You bought it with love, paid all the payments grudgingly over the years.
Your kids knew not to eat in it, or play around it. You maintained it, polished
it, and garaged it. You loved it and bragged about it to others, then one day
it got old. It wasn't a fuel efficient as the new model, the styles had
changed, and suddenly the car was considered old-maybe not to you, but as the
neighborhood vehicles got newer, yours appeared older. So one day, under the
excuse of just looking, you went cruising the car stores, looking for a
replacement. WOW how prices had changed, and what once was a house payment, was
now a car payment. And your old car, the one you cherished and loved, was now
just a tool to bargain with. Sentiment has no value when it comes time to sell,
and you finally decide on a price, and drive home with a new car. And the cycle
repeats itself....buy for love, and sell for money. Pay retail, sell for
wholesale, and then try to explain what a great deal you got to your wife...who
may not know cars, but understands value. Who understands form before function,
just not when it comes to new car negotiations.
I had had my FJ 1100 for 10 years, and traded it for one of the first new
Triumphs-a 1996 Trident. A whole new arena for me, and my friend from many
trips, 76,000 miles, and endless memories was being traded. And I wondered
would I ever get over it. Which took me 1.9 miles after leaving the dealer,
when stopping for gas and I looked at the Trident. This was my new ride.
Everything was new, the same roads would be seen from behind a new set of
handlebars, and a whole new adventure was beginning. The same only different,
and suddenly all the quirks of the FJ were forgotten, with no new rides on it to
remember, and many new memories ahead with my new ride. I couldn't go back to
it for one last ride, and found I didn't need to or want to. And looked ahead to
the many that would follow on the Trident.
The same road, same rider, but a whole new outlook. You go into the same
corners different, cruise in maybe a different gear, and hit higher speeds-the
same road, but with a new bike, and a changed rider on it. An exciting time, as
old expands to new, which expands to more roads, more rides, and more new
adventures. Meeting new riders, and sometimes leaving your old riding buddies
behind. Who wonder what has happened to you, and you wonder why it hasn't
happened to them. And soon you find yourself riding less with them, and more
with your new friends, and life is new and exciting, just because of the ride
you have chosen to take, and the choices you have made.
I thought I had a good time before I came to Christ. I was enjoying life,
doing whatever I wanted, and the joke was that if you died young you made a
better looking corpse. And sadly I have known some better looking corpses over
the years. But after resisting the invitation that Jesus extended, I finally
said yes. And what I once thought was important was found to be foolish. I had
a new ride, and even the old roads seemed more exciting. And as I grew in
grace, I found that while I often would look back with fond memories, the person
that was in them was not the person remembering them. I had changed, the old
for the new, and never wanted to go back. I had new memories to make, and was
looking forward to making them. Sadly my old friends didn't see it my way, and
still don't today. My new life in Christ was a threat to the sin in their life,
and as I moved on, they moved back. And I made new friends who had Christ in
their life, and suddenly the new riding partners had more skills, more desire,
and a new outlook on life, and riding. When it came time to trade, I made a
good deal-sin for grace. Death for life. And it was all paid for in
advance-just like showing up at the will call window, and the backstage passes
were waiting with my name on them.
But what of old friends and old rides? When I run into them, I get excited
about my life, but they have little excitement in theirs. Life has interfered
with their plans, while Jesus has made mine come true. He gave me life, and
showed me a better way. With more to come...but what of old friends? And are
you one of theirs? How does your old Yamaha shop look at you as you ride in on
a new Triumph? Aren't they both motorcycles, don't you both ride? But sadly
something is missing-the common bond is gone, having been brand specific. He
used to ride one of ours, but changed.
Make the change to Jesus today. And live a life to encourage others. Be
an example to those who don't know God, that by seeing you they want to know
God. Ask them along for a ride, and take them places they had never been, but
only heard about. Let them experience Jesus for themselves, for love doesn't
demand its own way. You shouldn't either. Make a new old riding partner
today.
And for those who won't or don't, don't give up on them as you move on.
Jesus never gave up on you. They could just be making a testimony to share with
others. They'll know when to make the trade. to go from death to life. Just
like you did. Today is the day of salvation-any questions, ask God and make it
yours today. So many roads, so many bikes, and so many new memories to make.
Make them in the Lord.
When riding my 1978 GS1000, after riding a new bike, I wonder "how did we
ever ride those things?" But I am reminded that the bike will only go where you
are looking-so look ahead. For as Satchel Paige once commented, "don't look
behind you, the devil may be gaining." I choose to look ahead, and see Christ.
Hope you do too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com