Robert Craig Knievel, aka Evel was perhaps the most highly recognized
motorcycle rider of a generation. Not for his riding abilities, of which he had
many, but for his showmanship. In particular his highly publicized jumps. Of
which he is quoted as saying, "anyone can jump a motorcycle, the trouble begins
when you try to land it." Which not only speaks volumes of truth about riding,
but also about life in general. Having been down a few times, I can tell you it
isn't the take off, but the get off that is the problem. Which brings up the
question, "if we know what lies ahead, why do we make the jump?"
God has reminded me of late why he gives a motorcycle a suspension. A
simple enough explanation, the road of life is rough, with many bumps. Without
a suspension on a rough road, you get tossed off. Without the Holy spirit to
buffet or guide you, you too can get thrown off. Which brings us back to Evel,
and his crashes. Having been a motorcycle junky since I can remember, Evel and
his shows were always a must watch. Just don't tell the parents, as his landing
gave them more fuel for their "Don't ride, it's dangerous campaign." But when
Evel always seemed to get up, no matter how broken he was, you could always tell
them how he always bounced back. Maybe bounced back is not the best
description. "You can fall many times in life, but you're never a failure as
long as you try to get up." Another Evel quote. Which always fell on deaf
ears, seems the little engine that could story was much safer-no one jumps
trains. "I think I can," translated into "no you won't," at my house. And yet
this daredevil/showman became a hero to many.
Although he ended up jumping Harley's, his first jumps were on Hondas, then
Nortons, a couple of years on Triumphs, then Laverdas, and finally HD.
Japanese, English, Italian, and American-he jumped them all-and crashed them
all. An equal opportunity crasher. Which if you consider my lack of Italian
riding, I can tell people I'm just like Evel-Honda 350, Triumph.... But despite
my get offs, there the comparison ends. Except my BMW jump, which Evel never
claims to have done...I was at a flat track race with BH and Bouke. Nice
country, around Skippack, when I heard a familiar sound from the track. Bouke
had my R90S on the dirt track, all crossed up-without my permission. He knew
not to ask, the answer would be no. A lesson learned by all kids early on. And
after he parked the bike, I chewed him out good, but was concerned about my dirt
covered ride. So took off onto one of Pennsylvania's great roads-hills and dips
and curves, at high speed. Until I cleared one hill at 70mph, and the drop-off
was higher than I anticipated. Also it made a hard right turn, which explained
the 30mph speed sign. But while in midair, and my landing skills were to be
tested, somehow fear and the overwhelming sense of survival took over, and I
landed perfect, went into the turn leaned over, and accelerated out of it. All
for an audience of one-if you don't include the family in the car coming the
other way. "Dad, look, that bike can fly.." No one saw it-which greatly
diminished the believability-I guess the fear in my eyes didn't show well in my
Bell Star. No one to see this great jump, and landing...so who will believe me
now?
I still ride today, maybe enough evidence that I made it, just not all the
details I would like to have bragged on. God saved me that day, in my pre
Christ days. He loved me while still a sinner, and allowed me to live to come
into His salvation. And today I find God still performing miracles, and leaving
evidence for those who doubt. When Moses met God on the mountain, He gave Moses
the Ten Commandments to return with. Evidence that Moses was with God, despite
his pre -Bell Star mask he wore to confuse the people. When Mary was with
child, He gave her and us Jesus, to prove the miracle of the virgin birth. And
when people hear of my miracle this summer of my exploding aorta, I have a scar
to prove my surgery. Three examples of how if you weren't there, evidence
remains to prove it occurred. Something tangible after something spiritual had
occurred.
Losers will always have excuses, Christians will have testimonies. Share
some of them with others today. Show the scar, and brag on the miracle worker.
No audience-praise God. Thank Him for His miracle in your life. And if a jump
appears before you, let Him guide the jump, and your landing. No matter the
outcome, tell others about Him. Turn your mess into a message, and your test
into a testimony. I heard that Evel when near death, the last time, turned his
heart to Jesus. His last jump on earth became his biggest one. And his most
important one. Don't wait until midair to make a decision. Turn to God now,
and let God change your life, just like as God did when He turned Evel to good.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com