The projected high here today is a cool 72 degrees, down from the 91 while
eating lunch in Redlands yesterday. Like a Minnesota summer, if you were put of
town that weekend you missed it, but we know summer will be here soon. I hope.
But yesterday’s ride was unique because there was really nothing unique about
it, until I thought about. Having a motor cop wave and smile at a light, he
knew too. Riding the back roads of once rural Riverside county and now a sea of
large warehouses, all those Amazon orders must get filled somewhere. But it was
a ride perfect for the Bonneville, nowhere in particular to go and all day to
get there. So I just enjoyed the ride, slower than on weekends, when everyone
confined to 48 hours of riding needs to get their fill, and somehow managed to
ride 180 miles in five hours. Including time for a shake, they used to be
called milk shakes, at In and Out. Just sitting there watching the people in a
hurry, and looking at the Bonne not in a hurry. Each person consumed with their
own agenda, and I guess I fit right in, although my agenda was no agenda. I
ended up riding roads familiar but at speeds less than familiar and noticed how
things are rapidly changing here. Ever notice how many stop lights there are?
And how a stop sign in the middle of nowhere can interrupt the rhythm of the
ride? How one Prius in the fast lane doing their best to interrupt traffic can
upset you? But somehow none of that mattered....I’ll deal with the yuck in the
Prius later. We all need rides and days like yesterday’s ride, if for other
reason than to escape life for awhile and all the self induced drama in it. If I
caught you smiling and nodding your head you know what I mean...
I marvel sometimes at the decisions I make. And wonder about others. A
neighbor is selling his home, and has just spent many thousands sprucing it up.
When I asked him why did he wait until selling to make it his dream home, he
said now he had the time and money. I wonder why fix it up and finally sell
it? Isn’t it like you always wanted finally? And you are going to sell it?
Talking with our new gardener, he advises me my green grass will be gone in 30
days, it is field grass. Yet I fuss over it, he cuts its, and I spend money on
watering it. Only so it can die.....maybe I should sell and move on. Sitting
at a light I watch a station selling gas for 3.799 and busy, while across the
street it is 20 cents cheaper and only a few cars. Getting home an email from a
friend who sells Harleys hears I don’t ride for Triumph anymore, “do I want to
trade?” For what? And finally watching the NCAA championship, and one of the
leaders of the losing team in tears, where just two nights ago he was praising
God for the victory? Did I miss something here too? Did God change or is he
only worthy of praise when we win? Then it’s off to bed, awaiting Tessie’s 5
o’clock breakfast call.....
I have heard over the years of men who physically sit a prayer closet, but
for me the spirit has given me a motorcycle. When a friend cancelled yesterday,
I was glad to be alone and spend time out in the air with God, not locked in
some closet in the dark. So often we neglect that God has all things under his
control, and he has provided for us ahead of time. But God in his wisdom has
given us humanity, take out the human part and it is a pity. Almost. Eating a
sandwich we can see how man does not live by bread alone, without the bread it
is just random ingredients on a plate, but put between two slices of bread, it
becomes a meal. But without the ingredients we have just bread. The life of a
Christian is like that, we cannot live by just bread alone, we need to have the
words from God to guide us and assure us. We need the spirit to accompany us,
yet we talk too much and listen too little. Did God say “he who has a mouth let
him speak?” Yet we refuse to listen for the spirit, sometimes encouraged by a
zealous pastor or church, and miss out on Jesus altogether. The bread of life
Jesus speaks of is the holy spirit, that we will never be alone, without needs
met, and with the hope of glory ahead. Or with us now, as wherever his spirit
is he is present, we don’t have to wait for heaven to be fulfilled. On earth as
it is in heaven. A promise from our daily bread, but only if we partake in it.
Yet some only nibble, while others pass on it altogether, seeking God’s will but
denying his spirit-his will.
I come from a background of Bible teaching, of knowing the word, but
discovered something lacking in knowledge. I was no smarter than the devil, who
knows scripture by heart, he was there when it was written. But yet we try to
understand the mind of God as if that will bring us closer. But really to build
pride in us, as “I know something you don’t know.” Sounding like that obnoxious
girl in fourth grade. But who can say in love “I know someone you don’t know?”
And by our actions and attitudes prove Jesus. Is God truly your Jehovah Jireh,
your provider? Or are you like the player giving God the glory only in
victory? Do you study scripture or just read the letters of Paul, as letters,
as they were written? Whose commentaries do you use? Are you fixing up your
physical house on earth and neglecting your spiritual one? Maybe a hybrid
Christian, a Prius in the church taking up space and blocking traffic with
doctrinal issues, but showing no love? All this and more the spirit and I shared
yesterday.....
So yesterday’s ride was more than a motorcycle outing, more than the
weather, and more than a huge carne asada burrito. It was about time well spent
listening and talking with my God. Communing in the spirit, and looking at the
world through his eyes. How I long to get to heaven, but I have a new desire to
wait, that none shall perish, God’s will for us. To see things through his
eyes, and change me, not change him to satisfy me. And I will leave you with a
thought he planted in my brain. Try reading Psalm 23 as if Jesus were speaking
it. Talking to his father in a very personal way. Seeking and trusting, even
though he knew what lays ahead. He understood the valley of the shadow of
death, he understood fearing no evil. He understood that God is always with
him. He understood not wanting because God provided for him all his needs.
Listen to his prayers, they are for others. Except for one, but knowing God’s
will for him he obeyed. His daily bread can be ours via his spirit. Fresh
every morning, flavorful and fulfilling. The Lord is my shepherd. Repeat that
until you believe it. It will change how you worship and live. Maybe
yesterday’s ride was far better than I gave it credit for. Don’t do the same
thing with Jesus.
Meanwhile in Minnesota....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com