I had to move to Colorado to learn things I should have been taught in
science class. Like the fact your car will freeze to the ground every night in
sub zero weather when parked on gravel. And the tires will lose all their air,
only on the bottom, strangely enough, but after starting, and a half hour warm
up, you are ready to go. The thumping of the tires may take another half hour,
but living 45 minutes to town, the problem was usually solved by the time we
arrived. But strangely after sitting in below zero in the sun, the car was
easier to start, no thumping, no half hour wait-amazing what the sun would do.
And the inside of the car would be warm from the sun, too, why weren’t we taught
this in class? But another strange phenomenon takes place in the sun on cold
days-ice melts. Even in colder temps, when it hits about 30F in the sun, it
melts. And forms these great big icicles, sometimes many feet long, which are
pretty to look at, but can be dangerous to man and beast. They break off, and
like a 20 pound spear, can kill a man. But less dangerous, but more often
occurring is when they break off the roof, taking shingles with them, not
covered by insurance of course, and so you fix the roof in the spring. While
the roof steams from the sun hitting it, and the snow or ice evaporating off
it. A pretty sight, but never over night-it takes the sun and its light and
heat to make it all work. Sorta like being frozen to the ground in the dark, in
below zero weather...
As I sit here today, the sun coming up in SoCal, it already has in
Colorado, we are faced with similar problems not learned in science class. We
have been having warm weather here for a month, and the 80’s have been the
norm. Just hit the mid-70’s, and the people start to freeze. But with our warm
air comes no humidity, and it has been in single digits-below 10 percent. Which
makes nothing stick to anything, cars start quite easily in it,, and warm up
time between fuel injection and the warm temps equals get in, sit down, shut up,
start car, and drive off. Just like Colorado, except for the waiting time, the
low tires, and bumpy ride to work. And in place of icicles, we have popsicles,
for it is warm, and nothing tastes so good as Otter Pops, aka popsicles on a hot
day. Which usually are fine to the end in warm weather, but in hot weather
produce their own problems-they melt. So you eat them faster, which gives you
brain freeze, which gives you a momentary scare, and then you continue eating
too fast, going on to the next one. The problems we must face in warm weather,
but we’re tough, we can handle brain freeze, warm weather, low humidity, and
highs in the 80’s. After all it is January,,,what must you be thinking?
Those who ride learn to dress in layers, and as it gets warmer, you take
off the jacket, then the sweat shirt, and finally get to ride in just a
t-shirt. Except it is still January here, and the air is cool, but we are tough
like I said. And yesterday riding up to the LA Police Academy for breakfast,
which was closed for Marty King’s birthday, we rode another 50 miles for lunch
in Sierra Madre, and left the two upper layers for a ride home in the just a
short sleeved shirt. Like I said we’re tough, and it is January. And somehow I
had just heard Arlo Guthrie, singing the motorcycle song, “I don’t want a
pickle, I just wanna ride my motorsicle...” so we did, safe in 85 degree, low
humidity weather...we’re tough. And given the choice between icicles,
popsicles, or motorsicles, I’ll go with motorsicles every time. For unlike some
who won’t ride if it gets below 50-the unofficial freezing temp in SoCal, I ride
below it. Not Colorado cold any more, but I will ride in melting popsicle hot.
And have at up to 124F when the glue on my Arai melted, and after having it
repaired under warranty, they claim they are tested to 122F, prefer 85 with low
humidity, and a tail wind. Just like yesterday...and like the Who sang, “I
won’t get fooled again!” Can it be too hot or too cold to ride? Your choice to
make...see you about my ride when I get back, and your day?
When one Moses was led by God to take the Jews on their Exodus, He led them
by a pillar of a cloud. Now rather than think Moses walked 40 years in bad
weather, we find the cloud preceded and protected them, as if God was leading
them, exactly where God should be in our lives-in front and leading. And at
night, He gave them a pillar of fire-driving lights, to guide them. It is
important to note that God led them, and was with them at the same time. Just
like a shepherd leads his flock, Moses led his flock for 40 years. And as a
precursor to the great shepherd, Jesus, we see how a shepherd protects his flock
from harm, going before them, but never leaving them. A note that all us
wandering sheep should take note of. For when God was moving, it meant that
they should follow, just as we should follow the leading of the Holy Spirit
today. But what if bad weather hits, what if it gets too dark to follow? What
if our icicles and popsicles start to melt in the heat, then what? Do we stop
and wait for the cloud to return, or still follow it? Two pillars to follow,
both day and night, both hot and cold. Just like dressing in layers while
riding...
I have heard faith described as trusting God when there is no evidence of
Him. Believing, but not seeing. But still listening to and for the spirit to
guide. Who guides us patiently, a relationship we must warm up to, and trust.
I am sure Moses got to trust God more as the years went by, although the crowds
grew tired of manna each day. But with shoes that never wore out, and food to
eat, pillars to be guided by and protected by-what was their problem? Which
leads me to ask-what’s yours? God has promised all our needs will be met, even
on cold days when the car is frozen to the road. Even on days when you are just
riding in a t-shirt in January, He never left you, He is still leading-are you
still following? Or has it got too cold, and you forget the warmth of Jesus by
the fire? Did you get caught under an icicle when it broke off the roof? Brain
freeze from a popsicle maybe? Are you confronted with 50 degree weather to ride
in? Are you trusting God in all these situations? Or have you gone your own
way?
Stick with Jesus, and you won’t get fooled again. Moses did, the people
did, and finally the promised land was theirs. Heaven is ours too, in fact God
is leading us there right now. It may get cold, wet, or dry and hot, but He
still leads. A cloud for protection and cooling, and light to lead the way at
night. Things not taught in science class, but taught in the Bible. The things
of God which will get us through life into the promised land. So take an
example from those who ride-dress in layers for each situation. When hot, take
one off, when cold, put another on. But never leave Jesus behind, what good is
a shepherd if you don’t follow Him? Look around, where is your God now? Unless
He is ahead and leading-you are lost...take a break and ask forgiveness, and
then follow the great shepherd-Jesus. Some days you just might freeze to the
road, some days you just might need a popsicle to cool off. Some days you
should be riding-you will never know unless you follow God.
Another tough day ahead here, high of only 82. Well it is January....where
when a tire is flat on the bottom it is really flat all around. Don’t learn the
hard way-icicles, popsicles, or motorsicles-let Jesus lead. Let your 40 year
ride begin today.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
