A young Christopher Columbus had a dream, a vision that he could sail to
the westby going east As fanatical as it may have sounded, think of the
wording, he wanted to attempt the voyage purely based on his dream, but found no
takers, financial or other in his home land of Italy. So travellinwst to Spain,
he found a sympathetic, and willing backer in Queen Isabella of Spain, who would
finance the entire journey, based on the promise of riches, and of dominating an
eastern sea route to the west. At the time, it was believed the world was flat,
and no way could it be circumnavigated, and Chris was labeled a heretic, going
against church belief and doctrine, and most thought him attempting a suicidal
trip, one that would claim his life and his crews. But Queen Izzy thought it
worth the risk, we are not told if she believed the world round or not, but was
willing to wager three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, plus their crews
to find out. You better be right Chris, your life depended on it, but more
importantly your reputation. So setting out without a route, the Atlantic was
unexplored, once outside the Mediterranean the edge lies looming, and with no
time frame, and no agenda other than to find a trip to the East, he headed out.
What if the world was flat? What if he had discovered the edge instead of a new
trade route? What if he found something else? And what if he never returned to
answer all these questions?
Setting out on my first ride in a new area often raises questions. You
tend to hear all the worst case scenarios, and often believe them more readily,
truth or not. They can range from bad roads, local Leroy sheriffs targeting
motorcyclists, or out of state plates, gas availability, or riding into state
with ethanol, or different foods available. But what if your bike breaks, and
there is not a Harley dealer at each exit? What if the parts aren’t there you
need? What if I get sick? What if I get sick? What if despite all these
things I have a great time and want to return? What if I don’t return? And for
what may just be a first ride into a new area, or a cross country run, suddenly
you are faced with mounting doubts, which can over ride any fun anticipated.
But despite all the warnings, and all the potential danger, jut like Chris we
forge ahead, excited about what lies around the next bend, hoping we never find
the edge that some people think exists. The only boundary being our own doubts
and fears, fueled by those who can’t, won’t, and shouldn’t go along. They have
found their edge, and the world they live in isn’t round. But fenced in by
fears...
Now Chris. C. ‘s journey was to be more exciting, and profitable than even
he could have imagined. And today many still argue of his claims of finding a
new world, he never did find the route he was searching for, and some can vote
him a failure on that basis alone. So don’t be too hard on old Mr. C., or
yourself when your ride doesn’t turn out as planned. After being invited to a
Jaycee picnic when we first moved to Durango, we followed the directions given,
and when 3 miles became 10 miles with no houses insight, common sense would have
told us to turn around. So we didn’t, and ended up at Vallecito Lake, a
beautiful destination that we would move to later that year. A place we didn’t
know existed, like Chris we had started off for one destination, but God led us
on another, and Chris and us have been blessed by it. Sometimes the dreams we
follow take us places where no dream can vision, usually better. And like most
of us, if we were told the events or things we would encounter, we would make
excuses, or listen to others, turning back and missing out on the blessings. Of
course, none of us would ever be like that...
Ever since I have been a Christian, I have been inundated by messages and
questions pertaining to God’s will for your life. And along the way as the
casualties mount up, you wonder how did so many miss out? Were they scared off
by rumors of the edge, or were they misled by others? But one thing I can
confirm, is that pressing on will finally get you somewhere, and that as God
guides, He provides. And He doesn’t lay out His whole plan for you all at once,
for various reasons, number one among them is that you would amend it. Change
it for what you want, as opposed to following Jesus. You would make
suggestions, and end up off the course God has laid out. Life will throw many
detours at you, and some will lead you astray, but some lead to blessings. Like
Vallecito Lake. But you must be following your guide, the holy spirit. But
what if you get off the right road? Some churches will tell you that once you
get right with God, you are welcomed back. But since Jesus never left you, He
goes down those wrong paths, so you are still protected, and there to guide you
back. He is still planning your route, you just need to follow. And if you
reach the edge, still can turn to Him. At that point it is your choice, the
edge or Jesus? Simple question, huh? Simple answer, too. So what are you
waiting for?
So we are faced with the question, what if Columbus had never returned?
How would we know the truth of his voyage? Would the next Columbus ever come
along, or would the world still be flat to us? Today we know it isn’t, his
return and stories caused others to follow him. When Jesus returned it was
proof of what He had said He would do, and those who believe join the millions
who have followed after Him. Without Him we would have sailed off the edge, and
sadly many do, choosing to follow anything but Him. The course God has for you
is one of joy and adventure. Giving Him the glory, and you the blessings. What
may seem like a wrong turn to some, is right to God, but you need to trust Him,
so you need to know Him.
It took a man of vision, and a Queen of faith to send Columbus out to the
east to find the way west. Faith. Which is dead without works. Use the vision
God hagiven you today, and step out In faith and follow Him, n matter where the
road takes you. The safest place to be is where God wants you, and sometimes
you will never know until you go out and test the waters, or the roads. All
roads lead to somewhere...you will never know until you get out and follow one.
You may be closer to the edge than you think...I don’t wish to live not knowing,
do you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com