When asked, "what do you do when you enter a curve too fast?" Kenny Roberts, racer extraordinaire responded, "just keep leanin' man, keep leanin." Great advice, as he should know, but how many of us don't lean in corners, but try to take a line that ends in disaster? I rode a few times with this guy, he was into Harleys for the lifestyle, and was rather a joke because he never learned to ride. Riding with him and Christopher one day-I had a Speed triple, I let him ride it, while I struggled on his bike with twice the weight and half the power. In the curves, he hung off the bike, like he was hanging off of monkey bars, somehow keeping the bike fully upright. Christopher pulled up next to me, and you could see the laughter despite our full face helmets, and fell back laughing. Our oblivious friend later mentioned how fast he was going, and the thrill of leaning. We said nothing, as the old adage tells us there are two things you never criticize about any man, his love making ability and his riding, and not necessarily in that order. I just never let him ride any of my bikes again, and never rode with him again. For my own good. Wonder what Kenny would have thought?
On the fifth anniversary of 9-11, we are gathered in the parking lot at the flight 93 Memorial Chapel in Shanksville, where Father Al introduced me to Judge Art Cook. It is raining, as it always does on 9-11, the locals say it is God shedding tears. As we go into the chapel, the Judge speaks and then at 10:06, we do a bell ringing ceremony-40 bells for 40 heroes. And it's just like God to have 40 people for 40 names that morning, so we all get to participate. The Judge is sitting to my right in the front row, and when the ceremony begins, leans over to me and says "I always have a tough time when they read the names." I had my arm on the back of his chair, and I instinctively embraced him, and he snuggled into my embrace. I was able to comfort him, and for this precious moment, remembered what Jesus meant when He said lean on me, give me your burdens for my yoke is easy, and my burden light. Just two new friends, one consoling the other, in memory of 40 heroes who leaned on each other that September morning. Their leaning on God changing the history of the US of A, they are true heroes. And a great example of leaning on Jesus. Just keep leanin' man, keep leanin.
Sadly I have also seen what happens when you enter a corner too fast and don't lean. I have watched, or responded as they slam on the rear brake, causing themselves to skid or swerve, and ultimately going down. Taking a situation where there was no problem, and panicking in the situation, and going down. When if only they had leaned into the turn they would have been fine, and had fun-motorcycles are the reason God invented turns. So you can lean into them, and why God also allows certain situations to occur in life-so you can lean on Jesus.
So the song "Learning to Lean on Jesus" has a special meaning to me. And every time I ride, I get to lean. But every day I also need to lean on Jesus. To be guided by His love, and to walk in His spirit, for so many times I can't see through the curves, but He does. He knows the traffic ahead, and how best to get through it. So I keep leaning on Him, and look forward to the curves. And when I encounter them in life, I take Kenny's advice, "Keep leanin'man, keep leanin'." A lesson any good rider knows, originated with God over 2000 years ago. And you can tell those who walk with Christ, just like you can the faster riders, all of their tire is worn. And it only gets that way by leaning. Whether on the track of life, or on 9-11, or everyday, "just keep leanin' on Jesus man, just keep leaning'."
love with compassion,
Mike
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