god

A Radio Moment Brings a Flood of Memories

Jamie Sue and I were on the road this morning, listening to oldies, and driving home in my favorite car after a Saturday night spent out of town.

Riders on the Storm by The Doors came on, and a flood of memories came in.

During my senior year of high school (1974) I managed our school’s radio station and most mornings hosted a radio show that was piped through the school’s speaker system in the hallways.

I always loved playing Riders on the Storm. The song’s introduction (minus the stormy sound effects) is 29 seconds. I mention this because as a DJ I had that exact amount of time to talk prior to the lyrics beginning. In the radio world we call this portion of a song “the walk-up.” So once the music began, I might say,

“Brian Sussman, WGBS, on a Friday morning.  Weather forecast today calls for more rain and a high of 63 degrees. Better weather this weekend with sunny skies and temperatures getting into the seventies. Don’t forget the baseball games tomorrow at home against Deerfield. Go Glenbrook South Titans. Right now, this is The Doors. Riders on the Storm.”

As we were driving and listening, I was thinking, what if God, or maybe an angel, were to do a guest walk up to that song back in 1974?

“Stormy day today, but the future looks bright for your DJ. In a few months he’ll meet his beautiful future bride. They’ll get married in four years, have an awesome daughter and three solid sons, and eventually seven grandchildren. Brian and his wife will hear this song in 2025 while driving and he’ll be hit with a flood of memories and teary eyes as he reaches over to hold her hand. Now, The Doors.”

The point of the story?

No matter what life has dealt you, scan your memory’s horizon to find those moments that have made a difference, and give thanks to God. Life is so short.

The Next Exit

Despite the fact I’ve been a follower of Jesus for decades, I continue to make monumental mistakes, dumb decisions, and chump choices.

I know the way, I know the truth, and I know the Author of Life. Yet I often stumble, and occasionally fall.

The question is, why? Especially after all these years.

The answer is because I’m often hesitant to stand on solid ground. Indeed, the Bible is replete with many admonitions to stand against temptations of many sorts. That includes the temptation to simply do things my way.

The ancient Old Testament book of Jeremiah exhorts us to stand, stating, This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

It’s interesting because, as every athlete knows, one’s stance is everything.

In the New Testament, Jesus provides us a description on how to stand, saying, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Saint Paul elaborates on the concept of standing firm: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

Later, Paul says it like this: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

The takeaway is straightforward. I need to stand, and stand firm. Such a stance empowers us to take the proper exit along life’s highway.