Sitting jammed into what they call economy seating, I was flying back to
San Diego after seeing my parents in Jersey for Thanksgiving. Bored and gored,
I had read all the seat back magazines, and the book I brought along. Done with
small talk, the kids were sleeping, I sat back and listened to a conversation in
the row in front of me. This loud voiced man-read that rude, was talking of his
first trip to California, and how he hated it. Too much sun, no traditional
Thanksgiving spirit, you had to drive everywhere as it is spread out too big,
the air was dirty, and on and on. Finally listening to his diatribe for too
long, the guy in the seat next to him asked him where he was from, “Newark,” he
proudly explained. “Where we know each other, we don’t need to leave the
neighborhood for anything, same families for generations living in the same
buildings, no car because we don’t need one, ride the bus or walk. We have real
food here, real Eye-talian food, none of this health slop.” And on he rambled,
with each new word proclaiming what an idiot he was, and how we all hoped he
stayed home. In Newark. My take on Newark in much different....and I lived
only 12 miles from there at the time.
The Wildman had a friend who needed a ride into Newark to get his paycheck,
they had forgot to mail it. It was the week before Thanksgiving, overcast and
chilly, but he agreed to ride on the back of my R90S. Getting off Rt. 22 onto
Frelinghuysen Avenue, the siren went on, the red lights lit up, and we were
pulled over. A Newark PD car, the 1974 vintage, the same year of the event.
Whose opening line was, “at 120 mph I would be running up your tailpipe.” Then
wrote me a ticket for speeding, and challenged me to a race. This guy was nuts,
any bet he knew the passenger spoken of above? But the ticket stated I had a
court date on December 24, at 8 pm. What kind of city has court on Christmas
Eve? So spending a week or two fretting about the date and time, I finally
called the court to reschedule. The woman answering the phone assured me I was
wrong, as court was closed that day-all day. She reluctantly looked up my
citation, no such number listed, and wanted to know what I was up to. After
convincing me I had no ticket, no court date, and a promise to myself to never
got to Newark again, it became evident I had been part of a prank by this cop.
If he even was one. And this was the Newark the passenger loved dearly? And it
all came flashing back to me, that guy didn’t drive. So he would never meet the
cop I did. My only hope is he never needed to call one, and never on Christmas
Eve, they’re closed. But something inside me really wanted to race that guy,
for to run up my exhaust at 120 he would first have to catch me. I’ll bet he
never thought of that....
Ever been stuck between a Newark and hard spot? Ask Father Abraham, who
was a traveler of some renown. Fleeing to Egypt in a panic, not told to by God,
disobedience, when we all panic, he was faced with many decisions. He chose to
settle between Bethel, which means “the house of God,” and Ai, which means
“ruin.” Stuck in the middle, not choosing either. Like too many Christians
today, stuck between Jesus and religion. Knowing what God says, but following
denominational practices. And like the lukewarm spit from the mouth of Jesus,
we make him sick. Showing we only stand for ourselves or what is convenient,
not taking a stand either way. The Greeks had a word, a name for people like
that, idiotes, where we get our word idiot. People who went with whatever was
current, riding the wave, but never making waves. Placed firmly in the middle,
lest they need to adjust their position. And like Abraham, fleeing on their
own, doing what seems right in the eyes of man, but denying the spirit of God
they tell is leading them. With no witness that they are any different than the
atheist in their reactions or choices. And you wonder why Jesus was
sick.....
But Abraham lived in a tent. He had no permanent home, he was always on
the move. Walking with God, as we are instructed to do. We are exhorted to
walk in the spirit, not sit in it. We are not supposed to sit on what we learn
today, but go on tomorrow growing in grace and his wisdom. We will make some
bad choices like Abraham supposedly did, but only to find out that God never
left us, and the detours we are taught about were really part of his plan, to
show his power when we had no power of our own over the situation. We love it
when we come to a place of rest and peace, telling God “I think I’ll settle
here, “ when he wants us to keep moving, keep growing, keep relying on him.
Remember Jesus had no place to call his home, no mortgage or rent. Imagine if
he had settled down in Jerusalem and only taught there? Or Newark? He spent
his time on the road, moving on and up, where he was led by his Father. Can we,
do we do the same thing?
God is always moving, always on the move. You will never outrun him, yet
he will never run up your pipes. As the great shepherd Jesus has made the way,
it is up to us to follow him. Our lives are a never ending journey, so much to
see and do, and a home in heaven to look forward to. Abraham, and Jesus both
knew of the place they called home, with no earthly address. No night court, no
practical jokes. No loud passengers bragging about how their home is better.
If you do not call heaven home, you are missing out on the joy of the great
promise of eternity. Life on earth is one of a journey, of continual progress,
growing closer to God. Let no religion get between you and Jesus, and rob you
of your joy. Home-there is no place like it, yet many choose Ai, and suffer.
Welcome to the house of the Lord, where we can have all God has for us, even
beyond our wildest dreams. Or we can fly back to Newark....
Many travel brochures are made to make destinations look appealing. Hell
is mentioned more than heaven in the Bible, and heaven cannot be described. For
eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind imagined the kingdom of God. But he
has given us his word,and by his spirit we can read it and learn. And find the
purpose of life and the strength to live it. Or you can never leave
home....making Mark Twain’s statement true. “If you have a reputation for being
an idiot, don’t open your mouth to prove it.” Especially on a crowded
plane....with one thought, it was 80 in Newark there yesterday, and only cloudy
and 66 here. Maybe I under estimate Newark, could people move there for the
weather? With one added bonus, all the toll bridges in New Jersey are free to
get in, you pay to leave. I wonder... May it ever be so humble...and why
Abraham was always on the move. On his way to it.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com