When the road calls many us answer with a resounding “yes!” As much as we
love our home, sweet home, there is a romance and a siren’s call that says
“go!” And so we do. And when that final moment arrives and we push the starter
button and the electric leg fires off, our mind set changes, and as the house
disappears in our rear view mirror, we have nothing but the road to look ahead
to. With one dilemma that needed to be overcome, the time to leave and who we
are leaving with. Over the years I have ridden with groups, by myself, and with
certain friends who ride like I do, Or as they do. You quickly learn you only
ride as fast as the slowest guy, and only as far as the smallest gas tank can
go. So the list of co-riders has dwindled, and today almost all of my rides,
our rides are just us. We have confidence in each other, and spend more time in
the saddle than talking about it. For example.....
I have a friend who to beat the crowded traffic, leaves at two in the
morning, finishing his riding day before noon. Exhausted and his body now out
of synch, to me he has put himself on a schedule we are trying to get away
from. So our variation on the theme is leaving the night before after work.
Bike packed, fueled the night before, and ready to go. Just kiss the dog, say
goodbye to whoever is watching her, and we are off. Taking a short 200-250 mile
ride before darkness hits, getting a good night’s sleep, and starting off ahead
of the game, after waking up on our first night on the road. It may not work
for everyone, but it does for us, and the hundreds of thousands of miles prove
it. Prepare Thursday night for leaving Friday, instead of packing at the last
minute. I might have only made it to Tenderfoot, but the Boy Scout in me still
says “be prepared.” At least when it comes to riding, I am.
But for many, their life is mostly “at the last minute.” So out of
control, they inflict their malady on others, so again, we ride alone. Nothing
like spending a late afternoon by the pool, and going to dinner, only to see the
clock waster just checking in, exhausted. Wondering how we do it, but rather it
is how they don’t do it. We have taken care of last minute things the night
before, and reduce the burdens of our ride. It seems to work in other things
too, would you want open heart surgery from a guy who isn’t prepared? Who
hasn’t studied what to do? Who asks “which patient is mine, and what is he here
for?” How many trips to Home Cheapo does it take to complete a job you
started? Got the nails but forgot the hammer. Remember the things your mother
taught you, drop it, pick it up. Open it, close it. Turn it on, turn it off.
Leaving on a trip, be ready the day before. The last one at our house, not all
moms are so cool. So why you may be packing, getting fuel, looking for your
keys, arguing with whoever you are going with, or waiting for whoever was
supposed to arrive at 530 and now it is 8 o’clock, we’re riding. And you wonder
why ever time you ask to go with us we are not interested...
If you have been paying attention, you might notice many Christians a life
in Christ like this. Their relationship is all over the board, and when they
get together, they seem to congregate with each other. They have Jesus in their
life, but there is no evidence of him. They have become harsh and critical, and
become unloving and demanding of others. They are the ones who are always late
for church, walking in and interrupting the service, and if anyone calls them on
it, they call them unloving, inconsiderate. I guess when they are rude it is
OK. And don’t try to counsel or help them, they are convinced it is not their
fault, they pray, but don’t listen, study but have no wisdom, and fill a pew,
leaving a pew of their own. Walking in darkness, because no evidence of the
spirit is evident in their lives, they follow their own understanding, and soon
find themselves segregated from the group, before they cause damage to it.
Blaming the church or the pastor, but never looking at their own sin. They are
in darkness because they do not walk in the light of the spirit. Darkness is
simply the absence of light, and God is light, in him is found no darkness at
all. They believe in God, but live like he doesn’t exist.
Have you ever noticed that the growth that comes in Christ comes when you
acknowledge your sin, then repent and are forgiven? Many do, but stop there.
Jesus is my savior, but not my Lord. And no one who is not saved can say “Jesus
is Lord.” If we had to study to find ourselves approved to get to heaven, how
many would fail the final? How many would even study?
It is tough to catch the train after it has left the station. Or to ride
with the group after it has hit the road. In all cases we knew when the train
was leaving, when the kick stands were up, and when church started. What we
don’t know is the time or date when Jesus will call us home. So he warns us,
yet many cannot even be like the Ten Virgins who at least kept oil in their
lamps. Without the spirit there is no light, without light we are in darkness.
Stumbling through life is bad enough, but when it happens to a Christian, how
does it look to the world? “They do that thing they call sin, and so do I, why
are they different?” Well, go ahead, explain that one to me. But when I get
back, you see I’m already packed and gone. All your planning is wasted if you
never leave the driveway. All of God’s blessings are wasted if you aren’t in
his light. Paul asks us “to examine ourselves in the faith.” Only in the light
will you see the answers, and know what question they answer.
Or of course you can take the bus, just don’t be late. It leaves on time.
And no, I don’t need anyone to ride with....on my motorcycle!
love with compassion,
Mikematthew25biker.blogspot.com