Part of my duty when selling motorcycles for Motorsport, was working the
parts counter when it got busy. Long before the internet, and parts fiche were
still a new item, a customer would come in, tell you what he thought he needed,
and you would interpret, and try to find it. From mothers trying to source
parts for their sons, “I don’t know what year, it’s blue, says Honda on it.
It’s the thingee that makes it run...” and the race was on. Finally through
shear determination, and luck with patience, we would figure out she needed a
valve cover gasket, for a Suzuki TS 185, the Honda sticker was from the dealer
who once sold it used. Exasperating, the worse version was trying to do this
over the phone. And once you figured it out, you went to physically check for
it on the shelf. In the old days of parts cards, at best they weren’t up to
date. But you learned about parts, patience, and tried to remember when you
sent your wife or girlfriend for that certain thingee.
But selling BMW, Triumph, and Suzuki, it was interesting at each
manufacturer’s approach. Triumph color coded their part’s book each year, and
with only a few models, repetition made it easier, along with the fact they
broke more often and needed more parts. Their books a little more than a
pamphlet today, with had drawn pictures, and foreign words to us colonists.
BMW’s book was thick, like a little phone book, great pictures, and both books
had numerous notes hand written inside and on the cover. Some useful, some a
phone number when no scratch paper was available, and many a page tattered and
oil stained. Our particular copy even had some pages torn out, but folded over
and reinserted, misplaced but never lost. But Suzuki had this parts fiche,
where you could see the parts page blown up on a screen, and show it to the
customer. Later we would learn to get a VIN number to research parts easier,
and make mental notes when going back to the parts section to physically find
them. It was learn as you go, every customer an open book test with new
variations on a question, and that was just for factory parts. There was always
accessory catalogs, usually with “COUNTER COPY” written on them in Magic Marker,
or “DO NOT REMOVE” which usually could be found in the reception area, away from
the counter. But somehow when all the confusion came together, you found the
right thingee, and it was in stock, on the shelf where it was marked, all was
well with the world...at least until the next customer.
I was reminded Monday when looking for bags for my new Tiger XRx of how
things had changed. A generation newer than me, he knew how to use the search
buttons, but couldn’t navigate very well. With my help, not asked for, but
later appreciated, we found what I needed, and ordered them. But it reminded me
of how important the parts guys are, how their knowledge and experience cannot
be discounted, and even with computers to help us seek and scan, nothing teaches
the one thing that cannot be taught-experience. I thought of parts men I knew,
who were up on the latest, who knew what parts you needed to finish the job, and
their status, either on the shelf or back ordered. Guys with name like Bud,
Speedy, Tiny, or Gears, who with Pall Mall stained fingers guided gracefully
through the torn pages of old books, and knew exactly where everything was. How
a thingee was different from a widget, from a whatchacallit. He knew his parts,
his bikes, and his customers, and kept more in his head than most keep in
files. He was underpaid, usually the negotiator when calling around to find
one, and knew how far and how long the part would really take to arrive. The
really good ones wore glasses, usually found on top of their head, only brought
into reading position when needed. They are the guys who when someone says
“they forget more than you will ever know” come to mind. There are still some
good ones, but mostly they are gone. No one wants to take the time to learn any
more, business will not allow it, and today it can be frustrating dealing with
the new guy. But remembering how we are all new once helps, but still tries our
patience. Particularly when it comes to them standing between us and
riding.
“Are you in the word?” I hear from pastors and Bible study leaders. And
many are, memorizing, reciting, and knowing just what page John 3:16 is on in
their Bible. Today we have more Bible students than ever before, who know the
word, and can be called upon to recite it, chapter and verse. But unlike the
parts guys of my past, cannot apply it when needed. For I am amazed that in all
their learning and studying, they overlook the scripture that tells us “God will
write his word on or hearts.” Or that when we are questioned, that the holy
spirit will give us the words we need. But you need to get out and live outside
the four walls of study to use them, and many don’t. Or won’t. Confusing
knowledge for wisdom, they can recite the Bible, just don’t know God who wrote
it. They may be saved, and serve at church, but come up empty when it comes to
witnessing and ministering. Education they proclaim, and many churches have
schools of theology, along with schools for children to learn. But until you
have the application of the education, it is just facts and figures learned.
Information not used, but learned. They lack the guidance of the spirit in
their lives, and fall back on themselves, rather than Jesus when tested. They
study to find themselves approved, but fail when tested, for without the spirit
who reveals the mysteries of Christ, their words are hollow, lack meaning and
substance. They are impersonal, but yet sound impressive to one another. Maybe
the answer to them when asked “are you in the word?” is, “Is the word in you?”
Jesus is the word, and when he comes into your life he gives you the spirit, his
spirit, yet many avoid it. They try to serve a God who is a spirit by using
physical properties, and it cannot be done. Some day we all need Jesus, the
questions will come up that we cannot answer, and we will need the spirit of God
to guide us.
Finding the scripture is one thing, like locating the right part, but
knowing its application, and finding it on the shelf are different things. So
when I wonder where have all the partsmen gone? I also wonder where is the holy
spirit in our lives? Have we become so knowledgable that we don’t know
anything, or do we know so many things, we don’t know God? Only in Jesus will
you find the right parts when you need them. And Jesus not only quoted Old
Testament scripture, he taught in parables, and in concepts, showing application
as needed. Using principals rather than words sometimes to show the application
needed, but always in love. Many times the answer in the form of a question,
making us think and seek him more, to go deeper than the words on the page. A
story that bears repeating, of a pastor with a flock, underground, for Jesus is
not spoken of without penalty of death. Who have no Bibles, but who has one
page, from the book of Acts, and has been teaching from it for 20 years, and
still hasn’t used both sides! For it is the spirit that quickens our heart, how
does your knowledge of the word compare with it being written on his heart? Is
he in the word, or is the word in him?
You cannot teach experience, and Jesus must be experienced to fully know
him. Only by his spirit are we saved, not by might or by his power. By his
spirit we have been called, and can be guided. He is a spirit and must be
worshipped as much. As you go, and are spreading the gospel, you find it is not
what you know, but who you know that makes the difference. Knowing scripture
concerning Jesus may help you get to heaven, but he is the only way to heaven.
And his word is written on your hearts already, and can be shared by nothing
less than your testimony. You may be able to quote him, I get excited when you
live him. When I see him in your actions and attitudes. You may forget more
scripture than I’ll ever know, but give me his spirit any time, in any
situation. Application of an education, evidenced in our daily walk.
So next time you wonder why I don’t always carry a Bible, you failed to see
how God has written it on my heart. Simply put, “the things seen are temporal,
the things not seen are eternal.” Look it up in Corinthians, it’s there. May
we all become partsmen for the gospel of Jesus Christ, ready when needed, and
having the word written on our hearts. As it has been said better than I can,
“preach the word daily, if if necessary use words.” Let your life be the
counter copy of the Bible, found where needed, and whether in print or on a
fische, share it with others. That special order part called the holy spirit
has been in stock the whole time, you just thought he was back ordered. Take
the time to read, Jesus took the time to bleed. You might be that one needing
the thingee of salvation, and words and knowledge will never get you there. It
is that personal, let the spirit show you today. You may find it in the book,
but only when you find it in your heart will you be saved. And the mysteries
revealed.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com