I cannot count the number of vehicles I have bought and sold over the
years. From buying my Dad’s 1969 BMW 1600 two door, and my 1972 Honda CB350,
the list would go on and on. Some were forgettable in ownership, and I bet some
would be left off any list because of memory fade, brought on by nothing
memorable about them. Some lived here for years, some were a one night stand.
But for each one sold, there was also a reason I bought it in the first place,
and that too varies. Some bought to ride, some to hopefully be an investment,
and some to help pay the bills. I once had a 1976 Suzuki GT380 overnight,
bought from a customer who decided he didn’t like to ride with less than 500
miles and a month old, passing it along to another friend and pocketing $100,
big bucks when $100 was weekly take home pay. I don’t remember ever really
making money on selling them, most were bought with the idea of riding them,
their intended purpose after all. With some memorable sales remembered...
I had my 1985 FJ1100 for over 11 years and 80,000 miles. Looking back it
always needed something being fixed, but I loved it, until I bought one of the
new Triumphs, a 1996 Trident. Riding off I wondered why I sold my old friend,
but at 1.3 miles from the store, knew why, this bike was better in every way,
and soon the FJ was gone from my mind. Selling my CB350 after five months and
6600 miles taught me about depreciation, losing $200 from the purchase price to
what I sold it for. Big bucks in 1972. But I also broke even on my 1975 Z-1,
trading it for my 1981 KZ750 to my dealer friend who wanted it, like new despite
its 77,000 miles. Which I sold a few years later and bought a 1983 Honda
Nighthawk 650, saving an extra $100 when flipping the coin with the dealer and
winning. There are many more I remember, and yesterday a new memory was
born.
I traded in my 2017 Triumph Bonneville T120 for a new Street Triple R. Art
the dealer owner and I have been friends for years, and despite the trade in
values being poor, gave me an honest price, and I jumped in. And all was well
until the financing, which he had quoted, and the payment went up by $15, a lot
for the rest of my life, the terms of the loan. So I had to turn it down, until
he told me wait, and would go an extra $500, losing $1300 instead of $800. He
claimed he will make it up somewhere else, but I know Art, he won’t. And I also
know God, who had a hand in the deal....
I have ridden so many press bikes, that riding a new bike had lost a lot of
its thrill. But somehow yesterday I was excited again, but willing to pass on
the deal if it wasn’t right for me. Too much buy for love, and too many hot dog
dinners in the past. But I wanted what God wanted, and seriously wasn’t
bummed, just asked for “his will to be done.” It seems the moment I was going
to pass on the deal, all things changed, and I knew the Striple would be mine.
I had been willing to pass on lust, getting things my way, and letting God
negotiate for me. I was willing to submit to him in a simple thing, allowing
him to prove that he is all things in my life, and even times when I feel a
loser, when the situation seems overwhelming, he allows it to show how much he
loves us, and is control. If we let him be God! Some may argue against, but I
knew God had something to do with the deal. And even Art was blessed seeing me
get my new bike.
El Shaddai, he told Abram was his name, God Almighty, the one who is
sufficient. Seems after 13 years of waiting for God’s promise of a son, and
being 99 years old with a wife who was barren, most would have given up. But
Abram, mentioned in the Hall of Faith didn’t, based on who God was, not on any
magical faith, waited. He had learned by failure when trying to walk in his own
way, now he was being shown that God had control in all things, turning his
futility into success when allowing God to have his way. If only we could
recover from self and trust the El Shaddai today, to trust Jesus instead of just
praying in his way, trying to negotiate with our Savior. True he saves, but he
also leads, as the great shepherd over his flock, but is also Lord of all, over
all things and all other lords. King of kings and Lord of lords. No one, no
name higher, and God himself. If he can save, why don’t we let him lead also?
The New Testament tells us we cannot serve two masters, for we will love
one and hate the other, depending upon if we get our will or not. We are
content serving Jesus and ourself when things go our way, but yesterday I was
reminded how he is part of all my life, even down to finances about buying a new
bike. Little things and big things, and face it, motorcycles are a big thing
around here. But only Jesus saves, and is Lord here too. If only I could
remember in all things to give him the preeminence as he asks.
In our lives we will be asked to serve God, or serve ourselves. As a self
service society we are used to doing things ourselves, even Sinatra sang “I did
it my way.” But the true joy of knowing Jesus comes when we can say “I did it
his way.” When you feel the pressures, feel the drama coming on, step back and
give it to Jesus. He may say “stop this , or “start this,” but the sheep, us,
know the master’s voice, his, and should obey. And in obeying him, he is
cutting the ties that bind you to the world....
So when it comes time to sell, consult him first. Even a loss can be a
lesson from him, just wait and see how he turns it into a joy. In all cases, he
wants to be El Shaddai, for he is worthy, he is capable. Based on his spirit,
not your feelings. He warns against doing things based on emotions too. Jesus
is as practical as he is spiritual, the ultimate caterer feeding 5000 twice, the
ultimate boater, saving the disciples in the storm, and yesterday in San Berdoo
at a Triumph shop. Reminding me you may ride a Triumph, but only in him will
you triumph....which ought to end any argument about Jesus and his riding
motorcycles. And yes, this is one deal I will not forget.
love with compassion,
Mike
mattehw25biker.blogspot.com