Anyone who creates, from paintings to sculptures, and from songs to
stories, tells us what is going on in their life at the time of creation. Take
one Stephen Stills for instance, when with Buffalo Springfield, and auditioning
for Atlantic Records, when asked if they had any more songs, he replied “we have
this one, For What It’s Worth,” and played the song which has become their
signature song, but at the time had no title. And a low place in his
portfolio. A song about the LA riots on Sunset Strip, and the rest as they say
is history. A few years later with the super group of Crosby, Stills, and Nash
he wrote “Suite:Judy Blue Eyes” about the end of his romance with Judy Collins,
and you can feel the pain in his lyrics. We don’t get to see Judy’s perspective
though. And then again a couple of years later, going solo another hit, “Love
the One You’re With,” quite obviously over Judy, or maybe still looking for love
lost in one night stands. Maybe Judy was wanting to love someone else, not the
one she was with. And in each song, his heart is displayed for us to see, hear,
and relate to. Passion in all songs, maybe love wasn’t the right word he was
looking for in his last hit, but nobody looks for lust and sings about it.
After a 10 year relationship with my FJ1100, I traded it on a new 1996
Triumph Trident. I can still remember when I got over the old bike, it took
less than 2 miles, and I know exactly where on El Camino Real I was when it hit
me. I had fallen in love with the one I was with, and with a warranty as long
as my payments, I felt safe and secure. But with a two year warranty, unlimited
miles, the thought struck me that I could always ride a new bike, with a
warranty, and endure the payments. And so the 96 was replaced a 1998
Thunderbird Sport, which was replaced by a 2000 Sprint RS, do we see a pattern
here, and then in 2002 I added a Bonneville. Keeping the Sprint, ending one
cycle, no pun intended, and starting another. But along the way a funny thing
was happening, I wasn’t enjoying the bike I was with, I was busy anticipating my
next one. I never grew to love the one I was with, for a new bike was just a
few months away. Each time to me a better bike, I wish the payments were
better, and the old bikes must have felt like Stephen sung to Judy, “it’s
getting to the point, where I’m no fun anymore...” I had run a series of “one
bike stands,” and as soon as the new wore off, I was looking for love again, and
knew all the wrong places, Triumph being the right place. I was hooked, and
still ride Triumphs, and for Triumph today, for what it’s worth.
It seems God has built a hole in our soul that even motorcycles cannot
fill. A longing for him, to have a relationship and be loved. Forgiven and
accepted. Not traded every few years, and not a one night stand. 40 years ago
I began a one God stand when Jesus Christ came into my life. No more sad love
songs, no more wondering, or wandering about God, suddenly I had a relationship
with him, and my life changed. And although there are, were, and will always be
things that challenge my love for him, God’s love is strong enough to overcome
any of my worldly affairs. He has given me a passion to ride, and the ride only
gets better when I worship him, and not the creation. My marriage is better
when I place him first, allowing me to love my wife and family even more.
Everything I need, and nothing I don’t, that’s Jesus in my life. Where before a
ride and new bike was satisfying, at least for a few miles and the new wore off,
Jesus never grows old. Never breaks down, has a better warranty, and hasn’t
left me on the side of the road. His love is more than an emotion, although he
affects my emotions, and when I give him the preeminence, the blessings flow.
And somehow still flow when I don’t, such is his mercy and grace. Others
compete for my affections, but only Jesus wears the #1 plate in my heart, and I
am not willing to give it up. Nor will he, and some 40 years later, he is still
the one. Music changes, styles change, and relationships change. Stephen’s
songs did. It is comforting to know Christ never will, and so I don’t have to
wonder how he will react to me, just know it will be for my benefit. I wish my
motorcycles say the same thing....which is why I change bikes, but not Gods.
Jesus is the way....don’t let anything get in the way..
With my fourth Triumph I broke a series of a new bike every two years. But
started a new one, accumulating bikes. Multiple Motorcycle Disorder, MMD, and
at one time was up to 9. Down to 5 now, not including the 15-20 new Triumphs I
ride each year, 12 so far this year in 5 months. God knows my desire for new
bikes, and feeds it in a way I never dreamed of, putting miles on new Press
Fleet bikes for Triumph. But there is a reason I own what I do, and when riding
them the relationship in rides and miles continues. With over 300,000 miles on
the bikes in my garage, we have spent a lot of time together, interrupted by new
pretty faces, a Scrambler this week. But it is the long term relationship with
them that I enjoy more. I don’t worry over sounds, I know what they are, and
with no warranty other than cash only, they are maintained better. Just like my
relationship with God. It takes time, and when riding I cannot think of a
better sanctuary to worship him. But on or off the bike, Jesus Christ is still
Lord of my life. And to some MMD may encroach, to me I see the bikes in my
garage as a gift from a loving God, who gave me a passion for him, and a love
for motorcycles. Worshipping the creator, not his creation. A proper order,
for a proper God, who loves me just the way I am.
So if you follow Stephen’s advice, and love the one you are with, make sure
it is the one who can save you from hell. Who can change your life, comfort you
on the side of the road, give you life. Who never breaks down, and won’t treat
you like a one night stand. Jesus Christ, for what it’s worth, the only one to
love, and who I choose to love, the only one to be with. Love songs don’t need
to be sad, true love and the songs they sing are full of joy. Jesus loves me
this I know....for the Bible tells me so. And so does he daily.
I just heard a new Rocket X is coming my way next week, I can’t wait. For
now, I’m enjoying the Scrambler. But all that power....some things never
change. Aren’t you glad Jesus never does?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com