I knew Donna and Donna knew Gene. She arranged a meeting for us because we
both rode BMW’s, and neither one of us knew what to expect. Gene had wanted to
meet me because I had an R90S, and I wanted to meet him because he was the
organist in the first rock band I ever saw play live, The Flock. A real long
hair in 1967, the memory of that afternoon and hearing him play Good Lovin’ by
The Rascals had insured him a place in my teen age memory book. But here seven
years later, a friendship would begin, and we would take many rides together.
But Gene also knew Phil, who loved BMW’s, and had a shop in Ridgefield,
Connecticut, next to Danbury, where the Marcus Dairy Bar was, a Sunday hangout
for those who rode. Immortalized in a Kawasaki ad in the eighties. My BMW a
hit, so Gene got some notoriety, and his fame and mine, no matter how shallow
was added to our resume. It was Phil who would prep my bike when I moved west
in November 1975, Phil who would chase me in his sidecar, his wife taking
pictures of me in the curves. All because I knew Donna and she knew Gene.
Being buddies, I let him ride my R90S, and he was hooked, which was tough
on a starving musician at the time. He was in another dimension when riding it,
royalty among the elite, as only those who were crazy or rich bought $3400
motorcycle in 1974. Note, I wasn’t rich. But one ride back from Phil’s with
Gene riding the S, me on his R75/5 complete with Windjammer, changed our opinion
of German engineering, and Gene’s riding. Riding down the Sawmill River
Parkway, I stopped for a pee break, and Gene went flying past, eyes huge through
his helmet, faster than I had ever seen him go. I could see the terror so took
chase, catching up to him, and he kept pointing at the right carb, yelling what
I thought was “It’s stuck!” In a moment of clear thinking, I pointed to the
kill switch, and soon we both were stopped on the side of the road. Gene
excited, scared, exhilerated, and shaken. “The throttle stuck open wide and I
couldn’t stop it!” Which upon examination showed the cable to the right Dell
‘Orto had snapped, and the carb stuck open wide, and backing out of the throttle
had not effect. But a quick call to Phil, after this laughter, calmed both of
us down, “just ride home on the one cylinder. You’ll be fine, and bring it up
next week.” With some last line about the importance of packing clean underwear
to Gene. But home we did make it, riding our own bikes, and the S still cruised
at 70 in these early 55 mph days. It had so much torque it would get going,
even if not very quick, but hold its speed well. For many years after we told
the story of riding back from Phil’s, I am sure Gene’s was a bit different than
mine, but we both would laugh. We used to joke how a bike that powerful could
get you into trouble, we both never knew how and when it would, or could.
Funny how not being the one in the situation had given me a cool head,
although it was my bike. Many times as Christians we neglect to see how God has
things under control in our world. We learn and tell of how Jesus died on the
cross, how it was God’s plan, but forget or neglect to know that just as he had
the whole situation in hand, he has ours in control also. So instead we go to
constantly begging, crying, complaining, doubting, praying, and wailing about
our situation. With the lack of faith really saying “what is your problem God,
where are you?” We neglect to fall back on our teachings, and fail to see how
God is preparing us via the experience to know him better. How in times of
turmoil he is with us, and has the storm, the sickness, or the broken ride under
control. We panic, he never does, for it is all as he planned it. Nothing
surprises God, but much about God surprises us. When God revealed to Jeremiah
about him being the potter and us the clay, we forget it is the fingers of God
shaping us, removing the impurities, and smoothing us out. Making a lump of
clay into a useful product. But we too often go right to the cracked pots story
in Corinthians, or the story of the shards of pots in the field of blood, where
Judas was buried. Broken pots that had no purpose and were thrown away. Maybe
that is how God found us, but not where or how he wants to leave us. We fail to
see the hands of the potter shaping our lives, making us into what he wants us
to be, and giving us life. All we see is the dirt, the mud, and the dizziness
of spinning on the wheel. When truly he is preparing us and guiding us for the
pressures of life to come. He guards us from danger....instead of panic when
the throttle sticks open.
But just as Phil knew how to get us home, how it was no big deal because he
knew all about BMW’s, we too have access to dealing with all life’s problems via
Jesus. He left us his spirit to guide, protect, comfort, and show others the
way. Jesus never panicked, even unto death, can we say the same? Out of our
mouths come so much faith until the situation arises.....You may be the broken
vessel today, or you might just be scratched, or hurting and confused, Jesus
isn’t. He knows far better than we ever will about pain and suffering,
desertion and loneliness. He knows rejection, when friends turn on him, and all
seems to dark to go on. But he knew his father who never left him, who he
trusted, so when the cross came, he knew what he had to do, but also only in his
father’s will would it be done, that without his father he could not do it. and
such a promise he gives us. We can do all things in Christ who gives us
strength. No matter how broke a pot you are, or how broken your throttle cable,
he is in control!
It is always easier to not panic when a friend is, so keep Jesus as your
best friend. He never panics, and will see you through. I knew Bill, who knew
Donna, who knew Gene, and I knew them all. But knowing Jesus makes my life
work. From broken cables to exploding aortas, he knows and we can too. We may
know the word, but when we know the one who is the word personally, when our
clay begins to take a useful shape, when the wheels are spinning and out of
control, he isn’t and we really aren’t either. Something to think about the
next time you swap rides, or find a lump in your clay. We are told of the
blessings for those that believe, but somehow are more comfortable with the
curses. You may be one broken cable away from needing Jesus, one doctor’s
visit, one argument with your spouse. But when we realize we are truly in the
potter’s hands, we relax and enjoy the ride even more. Knowing that what ever
comes, Jesus is prepared for it and has overcome it. You may be a cracked pot,
but Jesus lets you decide where you will end up. He did Judas too, Judas denied
him. Don’t you, we have enough crack pots running loose. I made it home on one
cylinder, but I did make it home, and that made the difference in the ride.
Ride your own ride, knowing we will only make it home in Christ.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25bikr.blogspot.com