Durango 40 years ago was not the tourist trap it is today. Small town USA,
with a local t-shirt that said “Durango is what America was.” That was soon to
be replaced by a new one, based on the sign on Smelter Mountain, “DURANGLO,
COLORADIATION.” Things were moving fast, as the tailings pile that had greeted
you from the west was found too radioactive, and had to be removed. Soon
Highway 550 would be rerouted going through Bodo Park, and many old buildings
that had stood 100 years would be torn down and replaced with new ones that
looked like Disneyland. But two things remained constant, at least for the
moment, the train and the La Plata County Fair. With the fairgrounds
conveniently placed on Main Ave. north of 25th street, walking distance form
downtown. It would be my first fair, I never got to go, but it was a lesson
based on the cultures in the area. I was working the Saturday shift at La Plata
Motors, the Ford store, I was the assistant service manager. Not much work got
done on Saturdays, mostly broken down Texans who had their car tuned to the
altitude, and guys bringing in their own cars to work on. Still a busy place,
with lots of traffic walking by, and our doors open. When an older Indian with
a young kid came in, and asked to use the rest room. Looking at one of the
mechanics, who shook his head no, and said “no way,” I informed him they were
closed. But he persisted, and finally feeling sorry for him, or the kid, I let
him use it. Watching close as I had been warned. And I was about to find out
why...
15 minutes, then 20, then 30, and he didn’t come out. “Now you see why we
told him no,” and I was faced with evicting him. I beat on the door with no
response, and finally we took the hinges off the door, and he was just sitting
there. Without a word, he got up and left. And I was the butt, no pun intended
of the joke for a week or so. No one knows why they do that, my Southern Ute
friends laughed when I asked, but to this day, any time anyone asks to use the
rest room, I keep an eye on the door, and the clock. You can come in, but you
cannot use the bathroom!
One day when discussing the people who judge us most harshly, a homeless
women jumped on me, figuratively. “You’re judgmental, and Christians shouldn’t
judge.” Her statement more telling than she thought, first she was judging me,
second if her words were true, she wasn’t a Christian, by her own definition.
But my reply is simple, “lady I was describing you.” And she left, and later
would join our Bible studies, known for falling asleep in the front row. Which
made a couple upset of “how could she do that , how rude?” With the homeless
women within ear range, I told them, “I take it as a compliment she feels safe
enough her to find a few minutes of rest.” The couple before leaving told me
they had learned a lesson as well that day...but what does the Bible say about
judgment? From judgment day to judging others, over 121 times in the NIV. So
sit tight, lest ye fall asleep and someone judges you. And no, you cannot use
the bathroom.
The first time it is mentioned is in Exodus, where God says his judgment
will free them from slavery. 1 Samuel tells us we are blessed when we use good
judgment. While Psalm 1 exhorts us not to stand in the judgment, nor with
sinners in the assembly. Later in Psalm 119 it is written “Lord teach me good
judgment.” Yet Isaiah tells us that he will exercise judgment and many will
meet their fate with the sword. Jeremiah says “he will pass judgment on those
who say they never sinned.” While Matthew tells us “we will have to give an
account of every word we have spoken.” Seems judgment takes on many facets in
scripture, to us it just means being nasty. Yet one day we will all stand
before a judgment seat, and what will be your fate?
When Paul stood before Felix, he told him about the judgment to come, and
Felix told him to go, “I’ll call for you when it is more convenient.” How often
we react the same way when caught in sin. “I’m saved, leave me alone. don’t be
judgmental,” as our sin finds us out. Note that it is our sin that finds us
out, not Jesus. He doesn’t condemn nor accuse, that is the devil’s handiwork.
Jesus came to save, so that on the day of judgment before God, we are found not
guilty and sin free, because Jesus took our place. Today is the day of
salvation for many, sadly also the day of judgment for others to whom the gospel
was inconvenient. God’s justice will be based on truth, and when faced with our
sin that day, will know why we are guilty. But you don’t have to face that day
in fear, if you face up to the fact of you being a sinner, repent and accept
Jesus’ forgiveness. We will be shown because mercy triumphs over judgment, in
Christ. Don’t dare think you are the one who can escape, for even the angels
who rebelled against God will face judgment, forever in the lake of fire and
brimstone. But we can have confidence if we are like Jesus in this world,
making his love complete. Loving him first, than loving your neighbor as
yourself. No man loves himself if in shame and facing judgment, only when
forgiven can we truly love ourself and others.
So fear God, respect and revere him, and worship him who has made you
holy. Worship the one who died on the cross for our sins so we will not be
found guilty when judged, and worship the spirit that led us to the truth and
guides us today. We are told we will rejoice in the heavens, but we can now.
Worship him and the one who sits at his right hand, who called the heavens, the
earth, and all creation into existence. Jesus is God, and if he can create a
world and a heaven for us, don’t you think he can sustain us here on earth
today?
The train still runs in Durango, La Plata Motors and the Fairgrounds are
both gone. They met their judgment and were removed. And you....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com