Tuesday, April 16, 2013

while waiting patiently for the light to change










Cool is not something that can be defined. It is sorta like demanding patience-right now! Or bragging about how modest you are. Once you verbalize it, or tell someone how cool you are-you aren’t. Cool goes far beyond anything tangible, it comes from deep inside, but can be manifested in the physical. For instance, Christopher and I are sitting at a light on out Bonnevilles, where right in front of us is a new one, with the paper plates still on it. Shiny and beautiful-the bike, the rider thinks he is too, as he is shiny in his new leathers, and exercising his wrist waiting for the light to change. People in cars are looking, as they do at Bonnevilles, and this guy is digging it. The light turns green, and he takes off, and half way through the intersection, the bike bogs down, and wants to quit, starving for fuel. As I pull up next to him, I point at his petcock, and he gives me a blank look. As he pulls over, I pull next to him, reach over and turn his fuel on, and the bike stumbles to life. As it does, we ride off, watching as this rookie mistake has taken all the cool out of his ride. No shiny leathers, not even his cool bike could cover for his rookie mistake. He may return to being cool again some day, but for now anyone who has seen him, or hears of him, knows how uncool he really is. We have all been there, and it seems the bigger the crowd, the bigger the embarrassment. Funny how one simple twist of his left wrist, turning on the gas, had such a profound effect on the twist of his throttle wrist. A lesson he probably will never forget, and if accused will deny. But we know-because we were there. And also because at one time or another, he was us.
Now if he had just turned it on himself, and rode on, that would have been cool. Blame it on the new bike, or the dealer, but when a fellow biker has to do it, that ‘s just not cool. You cannot teach experience, you have to experience it for yourself. Just like cool cannot be described, either you have it or you don’t, grace works the same way. You cannot describe grace, it is something that must be experienced. First hand. And walking in the spirit is the same. I don’t always realize when I am walking in the spirit, but like the man losing his cool, I know when I am not in it. Grace works the same. I can see the grace of God when I trust Him, and let Him lead me, but when I make one wrong turn, grace goes on, without me. But fortunately God’s mercies don’t, and they beckon me back to the right course. Sometimes as simple as turning on the gas, when I repent and turn back to Jesus, the ride continues. But sometimes it takes some time spent on the side of the road, before God can get your attention. It may take a call for help, or to a friend, but grace is not an isolated event. Or experience. It takes two-you and Jesus. Getting your eyes off you, and onto Him. Alone it ain’t grace. But God is always there to offer it, it is up to us to take it.
After Jesus was crucified, He appeared to some men fishing, Peter among them. At the fire, after he had recognized Jesus, Jesus asked him three times, “do you love me?” The same number of times, Peter who did, and does, denied Him. Jesus didn’t deny him, although Peter had denied Jesus. He forgave him, showing mercy and grace. Giving Him an assignment, to take the gospel to the lost. Now that’s cool. Because Jesus is cool. And both He and Peter had a special time together. So special it is recorded in the Bible for others to see. And learn from.
You may be stumbling along today, out of gas, or maybe with it turned off. Things you cannot do alone will face you. It takes Jesus to get through the day, and He is always available. His mercies go with you down the wrong road, just waiting to be asked the direction back. He is the way! Not sown on any map. He is also very cool, not revealing your sin to anyone else, and once it is confessed, He forgets it. But somehow allows us to remember, so we don’t leave the gas off again. But when we do, He is there again to help. If only riding were so simple.
So Jesus is cool. So cool He defeated death. So cool He rose again. So cool He offers it to you. He calls it love. And He is patient-right now! Waiting for you to come to Him. And He never brags on Himself, but always points to His Father in heaven. Way cool. Cool is a lot more than just escaping the flames of hell, cool is a person. Peter found that out, way before cool was popular. Now you do. The question is, how cool are you? Trust Jesus, for without Him you’ll never know. But somehow those around you will know you aren’t. He is waiting patiently for you. What will you do when the light turns green?
Cool? or ....
You did remember to cancel your turn signals after the turn, didn’t you?
be cool, love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com