We were on our way to a place we have been before, but going on roads we
had never been on before. A familiar and ongoing saga in our travels. This
time our turn around point would be Las Cruces, New Mexico, and dodging the long
and boring I-8 corridor. It would take us on state highways with towns like
Animas, Playas, Huechos, and with a planned lunch in Columbus. Now New Mexico
is not new and it isn’t Mexico either, and one sunset will capture and lure you
back forever, and see why it is called the Land of Enchantment. But on today’s
trip, it was high desert, prairie type grass lands, all under the careful
surveillance of a blimp, keeping our border safe. History tells us over 100
years ago when Pancho Villa stormed across and tried to take back part of New
Mexico, the President sent 10,000 troops along with Black Jack Pershing and sent
the running back home. So planning a stop at Pancho Villa State Park, don’t
bother, it is now a campground, we decided to eat lunch, with only half of the
two places to eat open, Irma’s, and two bikes in the lot. The Triumph
Bonneville in the creamsicle color like one I had caught my attention, the other
an R1 with some custom things added. They were just coming out from lunch in
the hole in the wall, and we started talking. Noticing the paper tag on the
Bonne, and the Douglas Motors frame, I told Harry, its owner, I knew Art also,
and a friendship was made. I have known Art the owner for years, bought my last
two bikes from him, what are the chances in meeting someone 800 miles away, in a
town no more than an intersection, who we both know and buy our bikes from? If
you guessed 100%, you win!
But it was the rider on the R1 who I spent most of my time talking with.
Seems he is a disabled vet, who has no use of his legs. Which hasn’t kept him
from going fast, and wearing out tires. He knew his stuff, and he showed me the
custom sidestand that came down at a stop to keep him upright, the had controls
for brakes and shifting, and we talked of speed and handling. An unlikely pair
as you could imagine, add us and you can call it a divine intervention. Along
with a short history of the area and roads to ride, while bikers zoomed by on
this 45 degree, cloudy day. With Pink’s, just across the border two miles away,
where they still let you cross by showing your license only, a far cry from the
blimp tracking us and sending info to the State Police and Border Patrol lining
the roads. The food could have been better, but talking with Irma made up for
it. Seems the Land of Enchantment is more than sunsets and great roads. it is
the people who call it home. Having called NM home for six years, I can say I
know the feeling...which keeps drawing me back. I can see the road by cycle
this spring already.
The trendy call it bonding, but it seems ducks have been doing it for
centuries. When a duck is hatched from its egg, it bonds to the first thing it
sees, claiming it as its mother. If not its mother, the real mother will not
claim ownership of it, which explains rows of ducks following behind their
mother duck. That first meeting just out of the egg setting the tone for all
future relationships, duck and other. If you can remember first making other
friends who ride, and then travel, you get it, we tend to latch onto those we
share common ground with, sorting out the details as we ride. But what about
the first time you meet Jesus? Is it really the spirit that has drawn you to
him, or an emotion, a church event, or even a traditional denominational
calling? What or who is the first thing you see when accepting Christ into your
heart? Is it joining a fellowship, becoming a member, attending classes, or
is it meeting Jesus personally? It seems many can be called, but few are
chosen, and the follow up, or discipleship is very important. What do you
remember of the first studies, first Bible verses, and first prayer time with
Jesus? Were you swept away by emotion, or by Jesus, and did the follow up
teaching reinforce your new relationship with him? Nothing new among the body
of believers, but how many enter this land of enchantment without Jesus? Seems
it does occur, or Jesus himself would not have mentioned it.
Just like our conversation at Irma’s strengthened our relationship with our
new friends, it soon went beyond the cursory sentences and into our personal
riding. Like it is supposed to be with Jesus. Yet in Matthew 25 we find him
addressing the church folk, who brag on the their church activities. Trying to
impress God himself by their actions, but he sees through them, telling them “to
be gone, I never knew you.” Something to consider if your whole relationship
with Jesus is based on filling a pew for an hour a week. Or trying to impress
others what a great Christian you are. Or claiming to have a form of godliness,
but without evidence of Jesus in your life. Who is your life about? Do you
have religion or Jesus? Only one will get you into heaven....
In this life we will be tested like the old ones in the Bible. To see who
our allegiance is really to, and who our heart belongs to. James tells us that
these trials are a blessing, tough to see when in the midst of them, but true
believers turn to Jesus in them, and grow closer to him. Seeing a side of his
suffering and giving us more insight to him. Our prayers and actions will
reveal if he truly is our Lord, and who is in charge. We are either in God’s
way or in the way.....you cannot be both. For Jesus, like the mother duck,
knows who are his, and calls us his own. Some may pretend to the throne, self
deceived or religiously motivated, but God knows his own. The question is, do
you? Have you really given it all over to Jesus? Have you repented, is he
changing your life from the inside, to be more like him? Or have you joined a
church and put them and their traditions before Jesus? If there is any sense of
joy and peace, it can only come from the one who is love and joy and peace.
Emotions aside, joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God.
While some seek the spiritual gifts for themselves, I am glad God found favor
with me and shared the gifts of healing, teaching, and others with me, I need
all the gifts I can get, including salvation as in Ephesians 2, free so
that none should boast. I rather boast in Jesus and his resurrection....and
someday gaining entrance into the real land of enchantment, heaven itself.
Where your heart is you will follow, do you really follow Jesus, or just after
the benefits....
I thought I had seen most of New Mexico, I was wrong, for God took us on a
road set up just for us that day. Think you have seen it all or know it all
from religion? You need Jesus. And he proves it daily, sometimes in the tests,
sometimes in the blessings. If that same burning in your heart is like the two
men on the road had after meeting Jesus, it only draws us closer. Near or far,
Jesus is everywhere, knows the best roads, and better yet knows the road you are
on. Leaving you with two questions he asked, “who do you say I am?” and “why do
you call me Lord if you do not do the things I ask?” With one extra we all need
to answer, “have I made you my enemy by telling you the truth?” Do you really
know Jesus or just know about him.....so many roads and so little time, why not
let him guide you? And enjoy the ride like never before.
By the way, we texted Art, he was blown away. As for the State Trooper and
Theresa....another time.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com