As an avid motorcyclist, I love to ride the curves in the hills. Or really
anywhere, just a bend in the road will cause a sudden mood change for the
better, as I get to lean and enjoy what the bike was intended for-fun and more
fun. Over the years comparing chicken strips, the area on the edge of the tire
that never makes contact with the road-the smaller or non-existent means the
better or faster corner taking. On most of my rides, there are no strips, even
my new Tiger 800 has had the right foot peg feeler touch, another evidence of
using the corners for max fun. But yet all bikes, as well as all riders are not
created equal, and each ride and rider’s ride can be different. A few summers
back, I had a Rocket, the big 2300cc cruiser for a few days. It had just been
returned from a magazine road test, and when I parked it to look at it, noticed
both peg feelers were worn off, they are about a 1/2” long on the edge of the
foot pegs, and are first to touch. Wow was all I could think, until I noticed
the license plate bent, and also worn off a bit. This guy not only wore off the
peg feelers, but had been doing wheelies on this bike! Suddenly no matter how
fast or how good I was, I was no comparison to this guy. My new hero.
And a few weekends back riding a Thunderbird Storm, I wore off the pegs, at
least wore them down pretty good. And felt fast until some guys passed us on a
double yellow, in some tight curves, curves I was just glad to navigate, these
guys blew by me. Suddenly I felt slow....Now I have done stoppies, usually not
by design or planning, and wheelies also the same way. Yesterday I took off on
the new Thruxton R-what a bike, and accelerating in second got the front wheel
vertical-I felt fast. Until later that day I stopped to show it off to a
dealer, who hadn’t seen one yet. Who proceeded to turn off the traction
control, and then wheelie it. For over 100 yards at a time, accelerating and
upshifting as he goes! For about 15 minutes. I was blown away, impressed and
humbled, as my momentary wheel lifting was nothing compared to his riding
skills. It seems that no matter how good you are, there is always someone out
there who is better. Which doesn’t mean I am not a good rider, but can be a
severe blow to the ego.
We have talked that about today’s new rides being so good that very few
riders will ever use their full potential. We all fall into that category. But
on some bikes that are so good, you must be that much better to fully enjoy
them, raising the bar on your riding skills. Which is why I don’t do group
rides, or group traffic jams as they really are. You only ride as fast as the
slowest person, which takes a lot of fun from your ride. When I used to ride
with a Christian ministry, they would ride slow to facilitate the lesser riders,
and privately many would complain, their ride ruined. And when confronted being
told “you ride too fast,” I responded “you ride too slow.” And while talking
at breaks, which always go on too long, found the slowest person hated the ride
too because everyone was waiting on them. We tell them to ride your own ride,
then we don’t ride ours. Some use all the bike they are riding, sometimes the
bike uses them. Ride your own ride, and be courteous to others riding theirs.
A common courtesy that isn’t so common in real life.
We are all at different levels with the Lord. Some are newbies, and
everything about Jesus is new and exciting. Every study, every sermon, every
testimony excites them. They want all they can get...and God doesn’t fail
them. But over time, they get bored, desiring more than the group can provide
them. They seek new input via Bible studies, one on one with Jesus, and they
grow at an alarming rate. But soon find that their old group, their new found
friends in Christ are falling behind, but really they are growing faster.
Deeper and more personal. And they get shut out of many conversations, as the
basics have been covered, they wanted more from God and are getting it. The
others soon become like back markers in a race, to be avoided so you don’t crash
while passing them. They have not come to the point of allowing others to ride
their own ride in Christ, and feel threatened by anyone who is. We call it
religion, follow the pastor, never stray. And even when encouraged to go
deeper, make sure it is church approved. Yet the ones I love to visit with, the
ones who are growing deeper and experiencing God grow also outside the church.
Personal Bible studies, devotions, and prayer times. Led by the spirit, they
grow in ways that cannot be described by words, but their walk reveals it.
When growing up, we were advised to watch the better tennis or golf
players, to learn from them. You may never be as good, but try your best. You
may fail, but there are other sports. Other rides, and other bikes to ride.
But today where every child passes, we have become dumbed down, and in spiritual
things as well. The ones who seek God and grow can become a burden or a threat
to those stuck in mediocrity, and soon become unwelcome. And when encouraged to
go deeper, recite the list of things why they don’t. Imagine Jesus talking to
his Father this way on the way to the cross? He didn’t because he loved us.
Can we do the same? Can we learn from others via their testimony? Not to
compare ourselves to other believers, but to realize the growth in us, and want
to encourage others?
I know a pastor who is rare. He not only speaks in scriptural terms, he
lives it. His words have meaning. I also know others like me who teach in
concepts or parables like Jesus did. The same only different, each encouraging
others in their walk, and each different. The same spirit guiding us, just two
different walks of love. With Jesus at the center of it. We get excited when
someone grows in the Lord don’t you? So we need to encourage the slow ones to
speed up, not slow us down. God will give you what you need, your choice to go
with it on the ride or stay home. The ride doesn’t start when you throw a leg
over the bike, but when you put up the kickstand, put it in gear and ride off.
Which may give a new definition to kickstands up in your Christian walk. Still
parked engine running, you are going nowhere fast. Revving your engine to brag
how loud your bike is, still not moving? Or are you so familiar with your bike
you want all you can get from it? To eliminate all chicken strips, and wear
away the pegs? Do you want to enjoy your ride to the fullest, or are you only
as fast as the slowest rider? Are you that slowest rider?
You can’t teach experience, but you can experience it. Same with Jesus.
Is your Bible knowledge more than your Christian experience, or your only
experience? Seek more from God, let him bless you. It is not how you compare
to other Christians, but where you are in him. Still stuck on John 3:16? Being
saved is only the beginning. Move on to Romans 3 and 4. To 1 Corinthians 15.
What would have happened if Genesis ended after the beginning? Is your life as
void as the new earth was? Is the spirit hovering over you or is it in you?
Ride your own ride with Jesus. But let him lead. And get excited about
new roads, new friends, and going deeper into the corners. Kickstands up in
your life, and if a wheelie or two is included, so be it. Use all the tire you
have, learn how to brake hard and accelerate fast. Be the best rider you can
and enjoy the ride even more. How you compare to other riders will not get you
to heaven, but you sure can enjoy the earthly ride even more. Today may be more
than the first day of the rest of your life, it can be the first day of a new
ride. A better ride. If only you lean on Jesus more than you lean on your side
stand. No one ever got anywhere standing still. When life throws you a curve
take it. Maybe the only difference between you and the better ones are they are
doing it. Being in one accord with Jesus doesn’t mean riding in one, let no
windshield get between you and God. Lean on Jesus-works in the straights too.
But lean...and enjoy the ride. Or are your training wheels holding you
back?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com