Before the sun rises, even on summer mornings we seek it. Standing in
shadows, we vacate them quickly seeking its warmth. Something about its warmth
and light relaxes us as the day takes form. But only a few hours later when
the temp has risen, we seek the shade again to keep us cool. It seems that no
matter how comfortable we are right now, circumstances as simple as the day
marching on change our desires to be comfortable. When it is 90 outside, 70
feels cold, yet on 50 degree days 70 feels hot. Maybe we are more like
Goldilocks than we care to admit, it seems we are never satisfied, and whatever
our situation we are found in look for something better. General Motors once
had it figured out, start with a Chevy, move up to Pontiac as you could afford
it, Buick called as you got the corner office, Olds after being a VP, then the
Cadillac, showing the world that you had made it. If you were still young enough
to enjoy it. How many watched our neighbors move up like that, today they change
addresses rather than cars. For those of us who ride it was all about the size
of your engine. Honda 50’s were the entry for most of us into riding, then big
250’s for the street. Triumph had a 650, Norton had a 750, and soon Honda
matched its size, but surpassed its power. The Z-1 of 903cc’s made us think it
would never stop, only Harley advertised in cubic inches, its 74 a man’s bike,
back before electric kick starters opened the door for lesser men. It seems as
far as our dreams, accompanied by our credit ratings and ego would allow we
would go. And today I am faced with decisions about new motorcycles, and
selling my old ones to move on.
Blame it on Triumph, I loved my Bonneville, still do, and figured it was a
keeper, for 11 years has been. Then I put 1800 miles on the two first Street
Twins in the states, and fell in love, but not quite out of love with my old
rides. So I put them up for sale, something in me wants them to go, the other
part says I hope they don’t, but no new without the passing of the old. We
should all have such problems....
And even a guy who wanted my bike if ever for sale, turned me down. Seems
I just sold another new bike for Triumph, “if Mike is so impressed he will sell
his old rides, I want one too.” But for sale they are, and as the sun fills the
garage with their memories, soon they may be gone. Shadows of past rides, but
with excitement of new ones. And for the new owners, excitement of new rides on
old bikes, or is it just more rides on different bikes? Too much thinking going
on here-I’m going riding....the next sound you hear is me twisting the
throttle.
So I find myself in the situation of Proverbs 3:5 writer, trying to figure
it all out, on my own, but only turning to God when I run out of experience and
ideas. After 40 years with him you think I would know better...so today with
you as my witness here goes, “God it is your problem. More than what to ride, I
turn it over if I ride at all. Your word says in all ways, and I will try to
trust you in them. You never let me down before...excite my spirit with what
you have planned.” The big decisions are never easy, but bring the most
blessings. And the best testimonies. God I want to hear your voice, I need
your help.
Consider Abraham, the father of our faith. A rich man, maybe the richest
in the land and he gets a visit from God. Telling him to choose between two
directions, one rich and fruitful, the other Sodom and Gomorrah. We know what
he chose, but never really got insight as to why. Maybe the spirit was so real
to him, he knew what to do, and trusted God. Willing to give it all up, based
the promise of redemption and resurrection, all foreign terms back then. No
Mosaic law to confuse him, just a wife to baffle him. But he chose God over
all, and although the battles were tough, saw more of God as one man than many
churches do today. He trusted God, and was found righteous, not sinless, just
righteous.
Only Jesus can remove sins from us, we trust him to save us, but then live
on making the other choices ourselves. And sometimes bring him in on the big
decisions. But God wants us to trust him in the little ones, so we can trust
him in the big ones. Because like moving up in size on our rides, it is looking
back we remember how he brought us along, and still does, and how yesterday has
a profound influence on today. So maybe moving out of the shadows and into the
sun can give us some hope. Moving from darkness into light, or walking with God
instead of just talking about it. Until Jesus entered my life I thought I had
it all figured out, after all I was 21...don’t we know it all at that age, and
then Jesus found me, and showed me how dependent on him I needed to be.
Situations will come and go, he stays. And has. From job to job, address to
address, bike to bike,and car to car. Times I felt like Goldilocks, and was
searching, only to find in Christ I had found everything I needed already. Dark
days I seek him more, sunny days I enjoy the day he has provided more, but never
forget him. Yes I may slip, but his mercy catches me. I have learned, and
still learning dependence on him, and although situations don’t always go my
way, he sticks with me. Love it is called, no words for it, as infinity cannot
be defined using finite words. Only in Christ, in the spirit will you ever
know. Still wondering or wandering, Jesus is right there, and knows where you
are. The question is do we? Can we trust like Abraham did and trust God with a
Sodom and Gomorrah ride, or do we want to bask in the sunshine of life. Cream
sang “I’ve been waiting so long...to be where I’m going, in the Sunshine of Your
Love.” The day of waiting is over, make the choice today. What do you do when
you get lonely? Jesus is waiting by your side.
So I guess I’ll just ride them until they sell. The only constant in my
life is Jesus Christ. I am satisfied with that. Where even the shadows of his
love are filled with light, no darkness at all. So today the best advice I can
give is just trust God, and enjoy life. Knowing he cares for me. So guess what
I am doing later.....I feel a Bonneville moment coming on. In the sunshine of
his love.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com