The sticker on my pickup says “for some there is psychiatry, for the rest
of us there is motorcycles.” I think that says it all, and for 41 nights this
year, I have spent 38 of the 41 on two wheels. From five days in 109 degrees,
to fighting headwinds in the Midwest and skirting thunderstorms in Indiana, I
have woken up to 31 degrees, saw the most incredible night sky and show at over
8000’, and met new friends, visited with old ones, seen old shops closed down,
new ones open, and can’t wait to do it all over again. For me seat time on a
motorcycle does what no psycho-chiatrist could do, if I need to explain, you
wouldn’t understand. I have been all over Arizona four times, New Mexico three,
and mixed with quick rides to Monterrey to The Quail, rides to lunch that end up
over 200 miles, and break in bikes from the Press Fleet, I feel weird in a car,
disconnected, and no matter the weather, wish I was riding too.
But no matter the length or distance of the ride, somewhere along the way,
it is time to head back, to head home, to catch up on our other life, our
non-road life, to reunite with our puppy, catch up on emails, pay a few bills,
and plan for the next ride. My fried Gerald once told me on every vacation, the
Thursday before your trip ends, your trip begins to unwind, you view things
different. You are heading back instead of heading away, words that prove true,
that day on any ride not looked forward to. Our longest ride ever was 37 days,
31 states, and 11,000 miles. And on that ride and many others, we start looking
for excuses to stay out, if even for only a day longer. Many times we are glad
to get home, God has given us a great home to live in and return to, but we
regularly are glad when the trip is over, but wish it could go on forever. With
each beginning there must be an end, and when we start counting days, they seem
real, they make me feel more mortal. We do not know the day of our death, of
our transition from mortal to immortal, and some days I don’t want to end, while
others I wonder why God has kept me here, like some sort of a punishment. But
in all things, we look to him, as when he is our heart’s desire, we see him
fulfill our lives in an intimate way. Again, if I have to explain, you wouldn’t
understand.
Our riding of late has taken a new course, where we once had destinations,
now we choose a direction. With variations along the way, we seem to see more,
don’t race to get there, and if we see a road that looks interesting and calling
my name, we take it. We know our final destination will be heaven, if you don’t
understand, I can try to explain, but as great as all our rides are here, as
much as I don’t want them to end, I know that someday they will, but my ride
with God will go on forever. That immortality in Christ brings along infinite
time, and an infinite God’s love to enjoy. With him, for without him it is
hell, even on earth. Some live by the old saying, “ride like hell you’ll get
there,” and seem intent on that destination, if only Christians would be as
intent on heaven, how our message may change the world. After being home a few
hours, and catching up on all that has happened, we are ready again. Why does
it take such a short time to catch up on life when gone, but seems to go so slow
when living it?
It has been said that life is what interferes with our plans, but God sees
it differently. For he has plans for us, not to control, but to participate
with us in life. He is along for the ride, and he has provided motorcycles as a
way to spend time with him. How many lessons, praise songs, revelations, and
prayer time has been spent inside my Arai I cannot count, a time where the world
has to stay away, as in God’s temple you find no sin or confusion. Yet as once
we worshipped in temples, now Jesus tells us we are the temple in which the holy
spirit dwells, we can have Jesus 24/7, no matter where we are or what we are
doing. He is no longer just a Sunday service, but a 24 hour traveling
companion, who seems more at home on the road than sitting in a building called
the church. To him we are the church, and where his spirit is, there is
liberty. Freedom from religion, from rules and legalism, a freedom to be who we
are, maybe the hardest thing we will ever do. Those of us who ride know the
freedom of the open road, but how many enjoy the freedom found in Christ?
So I look forward to the day that I leave this earth, but with some
reservations. When talking about death with a friend, I asked if he was afraid
to die. He wasn’t sure, as he had never died before. Fortunately we can have a
conversation with one who has, who chose his day and date, and then who
resurrected just like he said he would. Just like his father wanted it, and
just so we can be reunited with God. For if we never sinned, Jesus would never
have had to die for us. If only we could get that, how our ride through life
would change. How we would enjoy the road. The ride. And he ones waiting for
us at the end.
All bikers know that taking the long way home may not be the fastest, but
can be the most rewarding. Time to unwind, to spend with the Lord, to put the
day behind us. Not all who attend church are saved, not all who ride are going
to heaven. God makes the distinction by one simple answer, and one action on
our part. Who do we say Jesus is? And will we repent and turn to him when we
recognize his deity? so if you are glad when some days, some rides are over,
know that some day they will both go on forever. That in Christ we will need no
headlights, for there is no darkness at all. No more maps, no more planning, no
more hurrying home and wanting to be gone again. Only Jesus, and he will go on
forever. And you can begin that ride right now, no matter where you are.
Forever is a long, long time, I hope we all can experience it with Jesus. One
ride at a time....today. The best and longest ride is yet to come.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com