I for one am glad that lane splitting, aka white lining is legal in
California. So much time is wasted in traffic, behind cars with only one person
in them, that the open lane between them is often the only route to take. And
the CHP advocates it, even going as far as to say it is the only open lane you
can see ahead in. And I know that some have been hit by careless car drivers,
but I have never seen it, and hope I never do. And I usually try to maintain a
constant speed, only once going over 55 when tailing a CHP motor officer at 55,
and when I saw my speed backed out of it. I rather get home safe-those guys are
nuts-but man can they ride. Which makes me wish I could ride that well, and get
paid for it! But not all traffic moves so well, and not all are cycle
friendly. Some are downright ignorant, and you wonder if it is the drivers, or
the signs they follow. Can’t they see the open lane?
I have experienced the following twice in Tennessee. Both on I-40 going
west, if it means anything. A portable flashing billboard said “RIGHT LANE
CLOSED IN 30 MILES.” OK, so in 30 miles , I’ll get over. Except that everyone
was getting over now-causing a huge traffic jam. So I just stayed in the right
lane for the next 30 miles, and then got over. Except I was the only one, as
cars honked, drivers shouted, and you could tell that stupid was the order of
the day. I think of it as only common sense, not even close to lane splitting,
but talking later with another rider, he didn’t get it either. Seems you guys
from California are nuts...seems we have the ability to lead and not follow.
And the sense to not get stuck in a man made traffic jam some 30 miles too
soon. Maybe another good reason God invented back roads for motorcycles. Be
warned if you are in Tennessee and the sign warns of a lane closure, you have a
free lane fro another 30 miles. And never once did I feel unsafe, as the
traffic told us that no one was going to cross into our lane. Add this to my
favorite rides list....
On our Torches Across America ride in 2005, the last 90 miles into New York
City was an escort of 3200 motorcycles-over 18 miles of bikes. Great ride,
great leading until we got to a fork in the road, and the leader took the wrong
fork, backing up traffic for miles, and having to close the Holland Tunnel to
let us all through. He had followed the sign that said Brooklyn, our final
destination, just forgot that Ground Zero was in Manhattan on the way. But it
all ended up well, another of my favorite rides. Now the two ride examples
have one thing in common, going where you were pointed, not necessarily the
proper route as prescribed. One followed a sign, the other guy didn’t. It
didn’t matter brand of bike, or size or horsepower-but it did matter where we
aimed it. Which proves more important than how you got there...or didn’t.
It has been said, and wisely so, that a marksman is known by his aim, and
not his arrows. When hitting the target is your agenda, it doesn’t matter how
you get there. Too much emphasis is place on the means of riding, and not on
the ride. What good is all the chrome and horsepower if it never reaches the
street? What good is a touring bike if you never tour? What good is the most
expensive and newest motorcycle if it never leaves the garage? What are you
aiming at? And How do you plan on hitting your target? If it is just to have
the newest, some trade every year. I had a friend who if he ever got beat, sold
his bike and built another. We were always glad to get his throwaways, his aim
was different than ours. The Harley catalog will be happy to keep you in
chrome, as long as your credit card clears, and sport guys can wear out tires
faster than they can be replaced, only to wear them out again. Each one having
a different target, effecting their aim. So riders too are not know by what
they ride, but how they ride, and where they ride. 20 miles and $20,000 doesn’t
make you a biker, nor do the latest leathers on the most expensive Ducati. When
the flag drips, the BS stops, and your aim better be pretty good, because you
will be tested. And just because the sign says the lane ends...it might be in
30 miles of 300 feet-now how important is your aim?
Over the years I have been part of various evangelical events. And each
one had a designed purpose, an aim if you will. Some were to feed the hungry,
if they left fed, you hit your target. But sadly some focus on return on their
investment. They run a free feed, hoping to fill the church, or for their club
to grow. And when it doesn’t feel they fail, and have no return for all their
time and money. God looks at things differently, and tells us that where our
heart is, so will our actions take us. The words from our mouth will express
best what is on our heart. That scares me, does it you? Take a look at your
ministry actions, are they to fill a church, a Bible study, or to lead men to
Christ? What was Jesus’ agenda when He fed the 5000, to feed the hungry, or to
win souls? Read the scripture, you may be surprised-the crowd was starved! So
He fed them, and did it via a miracle that is still taught on today. But many
remember the meal, or how they got the meal, but how many remember how He taught
while they ate? They got fed two times, a feat we need to remember. What was
His aim, and what is it still today? To meet the need...whether it be healing,
meet the great physician. Hungry, meet the great provider. Lonely, meet the
best friend you’ll ever have. Lost, meet the savior, the Son of God, the Lamb
who forgives your sin-Jesus Christ. For He is a true marksman, meeting the
need, His aim is perfect. He knows when to lane split, and also knows when the
sign says lane closed in 30 miles what to do. He was never late, always on
time, and always hit the target. His arrows-love, forgiveness, compassion.
What arrows are you using? And what is your target? Aim low enough you will
always hit it. The target God gives just says love Him and then your neighbor,
have you hit that one lately?
So just as a marksman is known by his aim, a Christian is known by his
love-His love. If God wants you to feed someone today, do it. You have hit
your target. If He tells you to give away some clothes, to do a toy ride, or
visit someone in the hospital-do it. You have then hit the target God has given
you. Don’t worry about the salvation part, that is up to Him. so like the
scripture says, “as you go, make disciples,” and preach the word daily. Using
words only when needed. How many remember the 5000 being fed, but don’t
remember the conversation Jesus had with Andrew, or Phillip? Long after your
words are forgotten, your actions will be remembered. They will remember your
aim, not your arrows. And if done for Christ, they will remember Him.
So if it needs to be done, just do it. And enjoy the ride....even more.
Be blessed by being a blessing. How hard is that?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com