Friday, May 4, 2012

let your right hand decide




From the teaching an old dog new tricks file comes this personal note. Yesterday, for the first time anywhere, on any road, I used the cruise control on a motorcycle. Now before you think I really lost it, it wasn't on a Gold Wing, or an Ultra Glide. The next two weeks I'm riding a 2012 Triumph Explorer, their answer to the big BMW GS series. Incredible motor-this sucker is quick, and has many electronic enhancements that I normally wouldn't care for. In fact it has so many new items and buttons, I took home the owners manual and read it-just so I could figure out how to get the odometer mileage to show up on the speedometer. Which now is called an info center. An i-pod on two wheels, thankfully no texting feature. I can tell how fast, how far, how much fuel used, and how many miles I have left before I have to push, and knowing the ambient temperature while all this is going on. Two trip meters-that part I like, and can use on trips. But it also has three settings of traction control, ABS which can be turned off in the dirt-I'll keep that one on-great brakes, and cruise control. On a shaft driven bike controlled by a drive by wire throttle. And, get this-it comes standard with a center stand! Finally, something I can use!
But back to the cruise control. Which is hard to use on freeways around here, just too much traffic. But yesterday afternoon riding to Murrieta the traffic was light, and after taking my eyes off the road for seconds at a time, I set the cruise for 84-it only works 30-100mph in case you care. And it worked, once I learned to follow directions. Even on hills, it kept the speed within 2mph of where I set it. It started to grow on me, but my decision was I don't like it. And didn't use it coming home. My right hand felt abandoned, I didn't fell like I had control, and I kept wanting to twist something. The bike didn't miss a beat, but suddenly I wasn't riding, but just along for the ride. Compared to my Street Triple I rode up, which has everything you need, and nothing you don't, this bike was on electric assist overload. And so was I!
Now I'm not saying I'm simple, but I like simple things. And my approach to all these gadgets as they are referred to in the owners manual is, why don't we spend more time creating a better rider? Skill and how to ride in certain situations can help prevent an accident, rather than having a computer do it for you. Plus you have control. You can make the choices, because you are participating. I spent more time looking out for traffic so I could turn off the cruise, and didn't feel safe-I had lost my control! Did I ever really have it? So give me simple, like the Street Triple. And give me simple in my God. A simple gospel that I can understand, that I can understand enough to share with others comfortably. So God gave us one, His Son Jesus. Simply put, we sinned, and are separated from God. We need a way back, and Jesus is the way. Confess your sin, believe with your heart and you are saved. No baptisms to salvation, no classes, no membership, no special underwear, no passing out newspapers, and no Jesus and anything. Just Jesus.
And here is the kicker. The last thing mentioned in the list of the fruit of the spirit is get this, self control. You are not forced to follow Him, but if you don't are in complete rebellion. It is your choice to obey, to live a Godly life, and to follow Him. No rules, just love. It takes you and Him-together. You can't put your relationship with Him on cruise-it takes participation, God is already committed-are you?
And self control works with meekness-which is power under control. Meekness is being in a position to do the wrong thing, but choosing the right thing, despite bad advice. It is your choice. It is living with your handle on the throttle, and knowing how to control it, which is directly connected to God. So the question is, how much of God do you want? Little blessings-use a little throttle. Big blessings-open up your throttle, your heart to Jesus, and trust Him in all things. And marvel as you pass those on cruise, who think they have it made. You're riding, they are just along for the ride. It takes a relationship between you and God, hand on the throttle, to participate. It takes knowing when to open it full, or when to back off. It takes trusting God to know how far and when to open it up. It takes Jesus so you have the access to God. It takes self control, based on trust, based on knowing God.
God wants you to think for yourself. He doesn't demand His own way, but wants you to change yours to be like Him. Blessed He calls it. From a God who has everything you need, and protects you from the things you don't. A simple ride, based on a simple gospel, based on a simple relationship between you and Jesus. So I choose simple-more fun, and more God in my life. Some choose to cruise through life, I choose to tour. Let's compare trip memories some day-I would love to show you all the places Jesus has taken me. And your cruise? Hmmm... But it still takes your hand on the throttle, and a trust in your heart. Faith leading to obedience. I like that. Jesus Christ-everything you need. Nothing you don't. And he's your choice.
How fast and how far you go is up to you. Find out in Jesus. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Don't let anyone else choose your ride for you. And your choice is?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com