Friday, March 10, 2017

life before the electric leg




















If you started riding less than 35 years ago you may not recognize the lever on the right side of older motorcycles.  The kick starter as its name implies its purpose, disappeared altogether after a 100 year run, finally replaced by an electric leg, the push button starter.  And if you started riding less than 10 years ago you don’t know how to start a carbureted bike.  Old English bikes, and the Dell Ortos on my R90S had ticklers, hold them down until the gas runs on you shoe, then in my case push the button and pray the god of Varta will spin the motor.  But real men as we used to call them, per their insistence, would them try to kick start their bike to life, and if it didn’t light off in two kicks, you pushed it and hoped.  Which is why many of us still park facing downhill, just in case.  And why so many old English bike owners walk with a limp from the kick starter coming back and smacking them in the ankle, causing great pain and cussing.  A far cry from today, where you pull in the clutch, the government providing for those who try to start the bike in gear, and ride away.  Computer controlled engines and fuel injection is almost invisible, and flawless.  No more learning how to adjust a choke, waiting to ride off until the bike is warned up, and instant karma for old riders.  Life before the electric leg made you a participant in starting your bike, and helped you work up a sweat on cold days, and hot ones too.  And learning new combinations of impossible physical positions.  One push of the button and  you can ride away...if you don’t forget to put up the side stand.
For if you do, the bike will stall, and not restart until you are in neutral, and not move until the stand is up.  So much thinking for just a small task.  No wonder hipsters need an extra large latte after riding a few blocks!  But the electric leg, and side stand monitor, along with other things not seen but trusted make our riding experience more enjoyable.  Now if we can only get out of the driveway safely...and the ride goes on.  Old bikes and their riders will still be with us along time I hope,  but only one thing is eternal, and when we see that it makes it other things make sense.  And why we need an electric leg.
The second law of thermodynamics states all things are in a perpetual state of atrophy, they are getting worse, not getting better.  In Romans it is called the bondage to decay, written 2000 years before scientists proved it.  But fortunately we are new creatures in Christ, and the old is passed away, and a new heart is created within us.  We begin to live by different principals, among them love and forgiveness showed via grace in the holy spirit.  Yet we cling to the old creation, causing disputes among families, churches, and others because we will not let go and let God.  True love demands a choice, and when Jesus is the choice, we see the seeds of love, joy, and peace take root.  We can then reach out in love to others, now.  No teaching, extra study or praying will replace or hasten what the spirit has given to you already upon salvation.  The process is instantaneous, just waiting for you to begin a new life. Until then we are like a cocoon, waiting for the secular world to penetrate us and release us.  Nothing physical can replace the things of the spirit. None. 
And the mystery is revealed.  You are either part of the new or part of the old.  You cannot do both.  And like the kick starter that hung around after the electric leg, it soon went away, and we push the button in faith, with no back up if it doesn’t.  When we cross over into the new in Christ, the same faith that saved us will enable us every day.  It will give us wisdom and insight when needed.  Comfort us and guide us.  All at the push of a spiritual button.  We can break loose from bondage, and ride and live in Christ.  He provides the power, all we need to do is access it.  For years I was wary of only having the electric leg, now I trust it without reservation.  Can we trust the spirit the same way?  What proof do we need?  Is it for us or to prove to the the world about Jesus?  If only we trusted him to start our day as we do to start our bikes how different our rides would be. 
But trust is funny, either you do or you don’t.  And if you doubt, you aren’t.  But what if when the button is pushed it doesn’t start?  You will never know until you trust it to.  Same with Jesus.  Yet some still end up the old ways, claiming they are better.  And limp through life bruised and beaten.  While those in Christ ride.  Seems like a simple choice doesn’t it?  Yet still park facing downhill just in case.  None of us is getting any younger, and the sins of our youth will show more as we age.  Turn to Jesus today, experience the miracle of being born again, welcome the spirit into your life and ride knowing you are never alone.  Allow the spirit to keep your battery charged, knowing that while others try and fail, you will be enjoying life everlasting.  Old ways, old bikes, and old times have a way of creeping up on us when we least expect them.  Break the law today, experience freedom in Christ, live in the spirit and start to live again.  Let the spirit tune your life and when you hit bumps, know he is there to get you through.  There is still a prince of darkness other that Lucas electrics. 
Next week, why we need suspensions.  Dedicated to those who limp from riding hard tails.  Again why we need shock absorbers, and the one named Jesus.  See isn’t riding simple when you trust the Lord? 
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com