you
free. And I have accumulated some free rooms over time. Some worth every
penny, some not.
If you were reviewing Christianity, what would your review emphasize?
Would it be true, a testimony, maybe only what you have learned, but not
experienced, or would you make Jesus out to be a genie in a lamp, granting your
every wish? I have encountered all the above, and even more, but like travel
reviews, it is best to go to the man himself, and read what he has to say.
Jesus is quoted many times, too many out of context, but how often do we offer
him as a suffering servant, and that if you believe you will suffer too? There
is bad religion, fortunately there is no bad Jesus. Only good advice, not based
on reviews, but because he has been there and done that. So do you trust the
internet or Jesus? Your lifestyle may not reflect your answer, be careful how
you answer. Other’s decisions may depend on it.
A review of the Last Supper may read different than the events in Jesus’
life after. Do this in remembrance of me, and how the memories were about to
change. We are told his soul was exceedingly sad unto death, his loneliness,
his disappointment with his disciples, his bloody sweat, the betrayer’s kiss,
the binding, the blow to the face, the spitting, the scourging, the buffeting,
the mocking, the crown of thorns, the smiting, and the heavy weight of the cross
he had to bear. He was exhausted, stripped of his garments, impaled after
beating, his foes jeering, and his friends deserting him. The final darkness,
crying out to his Father, “where art thou?” and finally “it is finished.” Who
else other than Jesus can relate to your situation? Who else other than Jesus
knows your pain? What other review do you need other than his? Funny how God
never asks you for your opinion, but confronts you with the truth. Where do you
go for advice? Rather, who?
Jesus was tempted in all things, yet never sinned. Yet we tend to seek
advice that works best for us, bypassing any pain. We want the cheapest,
easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to live, a four star life at a one
star price. If you were to give a review of Jesus in your life, how many stars
would it be? And how many would you give him? He has seen our infirmities,
bore our sin, and paid the price. Do your choices reflect that? Does your life
reflect him?
What you look for in life will reflect what you get. I want all I can get
from Jesus, I don’t want to miss any blessing, and God doesn’t want me to. Do
you believe that? Maybe it is time to get familiar with the person of Jesus,
rather than just his teachings. Just a Sunday service or two. Maybe you fellow
travelers need to consider this. Sojourners we are called. Where was Jesus
born? How did he enter Jerusalem? Where did Saul get converted? Where did he
eunuch meet Philip? Where did the two men meet a stranger and their hearts
burned within? Where did God walk with Adam and Eve? If you said the road, you
are right on all. Life is a journey, take Jesus along. Better yet, go with
him. Life on the road, that’s where you will find Jesus. I hope you find him
there too. For the rest of you, there’s the internet. Can you right click and
find salvation in it? Just one man’s opinion, glad mine is based on the truth
of who Jesus is. How do you rate Jesus? How would he rate you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com