Just to prove that motorcycles are human too, I received a recall for my
2017 Triumph Bonneville T120 yesterday. Seems some careless planning, or was it
design, or was it assembly, has caused some potential problems, where two
harnesses can rub together, causing a potential for one to fail, and along with
it the headlight and turn signals. Maybe even cause the engine to stall. Now
the first two symptoms may forever have eluded me, I very rarely ride at night,
and still use hand signals, I don’t want to be the old fart cruising down the
road with his signals flashing. Plus I was taught to never use your turn
signals when the turn is evident. But the last symptom, the engine turning off,
that one I may notice. The last warning, “increasing the risk of a crash” gets
me, so I will call Mickey, and we will talk about all the foolish things Triumph
is doing while he fixes my bike, and with a grin will tell me it was alright to
start with. Now no one I know wants to have an accident or even plans to have
one, they are accidental, not planned right? But just to make sure......
Meanwhile on the internet, I get an email from Carfax telling me I have an
open recall for my 2000 Nissan Xterra, something about another connection that
may fail. Corrosion, mostly in the Northeastern states, big surprise. But at
185,000 miles and 20 years, do I want to take it in, lose a day and tie up a
tech for an inspection? That’s all you get here. Or do I live in constant fear
that one day the warning will come true...Now two things bother me about this
one, one I never told Carfax I owned the vehicle, and two how did they know?
Seems the record of this car goes way beyond anything I would have cared to
know, but somehow Carfax does. If they can have all the information about a 20
year old Nissan, imagine what they might have on you....
In 1975 when I sold my custom van, registered at my Grandparent’s home in
Pennsylvania, Jersey yanked my ticket, it seems the plates stay with the
vehicle. And one day they got a visit from the State Police, it had been used
in a bank robbery, did they know where I was. After explaining I didn’t own the
vehicle or live there anymore, they passed on me as a suspect. The new owner
never registered it, and my Grandpa, true to his character, didn’t exactly know
where I was. He knew I was living in Albuquerque, but wasn’t sure where, or
what part of the house I may be in, so quietly and accurately answered, “I don’t
know,” because he didn’t. If only all honesty were so blunt....
Scripture proclaims that we all will face judgment before the seat of God
someday. That every knee shall bow, under the earth and above. Every, a sort
of all, includes everything, excludes nothing. But yet many toy with God as if
he were a judge to be influenced, or doesn’t know all the facts. We are told he
looks at the heart, that it is deceitful, and starting in Genesis that every
imagination of the heart was evil continuously. Every again. And it bummed him
out. So he sent the flood, and we all know the outcome. We had been given
another chance, he had sent the recall notice and only those in the ark were
saved. All the others didn’t respond to him, and made fun of Noah and family.
Seems in every generation God shows us his love and also the consequences for
our sin, yet we neglect the notice. And make excuses like I do for my Xterra.
It has been 20 years, it won’t break...and just like God’s promise of the return
of Jesus, it just hasn’t happened yet. He is patient so that none should
perish. The warning signs are everywhere, just read the headline, anti-Semitism
rising, right being wrong and wrong being right, families disintegrating, and
evil rearing its evil head everywhere. Yet some deny it, blind to how much God
loves them, and is patient. “Where is the promise of his return?” they
mock.
I used to pray for Jesus to return soon, now I know that his patience leads
to salvation, and if he had come one day before I was saved, it was hell for
sure. Might just change the way we worship or love others. To some he has
already issued recall notices, and taken them home. To others, he is patient,
and yet to too many, he already knows they will never repent, and they leave
earth bound for hell. We are all given the same recall notice via Jesus, what
are you doing with yours? Do you think you can tempt God? My recalls state
“the condition may exist,” are you willing to live your life based on your
eternal outcome that your condition may exist? Or may not? All have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God.....
Now if Carfax can track me down with a 20 year old vehicle, don’t you think
Jesus can find you where you are right now? Cain tried hiding from God, and was
going to kill his brother as long as he was Abel. Jonah tried going against the
tide, and ended up on shore. And it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. So
what makes you think you can avoid any recall by God almighty?
My letter ends with “we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause
you. However we have taken this action in your best interest.....” For God so
loved the world he sent Jesus in your best interest. The letter goes on “we
appreciate your attention and cooperation in this important matter.” That none
shall perish. Yet have everlasting life. Long before Triumph made motorcycles
God was busy with recalling us to himself. And made it easy. Your name never
leaves his file, he is patient with you, and wants his will done in your life.
His will, that you know Jesus and are saved. A recall notice that for some is
overdue, and for some today will be their day of salvation.
Maybe I just might make an appointment with the Xterra. It isn’t important
how they know, just that they do. If only we would use the same logic with
God.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com