I was reading an old Cycle Guide from 1986 the other night that now resides
in our library aka bathroom. Great reading material, and in this particular
issue the headline was “World’s Fastest and Quickest Motorcycle,” an article
that I had read and reread many times. For me it was hoping the outcome would
be different, as the FJ1100 I had only went 147 mph and 10.5 in the quarter,
beat by Suzuki’s GSXR1000 and the Ninja 1000. It was all about speed in those
days, who got there first and was the fastest, and those numbers would be
bragging rights for some time to come. No matter each bike came specially
prepared from its importer, or that Jay Gleason, the fastest man in the quarter
at the time rode them, the numbers were there in plain sight for all to read,
and coming in third in a five bike race was no moral victory for me. Chances
are I would never and never have to prove the magazine wrong, but I had friends
who used the article for bragging rights, even if they never went over 70.
Somehow none of us really never challenged the next guy to a race, but would
depend on those words in print to do all the bragging needed. Five bikes, one
article, with one winner. But looking back and past my ego, there were no
losers, fast will always be fast until someone goes faster. And although most
readers wouldn’t and couldn’t perform at those levels, in our minds it gave us
bragging rights, as if we were that fast. Oh to be young and foolish again
today......
Now if you were there, you can remember it was all about the Japanese
bikes, no one I knew rode Harleys, never confused with a performance bike, no
Ducati’s either. But conspicuous by its absence was Honda. Still searching for
the ultimate UJM, they were going to the V-4 like the Sabre and away from the
racing image. Their bikes were just as competitive but lacked the racing look
we all clamored for, the fairings with low bars, resets, and fancy paint jobs.
For some the look was just as important or more important than the speed, it was
all about the image or illusion of speed. And with cops on every corner, the
insurance companies wanting to ban Ninja style bikes, led by GEICO and State
Farm, two companies now trying to get our insurance money, that I will never
buy, we would prefer to be known by the articles rather than the tickets or our
own speed contests. The guy behind the bars on the street was not the same guy
behind the magazine article many times....
We read in scripture that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Feet planted firmly in the middle, able to go either way as the crowd or
argument demands. It is one thing when it comes to riding and brand loyalty,
another when it comes to the things of God. When Jesus told us to deny our
family and pick up our cross and follow him, he wasn’t telling us to hate them,
but to let go of the past, and to follow him as an individual. Not follow
church or religious teachings, but to hear what the spirit was saying and obey.
I have tried to be religious at church and then myself at work, it won’t work,
one or the other will win, and soon we get a reputation for being a hypocrite, a
liar and a fool. So Jesus asks us to make the ultimate decision, to be born
again, and live life for him, and not religion. At one time motorcycles were
our religion, how many changing brands as newer and faster came out each year.
Some stood by brand loyalty no matter what, but we were as finicky as any one
else. An area where pride can be subtle or speak in harsh and loud terms. Is
my brand better than yours? Is my church better than yours? Bigger and
better? Based on what? Man or God? Stop and consider Jesus for a minute and
our position with him, it might just scare you. Does religion rule in your life
or Jesus himself? Why do you attend where you do? Is that pretty girl your
gospel, the false teachings that tickle your ears and make you feel good? Do
you have a position in the church and like the attention? Whatever it is, if
anything comes between you and Jesus it is sinful. You may stumble and never
fall, but stumbling in life is as dangerous as at 120 mph, no room for
error.
I have some great Catholic friends who love Jesus, yet used to attend a
church that found them inferior. Don’t like your Lutheran church, many synods
to choose from. Don’t want the truth, listen to Joel Osteen or some of the TBN
crowd. But if you want all you can get out of life and eternity too, Jesus is
the only way. What I have trouble with is no one I know wants to buy an
inferior motorcycle, it is a personal thing, so why settle for anything less
than Jesus in life? Religion gives us no choice, Jesus allows us to choose. So
choose him, the correct answer.
Now you are not inferior because you attend a wrong church, but not getting
all the blessings God has. If you only know Jesus through Sunday services or
your pastor, or a friend, you miss out on Jesus. Many will come in his name,
only the truth will set you free. Jesus wants to participate in your life,
still think that cross too heavy? Remember he says his burden is light and
easy, and to lean on him. We are not alone....yet we can choose to be. So who
and where you worship is important and has eternal ramifications. Some only
support the brand of Jesus, do you truly call him Lord? Do you do the things he
asks?
Some know about Jesus, while I prefer to know him personally. Like those
that hide behind the article and never ride as fast, too many hide behind
religion for safety, while making themselves vulnerable to all the lies of
Satan. Some ride, some own. Some are religious, some are saved. Double
minded, no place to be in Christ. We do not know when the final competition
will happen, but we need to be prepared for the finish of it, no do overs in
hell. You red light you lose. You may meet religious requirements, do you meet
God’s? Fortunately we all are born into sin so we all qualify. Drag races are
lost in the blink of an eye, don’t bet your life on anything else but Jesus.
Fast will always be fast until someone goes faster, but Jesus will always be
Jesus. Only in him will you truly enjoy the ride, knowing where it will end.
Oh to not be old and foolish today....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com