The Wrong Place, the Wrong Time
Posted on Jul 22, 2021 by Rob Garza
I was at the wrong place at the wrong time. We’ve all heard that phrase when we were growing up, or we would hear from our parents, “If you hang around trouble, you’re going to get into trouble.” Well, I heard both plenty of times. I know my younger brother heard it more than I did, and that didn’t seem to bother him. He still hung around trouble. I’m not sure why; was it more fun?
In 2 Samuel 11:1-15 and John 6:1-21, one is way different than the other, but I feel we can relate to both of them in a way, though David made some really bad choices. For me growing up it was watching how my twin brother was getting in trouble next. I would ask him about all of the times he got in trouble and he would say he doesn't know, “It was something to do.” Friends had a lot to do with it.
Peer pressure back then was different than now, but it’s still the same outcome: someone was going to get in trouble. For me, back then, I knew what not to do. We all still make mistakes or do something and regret it later. It’s part of who we are, but it’s also learning from those mistakes you made and not doing it again seems to be the issue with us all. Some we remember not to do, but temptation is always there.
In John, Jesus avoided trouble altogether. Through his many journeys he helped as many people as he could, making wine from water, multiplying bread for thousands; Jesus loved to help. David spoke of all of the places he did help, but in remote places, though he helped in large cities, don’t get me wrong, It was when the crowds would get violent to want to make him king, that’s when Jesus would move himself to smaller places, to prevent violence, yet he still affected thousands.
I enjoy helping people in need; it’s what I enjoy doing. But I am by far not Jesus. I’ve been volunteering for a good portion of my life, from when I raced, community events, schools, fundraisers, businesses, and church.
These past couple of years I’ve been helping at HopeBUILDERS. We build ramps for disabled families in need and veterans. A team of volunteers would go to a worksite and build ramps. Some projects would take a few hours, and some would take most of my day. I enjoy helping because I'm learning new skills, but seeing the expression of the families we help is so heartwarming and emotional. These ramps that we build not only help that family to be more mobile, but they help the whole family and those who visit, so it affects many.
The little things we do to help others can affect so many.
Rob Garza
Salem Custodian and Digital Print Consultant at MEDiAHEAD