For the first 17 years of my life, my main view of driving came from the
back seat of my parents succession of Ramblers. Looking out the windshield
between them, or mostly looking out of the side window, it was all about to
change when I got my driver’s license. My parents never drove very far, the
longest trip was to my grandparents some 60 miles away, mostly on Route 22. I
never knew if it was east or west or north or south, when we got to it we turned
left, good enough for me. And so Route 22 was the focal point of my travels
early on. Amost memorizing the Jersey stretch after years of boredom. Route 22
was America, or maybe all that was wrong with America, from the Flagship, an old
night club that looked like a battleship, to the Leaning Tower of Pizza diner,
with a real leaning tower out front, it was also home to Two Guys, a discount
Jersey chin of department stores, Korvettes who took its place, and the first
shopping centers. Going toward Pennsylvania, west, you passed HoJo’s, Eber’s,
various old tourist cottages and motels, and many stop lights, this was also
like an old surface street as we would call it today. Pass the Texas Weiners,
the numerous diners, a Jersey staple, and finally giving way to farmland, all
within 35 miles. Farm stands selling corn and dairy products, and into Clinton
where the women’s prison was, something tough to figure, weren’t all women like
our mothers or teachers? How could a woman be bad? Down Jugtown Mountain, into
Phillipsburg, or Pburg to the locals, a hamburger, french fries and a Coke at
the Key Diner, across the bridge and you are in Pennsy. And Route 22 continues,
all the way into Columbus, Ohio....
But once I had my license, I was on my way out of town, of course on the
road I knew best. Stopping at the places my parents passed by, eating a Texas
weiner, a kosher hot dog sold by a Greek owner, eating 15 cent burgers at Steer
Inn, and passing the only place they did stop, Ho JO’s for dinner on Friday
night, for fried clams. I checked out Great Eastern Mills, the antidote for
Korvettes and the best place to buy 8 tracks, and cruised carefree at 60 miles
per hour, in 45 zones in heavy traffic. Such was Jersey in the sixties....But
reaching Pburg it was always a stop at the Key Diner, where we would meet my
Grandpa, but never the Turnabout just down the road. But always a stop at Jim’s
Doggie Stand, move over Texas Weiner! With so many memories of the road and the
places and the faces...seen entirely different from behind the wheel than from
behind the front seat.
An old friend of mine and I were talking about safe Christians the other
day, the pew fillers who do nothing else but support whatever the church says,
and confuse Jesus with the church. Many times slaves to whatever the pastor
says, and developing a religion mirroring scripture, but denying Jesus. They
spend their entire Christian lives like I did when riding in the back seat of
the Rambler, just seeing what I was supposed to see per the driver, and any
suggestions or comments dismissed or ignored. As reflected in their prayer
life. And a cursory interpretation of the gospel. Staunch believers, but like
Agent 99 used to say, “missed by that much.” Their Bibles are found clean
except for a few pages highlighted, and are known by reading the weekly
Christian book advised by their pastor. A life of legalism, void of the spirit,
with no tolerance for the truth, only what they were taught. But not always how
they lived. And when trouble comes, they are tossed about like the waves, going
wherever the waves or wind takes them, with a pastoral staff unequipped or
unwilling to help. Seems they still spend too much time in the back seat
also....on Route 22.
It has been said our true character shows when we are alone and facing
danger. Two weeks ago today a man and wife we know faced calamity. He
professing to be a Christian, raped and murdered three women, and shot one in
the head, raping the third while she bled to death next to him. The details are
unclear, but for two days he stayed home, his wife not knowing her husband was
the killer, until the house was raided and the police arrested her, thinking she
had to know. For 12 hours facing their wrath, discovering her husband not the
man she thought she knew, and being grilled mercilessly. I cannot imagine her
emotions, or state of mind, but after 12 hours was released as she was
innocent. She had faced her trial by fire, promoted from a back seat to being
in the front seat, and the scriptures now have a new meaning to her. Suffering
from PTSD she now can see the suffering of Jesus in a new way, but also his
mercy. When faced with danger, she clung to Jesus, although she was screaming
for her husband when she was abducted at 5 am. Why didn’t he answer? Now she
knows....and the critics are lining up advising as to what she should have
done. “I would have...” as if you know what you would do given the situation.
She has received obscene phone calls and death threats....gaining an insight as
to how Jesus felt when wrongly accused. Only the truth of knowing her set her
free.
You see when I finally got out and drove by myself, I saw the world
differently. So it is with Jesus. When we follow him instead of a
denomination, a pastor, a writer or a teaching, we know the truth. He is
familiar, and we know where to turn, just as Jesus turned to his father. Until
Jesus becomes real on your life, you will never experience the depth of the
scriptures, the comfort of the holy spirit, and know his peace. You may work in
the church, volunteer, and be known as a Christian, but until scripture becomes
more than the rote answer, until it is spirit driven, you may be saved but miss
out of the on earth as it is heaven part of Jesus. You may have every answer
until you find you haven’t heard every question. You may pray beautifully out
loud, feed the hungry, and give to missions, but until Jesus is Lord of your
life, you are wide open to whatever may come your way. That higher power is not
always Godly as one group claims. Only Jesus can solve the biggest problem of
man, sin. Religion may suggest, Jesus knows first hand. And for those of us
who have had our character tested in times of great stress, we know only Jesus
is the way, only he can rescue. Your church, your beliefs, your religion may
not guarantee your name in the book of life. God keeps notes on us, read
Malachi, not because he forgets, but so we have an album to look back on.
Remember this Mike...” as I spend time with him. Funny how the toughest times
are the ones we look back on fondly and see how Jesus worked it all out.
Beware, your time of testing may be coming, that 5 am wake up call when least
expected. And you will be tested....
The first lessons you get when saved will shape your walk just as the first
roads you drive will shape where you go. When children we were taught as
children, and acted like children, fed the milk of the gospel. Now as adults we
need the solid food, the spirit, to nourish us. That morning our friend’s life
changed forever, but she still has a forever to look forward to. She will get
by, but only in Christ. I know having been there and tested. Which can be
summed up in one sentence, “all I know is Jesus.” If God is only your co-pilot,
you are better off in the back seat. That’s not lordship, only with Jesus
behind the wheel will you be assured of getting to where you are going. Unless
Jesus is the lead dog, your views will never change....so glad I wasn’t born a
Rambler man.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25bikr.blogspot.com