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It all happened so fast that it was over before I realized it had
happened. I was riding in Hollywood, Florida that is, down US 1, when a car
made a left turn from the right lane in front of me, sending me over the
handlebars, landing on my left shoulder and my left wrist. I ended up in the ER
with a broken wrist-all bones, my collar bone broken in two places, my left
shoulder broken and separated, and the left side of my face worn raw. Only my
Bell helmet, which was worn through to the liner saved my life. A good
endorsement for their ad about “if you have a $10 head...” My girlfriend was on
the back, and had knee surgery, and my pride and joy, my 1972 R60/5 was
totaled. I was upset about it all, but devastated about my bike, the first time
I had never returned from a ride. Sadly within two months, on my new BMW R90/6,
I would be hit and run, so hard the drive shaft went into the engine, leaving me
on the side of the road. I later woke up in the ER again, the last thing I
remember before passing out in the ditch was “10WW10791” the plate number of the
car that hit me. But once again, this time on my new bike, only 4 days old with
only 400 miles on it, it was totaled and I never saw it again. I had buried two
bikes before I was 21, neither time my fault. And for the first time I knew
just how personal your own motorcycle can be, and why captains go down with
their ships. And also why they call them “she,” it is a relationship that goes
far beyond words. And to the end, you trust no one else with her. My loss went
far beyond the insurance settlement, although I did OK, but I had finished those
two rides alone. My ship had gone down, and I felt like I had abandoned her.
Until the next ride, t-one of the first R90S in the country became my next ride,
and a new romance began.
Ever break down or run out of gas, and the bike you loved one minute you
hate the next? But somehow you don’t hate it, and will stay with it while
someone else goes for gas, like when my friend Bouke ran out of gas while we
were riding. His pretty wife was along, and he rather send her with me, with
many warnings not to mess with her, even after I volunteered to stay with his
Z-1, but he chose to stay with his ride rather than his flirting wife. A
captain staying with his ship. Again a relationship between man and machine,
one that runs deep, which is why I cannot understand those who rent motorcycles,
when they can ride their own. My high mileage bikes show time well spent, not
the same as when I put miles on press bikes. And I can see why someone would
rather push a Harley than ride a Honda, truly if I have to explain, or if I
could explain, you will still have to understand. And still be pushing. That I
don’t understand.
I have always been puzzled why Lot felt compassion for Sodom and
Gomorrah. These two evil towns had even tried to rape him, yet he bargained
with God down to the last man found honorable to save the entire area. W know
the story, no one was found, and God destroyed them both, despite Lot’s futile
bargaining. It is like two people meeting in the bar, having moved from a place
they didn’t like. But when they encounter a new friend, one who belittles it,
they will defend it vigorously? The same place they hated and left, now they
will defend. Maybe we should call it the “Lot Syndrome,” for although we may
hate it, and abandon it, sometimes there really is no place like home. Just
like Dorothy found out, she wanted out, but couldn’t wait to get back. To
Kansas?
And so we come to John 3:16, where God tells us of how he loved
the world so much he sent Jesus. Just for you. Even if you and I were the only
sinners, he would have sent Jesus. It isn’t and never has been a numbers game
with God, that was Lot’s argument. But God knew he had to destroy sin, Lot only
saw his neighbors and friends. But God sees all, and desires to have that
special, personal relationship with you. He is the captain that will not
abandon his ship, making sure all others are safe. He is that intangible, that
no matter how bad things are, you don’t blame him. And when you do, he forgives
you. He is patient, unlike our perception of patience, that none should
perish. He desires no one to go to hell, a place created for the devil and his
angels. But he respects you so much, and you decision, that if you want to go,
he will honor it. He will not force his will on you....unlike some religions I
know of. You can come as you are, and he will love you as you are. And love
you and encourage you to be all you could be. If you know Jesus, you know what
I mean, if you don’t, take the time now to ask his forgiveness, and let him into
your life. Don’t wait until you are stuck on the side of the road to find him,
when you can be riding with him today.
The coal miners have a saying, “last man out.” Until the last
man is out, the day, the search, the rescue is not over. For veterans, it is no
one left behind. If only politicians knew that. They know the power and bond
of a relationship, where one for all, all for one. E Pluribus Unum, Out of
many, one. Which speaks of a relationship with Christ. We can become one in
him, not restricted to any certain number. With God it is one for all, for
Jesus died for all, even the sinner who denies him. One died so that all may
have life, and have it abundantly. That is what God calls love, agape love.
Shown in mercy and grace. Which you cannot describe, it must be experienced.
And someday, that last man out will be saved, and Jesus will call us all home in
the rapture. And we will see his true justice, and his true mercy face to
face. A true captain who was willing to go down with his ship, the church his
father had given him, only to defeat death. Just like we will.
Each time I sell a bike, some memories go with it. Many times I
have said “ I wish I hadn’t sold it,” but with new bikes come new memories, to
be discovered. Sometime between now and forever, trust God. He is the only
assurance you have of heaven, and the joy and peace that go with it. Better
than being left behind, or going down with your ship. Jesus has paved the way,
he has made the way, and he is the truth about it. Lot fled and was saved. So
did Mrs. Lot, only to be turned into a pillar of salt, looking back at her sin,
rather than ahead to the one who saved her. As anyone who rides knows, where
your eyes go, you will follow. Works in the Bible, works on the road, works in
real life. Truly where you r eyes go you will follow, so set your sights on
things on high-Jesus. Works in coal mines, battlefields, and in church. Even
at home. You may be the captain of your destiny, choose the life preserver
Jesus offers, no need to go down with your ship if you don’t have to. The best
views are still from above. Or behind the handlebars. Jesus and motorcycles-it
is that personal.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com