Can it really be 30 years ago that Suzuki changed the world of motorcycling
by coming out with its GSX-R750? In an age when we had to custom build our
bikes to look like a race bike, putting on low bars, rear sets, and exhaust
systems, the GXSR came ready to ride or race. Built to a single purpose, and it
still continues today. But taking a step back, I worked selling Suzukis when
they were the last Jap bike to build a four stroke. No more racing castor
smell, 4 strokes were in, and the 1977 GS 750 was the last to arrive. A great
bike, I had a blue one, and it spawned the GS1000 in my garage. Suzuki was
winning races, setting sales records, and leading the way. But the chief
project engineer had a different approach, and calling his staff together
challenged them. He had them disassemble a 750 motor, and paint all the parts
blue they had no problems with. The ones that had broken in the field they
painted red. And with very few parts being red, they felt satisfied about their
work. Their boss didn’t. He accused them of building the bikes too well, they
didn’t break, and as a engineer found that wasteful. They had lost the
challenge and their drive for better things. They had lost the vision that had
created the original GS 750, and he gave them three rules to challenge them.
One, don’t copy. Two, go for new technology. Three, avoid conventional
wisdom. The third being the hardest to overcome, as they had set the standard,
and now were the industry standard. They needed a vision, and they were given
one, a new challenge where they might fail, but we see the 1986 GSX-R750 as the
result. It took a man of vision, and a vision to go where they might fail.
Truly the only ones who fail are the ones who never try. Who have no vision,
and have no spirit driving them. They never know the true measure of success
and the joy it brings because they never try. So they never fail. And churches
are full of folk like that.
I get weary of listening to pastors telling their flock to get out of their
comfort zone. My friend tells me those types live in a box, never seeing all
that God has to offer. Yet they are in a comfort zone, a don’t bother me
situation, and never get out of the four walls of the building. They think that
is church, and they talk among their clique, their small group, and never
venture out of it. They agree with the pastor, do all the right things the
church says, and really are miserable deep down inside. They aren’t comfortable
by Biblical standards, and appear satisfied. They are the little engine that
could, but are never tested. They boast in what God has done for them, just
look. They have good jobs, kids aren’t in jail, and they have a good standing
at church. But they are like a meal of oatmeal, they are filled up, and never
hungry. But never satisfied either. They seek after themselves, not after
God. They fail to see what a failure they are. They have met the world’s
standards, the church’s standards, just not God’s.
So I take exception to being told to get out of my comfort zone. The holy
spirit is the comforter, and when I’m following the spirit, in the spirit, I am
comfortable. It’s taken me years to get there, and I don’t want to leave. I
want my life in Christ to be challenged, and I welcome a vision from God. While
some are told to go attempt something for God where they could fail, I rather
attempt what the spirit has shown me. And with that vision know that God will
provide, I don’t have to. If he says it, it is done. God won’t fail, and so I
won’t when I follow his vision for me. Yet so many go the route of raising
money, losing the vision and losing the comfort of being in the spirit. They
fail to trust God, and leave Jesus behind as they go out on their own. Paul
simply tells us in 2 Corinthians 12, God’s strength is made perfect in our
weakness. The more weakness in me, the stronger God is in the situation. And
the three things the Suzuki engineers were challenged with can apply to
Christians. To strengthen our walk, to allow us to be in the spirit, to be in
God’s comfort zone. So don’t copy others, or share your vision so others copy
you. If God shows you, do it. No programs, processes, or procedures needed.
No budgets. Jesus is enough. Two, God’s way may be a new technology to you.
Trusting his spirit takes you places you have never been, and without God you
will fail. His technology may be old, but is new to you. Nothing is new under
the sun. So trust the original creator to get ‘er done. And lean not on your
own understanding. Finally avoid conventional wisdom. Trust God, and follow
the spirit’s leading. How many have quit saying “we’ve never done it this way
before?” Jesus chose 12 men with no talents or abilities to start his church.
You may be over qualified, yet God will find a purpose and place for you. If
God never challenges you, you are a failure already, as you have denied his
spirit that is calling you.
My 1978 GS 1000 has half the horsepower, and weighs 150 pounds more than
today’s super bikes. It took the vision of one man in charge to inspire his
staff to new heights. Who inspires you? Or are you satisfied with your
religion? Is church boring, are you in a comfort zone that is really
uncomfortable? Or do you hear the spirit calling you out, to walk with him, and
see blessings that you never knew existed? It takes men of vision to walk with
Christ, to trust he who you cannot see or touch, but who you know is real. I am
so glad my God is not happy with my situation, and wants me to change. To be
blessed, and a blessing at the same time. Get out of the box and into the
spirit. Riding my GS will now have a new meaning every time I ride it. I will
remember that where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. And that I once
rode in faith, now in trust. The words you are reading now, a vision God gave
me, far from anything I was qualified for. And I would fail if not for Jesus in
my life.
Be all you can be in Jesus Christ. Be yourself, maybe the single most
difficult thing you will ever do. But trust God, get into his comfort zone and
see God as you never have seen him before. The fastest motorcycle that sits in
the box will never show all the potential it has until it uncrated and the
throttle twisted. Get out of the box, and into the spirit. A lesson from an
engineer in Japan. Who realized great was never good enough and challenged his
team to greater things. Think of it as the prodigal motorcycle, prodigal
meaning wasteful. Like the son who stayed home and missed all the blessings of
his father. He was the true prodigal. Religion teaches different. Bound by
religion, or riding in the spirit? If you never try, you have already failed.
If you never screw up you will never need mercy. It all starts with being in the
spirit. You may be riding a prodigal life and not knowing it. Avoid
conventional wisdom and seek wisdom from above. Like the fastest motorcycle,
you need to take it out of the box and try it out. Take Jesus out of the box.
And join him. Think I’ll go for a ride.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com