2 score and 4 years ago we rode....

Two score and 4 years ago, circa 1972, Cycle World magazine took the new 1972 Suzuki GT 750 on a ride from Los Angeles to New York, via Texas and Georgia.  A big deal at the time, both the bike and the ride.  The Water Buffalo, as the Suzuki came to be affectionately known as, was a two stroke, 3 cylinder, 750cc motorcycle, that was the first of its kind, and Suzuki billed it as a touring bike.  After track and strip time, it was decided to put it to the test, and three editors would share the ride.  Stating how much different it was from 15 years ago, as bikes had progressed so much, and now we had the Interstate Highway system.  And off they went....

Now you would think they would know a little about riding, but made so many rookie mistakes.  Putting much unneeded stress on both rider and machine.  In the days of pre-o-ring chains, they needed to adjust it and lube it every 130 miles.  Which they used 20 wt. oil for, as they forgot to bring chain lube.  By El Paso the chain and sprockets were gone, and the dealer didn’t have them in stock-some things never change.  So off they rode, and when they couldn’t find any 2 stroke oil, Suzuki’s CCI oil was the best, the 20 wt. went into the oil tank, 2 quarts every 600 miles.  It smoked a bit, but ran.  The bike was losing power, and by Dalton, Georgia, the plus were cleaned, and points gapped.  And off to Long Island, New York, via I-95, and to the Cycle World east coast office.  Where a Suzuki factory tech replace the plugs, the electrodes worn off, and sooty, both from the 20 wt. and using premium gas, before unleaded was all there is today.  Being advised the premium gummed up the plugs, read the manual, it called for regular.  Replaced both sets of points, a new chain and sprockets, and drained the 20 wt. from the tank, refilling it with CCI.  And the bike ran like a bandit again, hitting almost 120 mph!  It seems we can build the best machine technology has to offer, it still takes the nut behind the handlebars to make it all work. 

Some 2 score and 4 years after, yesterday, my friend was going to ride from Escondido to Solvang.  Leaving after lunch, I declined, and when asking his route, he said he would just follow his GPS, which told him it was a 3 hour ride.  Let’s see 280 miles, the 101 on a Saturday, and LA, in 3 hours?  I warned him of traffic, and knew he was going to get stuck in it, which he did.  Proving like Cycle World did 44 years ago, it isn’t about the product, but the end user.  My friend’s ride was 280 miles, round trip in 9 1/2 hours, never getting to Solvang.  Telling Theresa “Mike was right,” and it was cloudy and cold by the time he got home at 930 pm that night.  With so many routes to choose from, 5 to the 405 to the 126 to the 101, or 5 to the 101, or 15 to the 91 to the 71 to the 210 to the 134, or the 118, following the GPS was not the way to go.  Blame it on rider error, and poor choices made.  When in doubt, ask, I knew many alternatives, and better roads, a day wasted in traffic at 31 mph. 

We don’t realize how many dumb things we do, or things we do make no sense.  Works in ministry too, so many well meaning Christians going out and doing things for God, as if more Bible studies, more prayer time, or more praying-all good things, but things that won’t make god love us any more than he already does.  Wood, hay, and stubble, the scriptures call them, and the fires consume them.  Things we think are important we find rally aren’t, as the church found in Matthew 25.  When they bragged on the things they had done for Christ, he told them “be gone, I never knew you.”  They had done things to get noticed, but Jesus pointed out those who fed them, gave them water, visited them in prison and those housebound, and those who welcomed strangers he would know.  For when we honor the least of these, we are doing it unto him.  Lest we forget. 

It is entirely possible that whoever programmed the GPS never rode the routes.  Or even has been on the 101, or could tell Solvang or Pacoima.  It just tells what it was told to do.  And the user needs to trust the programmer.  Good luck.  We have been programmed by the holy spirit, guiding us how and where to live.  How to minister, and how to act towards those he allows in our path.  When Jesus endured the persecutions and the cross, when he finally sat at the right hand of God, he showed us the way, and a destination, and the way to get there.  There will be traffic jams, rain, cold, and you will need fuel along the way.  He will provide, and even when we stray, he is the way back.  Showing us mercy as we carry on.  While some labor in vain, trying to please God by impressing men, God looks upon the details and the heart.  He knows the inner man, and the mistakes we will make.  And prepares the way, just in case we want to turn to him for direction.  There are many ways to Solvang, many great roads to ride, but only one way to heaven.  Jesus.  Easy so we can get it, free so we can afford it.  Looking back, the editors who rode 2 score and 4 years ago were regarded as experts, many read the articles they wrote and followed them.  But it came down to the hands of the end user when riding the Water Buffalo cross country, and the product took the beating.  When it didn’t have to be that way.  They should have known better, yet these were the guys we looked to.

Jesus took our beating because we couldn’t get right with God any other way.  We abuse our lives like the Suzuki was, we forget the basics of chain lube and oil, when we should know better, and pay the price for it.  But we have Jesus who paid the price for our sin, and when we seek him , we can be assured of heaven after the ride.  In the hands of a  loving God, who also is along for the ride.  New parts, fresh oil, and maintenance brought the bike back to life.  Putting in the right fuel made it run like designed.  The spirit is the fuel we have been given for life.  Maybe we just need to drain ourselves of ourselves, and let him fill our tanks.  So we can enjoy the ride.  And live.

Some trust the GPS, some get lost because of it.  They trust something they cannot see to guide them.  Sounds like Christians, who need the spirit to guide them, someone unseen, but trustworthy.  But who follow technology instead of God.  And who never get to where they were going.  Hold fast to Jesus, someday is getting closer everyday, that someday when we see him face to face in heaven.  Until then enjoy the ride, but bring your brain along.  The one God placed in your head, and use it.  Good advice only works when taken, and Jesus is good advice.  Trust and obey, and turn to him when the traffic jams.  One way with Jesus, not one way with your GPS.  The blind following the blind, making life less personal.  Jesus makes it personal.  Jesus died for you, will our GPS do the same?
So things have changed in 44 years, or have they?  Technology marches on, so does sin.  Only Jesus can forgive.  He knows your coordinates by heart, and knows just where you are.  Do you know him?  Or even where you are, or where you are going?  I’ve been to Solvang, and know the way.  I know Jesus, and I am excited about heaven.  The clutter in your life may be as close as the GPS in your hand.  Jesus is closer.  The evidence of a Christ centered life is found in the fruit of the spirit.  And it is only possible to do God’s will when you know it.  By the spirit.  Who gives us both his will and his purpose.  Enjoy the ride....just don’t ask me to follow anything or anyone but Jesus.  Maybe the more things change the more they do stay the same.  Aren’t you glad you can trust Jesus to be that way?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com