Many a Friday night was spent when I was young and single getting our
motorcycles ready for Saturday morning rides. Usually we would end up in
Bouke’s garage, he had all the tools and extra parts we always seemed to need,
and many summer nights turned into summer mornings addressing critical issues
such as bench racing. Someone would start to tell the story of something
someone had told him at work that week, and soon we all had to jump in and add
our take to it. The older guys, would always have a more defined position on
it, and the really cool ones could always one up the story, and soon as the
tales got taller, the opinions more important, it was well after midnight, and
within a few hours we would be up and on the road. With new stories to make,
and a bench racing lunch session to relate them. “Did you see that blue ‘62
Vette? Wow” “Can you believe all the traffic, where are they all going?” “Ole
Bill in parts sure was cranky today, what did you say to cheese him off?” And
the lunch banter soon turned to “let’s hit the road,” and we did. As the day
went by, some would drop off, and usually by 4pm it was down to just a couple of
us, and home sounded like a good destination. Saturday night meant dates, to
those who didn’t have wives or old ladies, and a much different brotherhood
ensued that night than the one you had enjoyed last night and today. You used
manners, ate where they took your order at the table, and went by car. Your
date seemed to understand, but after getting all dressed up didn’t want to ride
on a dirty old motorcycle, so you went with it. Or you didn’t go out with
her.
But if you find the right girl, the one who wants to ride, you better. And
some dates tired to understand, but could turn a well meant attitude into
disaster. I met one girl at church, and we shared a chemistry class together.
She had never ridden, and the fact I did made me a bad boy, and excited her.
But on the first date, I dressed up, washed the MG, even shaved, and went to
pick her up. Her mother answered the door, and told me she was still getting
ready, and when she appeared what an impact she made. She was dressed to ride,
and I wasn’t! And she really wanted to ride, “would I go home and get my
bike?” Suddenly the roles were reversed, and I obliged her, she loved it, to me
just a ride in traffic, and afterwards we arranged for another date. So next
Saturday night the bike was cleaned and ready, so was I and off we went. Again
her mother told me she was getting ready, and again I was surprised. She was in
a dress, and looked great-just not to ride. Could I please get my car? Of
course I did, and I saw a pattern being set, I liked her just not the
arrangement. We became friends, just never dated, and many times she would hint
about going for a ride, I was always busy. Or the car was, or the bike was,
or.....who really as in charge here?
What we had there was a failure to communicate. We had met all the
criteria of a good date, just could never agree upon what to go out in, or on.
And somehow I had lost control of the situation, putting a pretty face first,
changing my priorities. Something we are all guilty of, a lesson learned but
that would need updating. Proverbs 16:3 tells us “to commit your works to the
Lord and your plans will be well established.” I wish I had committed my dating
to the Lord back then, but many a date looking for love ended up in the wrong
places. I was committed to me, and used my relationship with my rides and
riding buddies to carry over into dating, and then with God. Without knowing
it, I had boxed God in, I wanted him to be my buddy, my pal, and then add all
the Godly things I wanted. My plans were committed, just not to him. I had
become religious...and the joy others talked of I was missing. When I finally
asked God “what do you want, what are your plans?” that I started to see things
differently, and my actions changed along with my attitudes. And so did my
dating...after I sought him first.
We are told to seek him first, then all things will be added unto you, I
was into the adding on to me first, God second. But you cannot serve God like
that, you cannot put Jesus on hold until you need him. Yet I did, and many did,
keeping him handy like we did the fire extinguishers in the garage, and hoping I
we never needed it. Knowing it was there in case of fire, and hoping we
wouldn’t panic when we did. Does that describe your relationship with Jesus?
Keeping him handy? Do the things in your life reflect that, and you wonder why
going to church, reading your Bible, and praying seem to go nowhere? Are you
seeking the things of life first, then adding Jesus unto them?
God is standing by, that part you got right. But wants to be the Lord of
your life, the most important thing. And when I put him first, the dates
changed. The rides changed, and my friends changed, too. But really it was me
changing, as I started seeing God in a different way, as Lord. I was cool with
the savior part, I just never understood letting him be Lord. I had worshipped
things, I had made other things Gods before me, and I was suffering and didn’t
know it. I was happy, just no joy. And joy in the Lord is where it is at. God
made a commitment to us by sending Jesus, we need to make a commitment to Jesus
to make the relationship work. Jesus is described as the first and the last,
there before creation, and there at the time of the new heavens and earth. And
you can be too, and enjoy it all, saved gets us there, his being Lord makes the
ride worthwhile. Take a simple test, write down the things as they come to mind
of what is important. See where Jesus fits in. You will be surprised and
embarrassed. Now put him first, and see how the other things fit in....what a
difference! And so I do, and repeat the test as needed, just to make sure my
mind is not ruling my heart’s desires. And it will, but we can return and go
on with Jesus.
And when I finally turned to God my dating, I met the woman of my dreams,
and yesterday we celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary. So much more than any
list of desires, God knew exactly who I would need, and for her too who she
would need. And she rides, is a great cook, and most important loves the Lord.
And then me, because when Jesus is first, we have his love and we can then love
each other. We still seek him first, we still ride too. When I finally was
ready, God was waiting. So why make him wait,when you can enjoy the blessings
he has for you today? I still miss the old times spent in the garage bench
racing, but the stories of our love and marriage are way more fulfilling. And
the story goes on today.....Everything I need in Jesus can be found when I put
him first. He knows just what I need, and is sufficient. Remember that next
time you fill your tank, not enough you have to stop too soon, too much it runs
allover your tank. Ruining the finish. Only in Jesus will you have a wonderful
finish, and not ruin the finish on your bike. God knows all about riding,
dating, cooking, what to wear, and who to do it with. We are all committed to
something, mine happens to be the who of Jesus Christ. And look at all the
things he has added to me! God wants to bless you, will you let him?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com