A popular theme found in motorcyclist magazines is “Ten Best Roads.”
Letting your mind wander, and wonder what it would be like to ride them. But
coming upon an older article, I found I had ridden 8 of the 10, and that many of
them wouldn’t appear on my best list. Too many people know about them now,
pushing many of us to other roads, less traveled, and rally better roads. Roads
that don’t necessarily lead to anywhere, but take you somewhere words and tarmac
can’t. I had ridden Pozo Road before, and it was fun, but didn’t go anywhere
except Pozo, open only on weekends, or over the mountain to the Carrizzo Plane.
But last Tuesday I saw it different. Only 18 miles in length, there were times
when 80 wasn’t fast enough, and 30 was too fast. Whereas the valley was under
wind warnings, there was no wind on Pozo that day. In the 50’s when we first
went down it, and in the 70’s returning, we never felt the cold or the warm. We
had ridden Pozo Road, or better yet experienced Pozo Road, a road not to appear
on any Top 10. It is the local roads, the roads where we become one with the
bike, and time stands still that we remember best. Some roads beg to be ridden
fast, some slow, some tell us never come back, but some just welcome you, and we
were welcomed that morning.
Now why the pavement is fresh and smooth on this road to nowhere is beyond
me, someone in the road department must ride, but it is fresh except for the
short sections being replaced. Even the workers smiled when we rode by, slowing
but not going slow-they knew. Maybe it was the wild turkeys crossing the road,
and then giving us the “what for” look as we invaded their road. Maybe it was
the ranches, or the ranch houses, with horses in corrals. Maybe it was Pozo,
all three buildings of it, with the Pozo Saloon getting ready for a big concert
that weekend-country western of course. Maybe it was the elevation changes, the
creek that ran along side most of it. Maybe it was the turn off to Lake
Margarita, that we took, only to turn back after being faced with a day use
charge-the best things in life still are free. Maybe it was the herd of horses,
who ran when we passed, then all looked at us when we returned. Unimpressed.
Maybe it was the Rinconcada Store, open only on weekends, and looking like it
was closed for good. A long time ago. Maybe it was Theresa and I, or maybe it
was all the above, and even more. But one thing was for sure, there is no good
reason to ride Pozo Road.
Now it has been said, and rightly so, “I rather be riding my motorcycle
thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle.” Maybe
that was the key component that day, like it has been on many others. But what
about the times I have been in church and thought about rides, and riding? Was
I in sin, or the spirit? Many times when in church, Pastor Ray will say
something which confirms what God has shown me before. He will confirm it in
scripture, and my mind gets to going places. One verse, sometimes one word in
the verse, previously overlooked, will set my spirit riding. And as the
scriptures become real to me, I am riding a great road, just me and the Lord,
and speed, bike, or any other conditions don’t matter-just Jesus. Sometimes
Wickham will play songs during worship that send me thinking, “Bless the Lord
all my soul” sends me back to a precious time with Jesus. Sometimes I
contemplate God, sometimes I am moved to pray for others. Sometimes it is just
sometimes...but can be any time or every time. For the Holy Spirit works that
way, in ways that words cannot describe, for if words could it wouldn’t be God.
You cannot use finite words to explain an infinite God, yet some try. Or over
try-“don’t you get it?” they wonder, when you know you do, and wonder why they
don’t. I can explain it to you, but I can’t understand it for you. It can be
seeing friends, listening to testimonies, teachings on the radio, or just you
and a Bible, but where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. A freedom to
see God for who He is, to make it personal. To ride at the speed of light, or
sit waiting at a light. But when He is with you, all things are different, and
we look at things in a new light. We see things through His eyes rather than
ours, and lean on Him, rather than our own understanding. And the blessings
begin to overwhelm, over flowing, and we see Jesus-for nothing else matters.
Ever wonder what it will be like in heaven? Consider your prayer life now, if
you really trusted God, what would your prayer life be reduced to? Praise and
worship-heaven, and it can be on earth as it is in heaven, Jesus said so. So
try that one on, and see if it makes a difference in your relationship to God.
Or with God.
So rather than thinking about it, do it! Be a doer of the word, not just a
talker. Get out and ride, get to church and into Jesus. Be in the spirit, and
watch as you see things much differently. Turkeys, horses, and hawks aren’t a
distraction, but part of the ride. Don’t hurry, I still ride fast, but really
ride less slow, getting the most out of every ride and road. Sometimes third
gear is too much for 30, and too much for 80. Not all roads have to lead to
somewhere, some are calling to be ridden, then turn around and ridden again.
And again. Seeing things both ways, and in ways only God sees them. What are
your 10 Best roads? 10 best rides? Unless Jesus is part of them, you are
missing something. Life is not all about getting from point a to point b, it is
about the ride. So for many there will be no good reason to ride Pozo Road. It
doesn’t seem to go anywhere. But to those who ride with Jesus, it will take you
places you have never been. And places you can’t wait to go back too. Only in
Christ are your best rides still ahead. And your 10 best rides yet to come.
And yes, I think about God a lot when riding, don’t you? What better
reason to ride than to spend time with God with no interruptions? To see
things His way, at His speed, on His roads. Roads that will never make anyone
else’s top 10, only yours. And on the seventh day when God rested, you will
find me resting in Him, while riding. Just me, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit-for
wherever two or three are gathered in His name, He is among them. No better
reason to ride Pozo Road than I can think of.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com