Our last vacation has become quite a novelty for us, as we took the car.
In fact, twice this year for a total of 31 states I took the car instead of a
motorcycle. After years of two wheeled miles, the one trip took me back to
Jersey in March, passing on the bike, and July found us in a cage, to Northern
Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. We joked along the way of this was our
first vacation by car in decades, but for some reason had a good time in the
car. A much different mindset, as we packed more although we didn’t use more,
didn’t have to ship the things we bought, neglected weather reports, spent twice
as much in gas, felt weird going to motorcycle shops, and felt like a stranger
in a strange land talking with touring riders. Suddenly I was the one with “a
motorcycle at home who had seen 48 states,” with no evidence to prove it. Fill
ups went from below ten dollars to almost thirty. Listening to satellite radio,
sorry the only sound system on a motorcycle should be its headers, and sitting
in climate controlled comfort. It seems every sensory sensor was on hold, an
artificial environment, never cold and never hot. A trip in the car that would
have pleased even Goldilocks, but never the other three bears. Conversations
increased as we were not inside our Arais, and we talked a few times about “did
you wish we had taken the bike?” A variation on “did you wish we had taken the
car?” The few times it was asked, not by us was always “no.” Maybe looking at
all the pictures Theresa didn’t take from her buddy seat revealed the truth,
things are much different in the car. We’ll see if the novelty has worn
off.....
When meeting those who take their long two wheeled trip, there is an
excitement, an anticipation of the ride. Suddenly all the senses except common
are used, and the only control of the situation is turning the throttle.
Somehow “yeah we’re in the car” doesn’t get my heart going, a trip back to So
Cal after open heart surgery was in a rental car, but in both cases we get used
to what we are doing. Habits can become habitual, how and where we travel,
where we eat and what, who we do it with, I think you get the point. But a
relationship with Jesus should never become a habit. Religion is a habit,
trained rote responses to denominational dogma, read this, study that, attend
this, support that, and soon religion is just another thing to do on your
schedule. How many sit in the same pew in church week after week? How many can
tell what time it is and how long until they escape the boredom based on where
they are in the service? Do you only hear about his resurrection on Easter, and
his birth on Christmas? Has your relationship with God become like taking the
car, insulating yourself from all the things life has to offer? Stop and
consider your Christian habits, are they church based or Jesus based? Your
answer may surprise you.....
I know so many over the years who grew up in religion then got saved. The
desire for Jesus, innate but hidden, finally realized by the holy spirit. And
suddenly life begins anew, you feel the freedom in the spirit, you want to, not
have to read your Bible, you want to give not be compelled to tithe, you want
to see other believers, not wake up on Sunday morning and feel guilty because
you don’t want to go to church. You find life where before you found a habit,
and God where before you had religion. After many years of fellowship and
ministry, never did I ever hear anyone who got saved say “I wish I could go
back.” But how many times have you wanted what they had, the excitement, the
relationship, and the joy of Jesus in our lives? So to me asking “did you ever
wish you had taken the car?” is like asking me would I like to go back to not
knowing Jesus. NO! But I find in Christ, he will take me places my religion of
riding might not, and a time to drive instead of ride. In all cases he still
leaves it up to us, for unlike religion we can choose, instead of the rules
telling us what to do. The freedom of living in the spirit, guilt free and
forgiven, living and riding in the peace and joy of the Lord, and no car can
curtail it. But given the choice, I’ll take Jesus every time. And if he says
drive....I can still wave at the others riding. I can still stop and buy
t-shirts. I can still be part of the brotherhood.....of believers. Two wheeled
or four, the ride may change, Jesus never does.
Finally I am grateful I even get to drive or ride, what a blessing God has
provided for me. In Christ we will find he gives us our heart’s desires, and
them fulfills that desire. When we seek him first it is then all other things
are added unto us. Not motorcycle and Jesus, but Jesus and motorcycle, or even
car. Even Jesus was in one Accord, once, I guess I can make the supreme
sacrifice myself, but I also know that even when not on my bike, I can still
Triumph in Jesus, knowing he is always with me. That I have triumphed over sin
because of him, and life is worth the living. Maybe a ride alone with just you
and Jesus will help clear your head and your heart. Ask and you shall receive,
give and it will be given unto you. Ask him into your heart and life and live,
ask for forgiveness and you will be forgiven. Even if you ride. And like my
brother in Christ reminds me, “once I was a 1%er, now I’m 100% for Jesus.” Who
was and is 100% for us.
So do I ever wish I had taken the car? Did you ever get out of a car and
look back wanting to drive again? We always look back on what we ride, for like
Jesus, we cannot wait to be back in the saddle again. Looking forward to where
we desire to be. Rides may change, roads differ, but Jesus will always be
exciting. New every morning. So when asked “what did you do on your
vacation?” The how will be as important as the where. How is Jesus, and heaven
is the where. Some habits are made to not be broken....just lived.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com