I have a dear friend named Joey. He used to drum for a weird-looking metal band in the 80s called Stryken. They were first called Stryker, but when Stryper blew up, they knew that -- even though they had the name with a "y" in it first -- they should take the "high road" and change their name to Stryken. Joey had a lot of fun entering radio contests. He would sing Bon Jovi songs and other such silliness over the air to win prizes. He called me up one day and asked me if I'd like to go to Vegas with him. He won airfare, hotels, and tickets for two to see Motley Crue and Faster Pussycat. Even though I was not a fan of either band (though Dr Feelgood was a solid album), I couldn't pass up a trip to Vegas. Besides, at this stage in my career, I think I was "doing" Heaven's Metal Magazine full-time and I had the luxury of going on an impromptu trip any old time I felt like... I wasn't making much money back then. My salary was a whopping $400 a month, all of which was pretty much spent on expenses. I took along $35 to have a good time in Vegas with my friend. We were stoked to eat $2.95 steaks at various casinos who advertised "loss leaders" like food to get you into their establishment to spend money on gambling. I tried my luck at the roulette wheel. At first I bet on red or black, then 1-12 or 24-36. Then I decided to place a dollar bet on a number. I think it was 33 and wham! I won. The odds where 1 in 36 to get a single number, so I just won $36. They placed a little crystal pyramid thing on top of the number to show everyone which number won or take a security picture or something. Being the Vegas novice that I was, I thought maybe I needed to take the winning crystal to a cash booth to get my money, so I leaned over the table and picked it up. The dealer gave me a look like he wanted to end my life, and immediately two security guards came out of nowhere to approach me. "You don't touch that!" I was told, and I quickly took my hands off it. That was weird. I left the table and played maybe one or two games of blackjack and one or two slot machines, keeping my winnings that paid for my whole trip. I didn't want to get in the trap of losing and trying to win back my losses, which could be an endless spiral into brokesville.
So, Donald Miller devotes the title of the fifteenth chapter to "Vegas." I think, 'This is going to be an interesting story.' It was, in its own way, because they went into a junk yard looking for a tiny part for their old VW van. They pay a dollar to go in and just look, but they are told that the two VW vans are gutted. They look in disbelief at the shells of two vans that have indeed been gutted. Don believes he could bench press the shell, it looked so light. They almost left, but decided to check anyway. And they actually both found the linkage connection piece they were looking for. They borrowed some tools to remove it and the guy at the junkyard shrugged and didn't even charge them for the small piece. This was a big event for two guys that had to drive 100-plus miles at 35 miles and hour (in second gear) to reach Vegas. They were flirting with being stranded in the desert with little to no money. It was like a major breakthrough and something to praise God over and be quite happy.
But it doesn't make for a very exciting Vegas story, does it?
One thing about this life that I do enjoy is taking joy in some of the simple things. Taking time out to thank God over problems solved and wonderful gifts, like a sunset or a "moment" with my family. Those are cool things that could just as easily be taken for granted and not paused over. While I don't find myself praying over finding a parking space close to the mall,** I do like to make whatever I'm going through a matter of "hanging out with God" type prayer. I don't always live this way, but I sure enjoy it when I remember to act like this.
**I probably never will pray for a parking place close to a mall entrance, thanks to the disgust of an old friend of mine named Robin. She was with some girls on a trip to Highland Mall and these Christians didn't want to walk far and the mall parking lot was crowded, so they prayed for a spot. My friend rolled her eyes when telling this story, as if to say, "See how superficial and materialistic these girls are?" While their attitudes towards materialistic things might have been out of skew (you think?), and maybe they could use some perspective on how people are infinitely more important than "things," they were also just inviting God and asking Him about something they were anxious about. The Bible does say to "be anxious for nothing..." and to "make your requests known to God..." so these girls were being obedient to that.
As they matured in life and in their faith, hopefully these girls would be less and less anxious about convenience and shopping and more anxious about people and their physical and spiritual health. They probably shouldn't be rebuked over praying for a parking space, but for possibly being more consumed with themselves than someone else. At times like that, it can be rewarding to give someone else (someone you beat to a choice spot) that friendly wave, telling them, "You take it. Merry Christmas!"
But still, maybe this chapter should've been called "Junkyard Miracle" or "The Odds Against Us," instead of an inticing title like "Vegas." Oh well...
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at November 28, 2006 11:42 AM