I had a 1975 Z-1 back when they were the hot set up on the street. The
fastest bike on the street except in my hands. So when Kawasaki released their
retro 900, the z900RS, based on the original Z-1, I looked. And looked again,
and again....even priced one, considering trading one of my children, er bikes
in the midst of it. Cruising bike shops last week with Nick, I found one in the
brown/orange color like the 1973’s, and negotiated a price. But had many
questions, so called Kawasaki customer service, asked for tech, and was told
they handle all questions. Mine were simple....about when are the services due,
and what grade of gas does it run. Something every salesperson should know,
right? So as this increasingly unfriendly girl looked up the answers, she said
she was browsing the owners manual online. “It’s on page 55, except the manual
is for Euro and Australian bikes.” She got ruder. Then about the servicing,
“it’s on page....” and she finally said, “a guy who works here has one, let me
get him, hold on...” Not sure to what but after my phone started beeping low
battery I hung up. Finding I had lost interest in the bike. Helping me make my
decision to keep the family intact. Sadly this is not an isolated
incident....why did I even bother to call?
When working for Land Rover, we had to call in for their extended warranty
coverages. They were usually pretty good with the codes, but the new ones you
occasionally got could tie you up forever, particularly when it was busy or just
an easy coverage, like a head gasket. Note-they all leak. So when talking with
a new girl one afternoon, I walked her through the policy. “That’s on page 6,
look up under head. Look up hoses under cooling.” We were both working from
the same book! Only I got it, well at least compared to her. And the nightmare
continues....
Seems we are not taught to find the answer, only to find the page. And not
very well. I may be weird, no comments please, but when I call a customer
service line, I expect them to know more than me. Not have to help them. With
a unique experience long ago. Remember AOL, man you must be old. My new Compaq
computer wouldn’t function right, calling the number I got a tech from AOL. Who
said he could fix it. And laughed. “I designed that program, let me help you
with some other updates.” He actually knew what he was doing, and had answered
a phone to help his other coworkers. I hope they were listening, or he left
them notes. And of all things on a computer. Wonder if he knows if I can use
regular in that z900RS? One number I wish I had kept.....
“I know I read it somewhere, or took notes on it last Sunday,” the reply
was. “But I can look it up,” if I don’t forget the question before you get
back to me. With so much emphasis on reading the Bible, which is a good thing,
we discount the holy spirit given us by Jesus. Who reveals all the mysteries of
Christ to us. Where Paul tells us we are stewards of the mysteries of God that
are given us when saved, via the spirit. We have access to all the wisdom of
God when asked if we rely on the spirit, and I am amazed at how weak I can be in
Bible memorization, but how amazing I can be at answering a question. Seems we
don’t always have to quote the scripture when it is only a question of concept.
Too many details, too much confusion. Just remember the gospel is simple so we
can get it. But what are the mysteries God answers?
The mystery of the Kingdom, of God at work historically and today. How he
is working in each life personally, but also reflected in headlines of the day
in worldly events. Where we see his purpose carried out. Revealed to us by his
spirit. The mystery of lawlessness, why every generation seems to deal with the
same problems of sin. Not learning from the previous one. Yet he forgives.
But the contrarian view is how a Christian can live and function in a fallen
world, and prosper. Not becoming worldly, but still following the spirit and
finding success in life. Playing the world’s game just not by their
rules.
Christ in you, the hope of glory. Do we really believe we have the spirit
of Jesus in us? Listen to your prayers...answers not found on page 55. Do you
realize that you have his strength,wisdom, and power, to act available to you at
any time when needed? And that when you do, you have the ability to perform
correctly? The mystery of godliness, transforming us daily into the image of
Jesus Christ, a true demonstration of how we are in the world, just not part of
it. All based on our ability to choose the spirit.
And finally the church, the on earth body God has created to take his
message to the world. To be firmly placed in the world, where the battles are,
where the wounded are, and where the casualties are. To be the society that God
is providing to a lost and dying world, with no denominational barriers. Where
we have the power to repel the world and make a difference. A far cry from many
Sunday morning gatherings, called church. God rested after six days to admire
his creation, we fuss about 90 minutes a week to worship him.
I’ll leave you with this thought. When Jesus asked Philip where and how to
feed the 5000, his answer was no different than the one given by an atheist, or
any other non-believer. It was based on the worldly view and not on the
spirit. Do you think Jesus ever asked a question without first knowing the
answer? How would you have answered? God has equipped us with his spirit to be
the stewards to the world it needs. To answer the questions and take care of
the lost and hurting. He has entrusted us to serve without fear and with favor,
so they can experience the ecstasy of knowing Jesus before heaven calls. Jesus
told his disciples “on earth as it is in heaven.” You may not be called to fed
5000, just one may be too many. But in the spirit, we can do all things in
Christ who gives us strength. That’s customer service, maybe the answer I was
looking for was given by the girl at Kawasaki. “Let me go ask a guy who owns
one.” In Christ, in his spirit. I hope you can be that guy too. In the
spirit.
With a reminder, not all societies have access to Bibles like we do. They
rely on God’s spirit daily. Wonder how we would function in their world? In
the word, or is the word in you? Big difference, a mystery no more. All
without turning a page....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com