While up at Mickey's last week having new tires put on the Tiger for our
annual trip, Harry-guitarist with the Darryl Mansfield Band and I got to talking
about the Steve McQueen Special Edition Bonneville press bike up front. We had
seen pictures of it in magazines, which didn't impress. But in person, the list
of "custom" items looked way cool. It is a faded khaki, with Triumph stenciled
on the tank, a single grey seat with luggage rack, and lots of blacked out
chrome. Made to resemble the bike that was jumped in The Great Escape, this was
#48 of 100. Which Steve didn't jump, Bud Ekins did. And we got to talking
about Bonnevilles, the new ones in their 12th season, and still being made
almost like the first ones in 2001. One noticeable change is fuel injection,
but Triumph put the injectors in carb cases-way cool. And trying to find a used
one is about impossible. The sales manager at NCY tells me when they hear of
one being traded, it is usually resold before it is taken in trade. A rare bike
that doesn't pretend to be anything but what it is-a Bonneville. A bike that
ridden 100 yards puts a smile on your face. A bike that is fun to ride. Not
the fastest, or best handling, just fun. Not a touring bike, but don't tell my
friends at BA-Moto that-nine of them rode 1000 miles in a day last year! Many
have over 60,000 on their daily rides. Take that Gold Wing rider! And Mickey
built a motor last year that set a record at Bonneville-which is what the model
in named after. Where it initially set records in the fifties. A bike that
helped inspire the original Sportster-all the way to the Sporty shifting on the
right, ala the Brit bikes at the time. It is an honest bike, which is way cool,
guaranteed to draw crowds wherever you go, and is a hit among even the Harley
crowd. It seems everyone had one growing up. It leaked oil, had lousy
electrics, and your feet stunk of hi-test from tickling the cars-before you kick
started it. But they all remember one thing-they loved that bike and wished thy
had one again. And now many do, due to Triumph and the new Bonneville. The
perfect tribute to cool, and the perfect model for Steve.
It's a tough market out there for men's souls also. So many want so much
from God, and think they can earn extra blessings from Him. But it is the
mature Christian who knows God's grace is sufficient, and that you cannot earn
favor with Him, who is truly blessed. When we become like the Bonneville, not
pretentious, and just ourselves, then we grow in God. It is when we are happy
to sit in the back and let God get the credit that we grow. It is when we are
comfortable in the spirit letting God lead, that we are more affective, and
watch the blessings increase. It is when the fruit of the spirit becomes
evident in our lives, and God draws people to us-not our colors, vests,
t-shirts, or bumper stickers. It is when we realize how cool Jesus really is,
and let it be all about Him that we mature. It is when we cut the world out of
our ministries, and let Jesus be Lord, that we grow in grace. No programs in
the Bible. When we depend on Jesus, and not our own understanding we see God
grow, and our pride shrink. We can be ourselves in Christ, an individuality
that many ministries deny us. A freedom only found in Jesus, and no back
patch. Long before there were colors, the Holy spirit was at work-and still is
today. Struggling in ministry-give it to God.
I am reminded how after a Billy Graham Crusade at the Rose Bowl one night,
a woman with her grandchildren came up to us in the dark. Would we pray for her
son who was a biker? We had no colors, it was the spirit who guided-and still
does. God doesn't need our help, and when I try to assist I usually mess things
up. Keep your only agenda Jesus!
A time is coming when Jesus will be as cool as riding a motorcycle. How
about right now? Right now Hollywood and other celebrities are riding
Bonnevilles. I put the break in miles on Christine Aguilera's Bonne. Dale, Jr.
has a red Thruxton. House rides a Bonneville to work in real life. Ryan
Reynolds rides a Bonneville bobber Mickey built for them. And as a new
generation discovers how cool Triumphs are, it is refreshing to see cool
endure.
NOW-if we can only wake up church, and spread the gospel as much as the
motorcycle community is growing, imagine the impact. Imagine if we were as
concerned for their souls as we are for what they ride. Imagine if we really
showed we cared, and took the brotherhood found in motorcycling to the world via
Jesus. Imagine if we let the spirit guide us, and is wasn't about us. If you
are, you know the blessings. If not, I invite you to let Jesus be Lord in your
life today. Follow Him, and never hear the words, "why do you call me Lord, but
do not obey?" Who knows, you may even minister to bikers, or ride a motorcycle
yourself. We can't all be pastors or teachers, but we can all love. We can all
pray, and we can all ask God to show us how to minister in His name.
God is not looking for any special editions, or numbered series of
peoples. He is looking for people like you and me to serve. To trust and
obey. The harvest is great, the workers are few. Salvation doesn't make you a
worker, for many are called, but few chosen. The unemployment rate among those
who minister is 0%. Don't let the stories lead you astray, get to know Jesus
personally today. His true beauty is seen the closer you get to Him. You've
read the book-get to know the man. A Triumph by any standard.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com