I always enjoy seeing someone whom I haven't seen for awhile. And you would think that after living in So Cal for 25 years, that most people I run into would know me from here. I'm not sure if it's too many miles, too many roads, too many churches, or too many addresses, but lately I meet people who know me, but I can't remember them. I used to try to not look stupid, but ended up worse off than I started, so now I just ask, "what do you ride or where do you go to church?" For my peer group and most of my acquaintances are found in both. And when they ride, I get excited. We may have meet at Mick's, or they remember me from being on a Press Bike. It may have been a ride, a Toy run, or even at a shop. But we have motorcycling in common. But what saddens me is when they admit they used to ride. And how it was a passion until they got married. Their new romance said "get rid of the bike," and they did, leaving a void that still has not been replaced. And somehow, I know when we meet again we won't chat, for our relationship has also been robbed. We have nothing in common anymore, and they leave bitter because of what used to be, and what now is.
But when they say we met at church, or a concert, or a rally, I get even more excited. Neat old memories of worshipping God together, and trusting Jesus with our lives. But even sadder is when they admit they haven't been in church in years. Life interfered with God, and between trying to stay married, raising kids, having a career, and making payments, an hour on Sunday just didn't fit in the schedule. So now they sit home, haven't read a Bible in years, and wonder what happened. Where did God go? The answer only found in a similar answer as to why the other friend stopped riding. They abandoned God, and riding-not the other way around. And we usually end the conversation sad, because now I too have also been robbed of a friendship because of their bad decisions. Truly sin is not an isolated event, it touches so many we never think it does. Shame on us, and our lives show it.
But it doesn't have to be that way. They still make motorcycles-faster, better braking, and better handling than ever before. We live in a golden age of motorcycling, name price and a type of bike, sign your name and ride off. Go back to your first love, take a long lunch, maybe swing by the shop on your way home. Convince the wife that the two of you riding will be the perfect thing your marriage needs, and go all the places your friends talk about-together. Have her sit on back, just to try it out, respect her as a passenger, and renew the vows with your first love.
God is still alive and well, and misses you. he never wanted you to leave, and is the only one who can put your life back in order-maybe to have time to ride. Ask a Christian friend what time their church has services, and go. Sunday mornings, and Wednesday, Sunday, and Saturday nights-no excuse not to find an hour on any one of these days. Enjoy a personal revival with Jesus, you can only revive something that was alive once, and enjoy the freedom in the spirit that has been missing in your life, marriage, and your career.
And don't stop there-next time we meet tell me all about your new rides, and how God is now again in your life. How your wife enjoys touring, and her friends are envious of her. Tell me about the new Bible study you are in, and how your kids love going to church, how your marriage is alive again because Jesus is in it again. God never left us or forsakes us, we turn away from Him. But He is always there to welcome us back, not to look back on what we've missed, but to look ahead to where we are going.
I guess the only left to say is, "welcome back my friend, welcome back..."
Whether riding or worshipping, we are so glad you could attend, come along, come along...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com