This morning as you go to wherever you go, in whatever you go in, or in my case on, you will put a key into an ignition, turn it, and the car/bike will start. You will put it into gear, apply the gas and go forward. The whole time not having a clue as to what has just happened, but doing it none the less. Driving by faith. Assuming the car will start when the key is turned. Just pushing a pedal will give you forward motion-cause it always has. And you can regulate your velocity by adjusting throttle input. All without knowing how anything works, any physical law, and with your radio blaring. An incredible achievement. I see overwhelmed moms in mini vans doing it all the time. And yet when this simple process is interrupted, we turn into recalcitrant children, like their passengers, and our vehicle a paperweight, useless as it is not performing the duty it was designed for.
It wasn't always this way. Just some 40 years ago, if you were riding an English motorcycle, you had no key to turn to start the car. You had to kick it over, after tickling the carbs-not the bad carbs from eating, the ones that provided gas flow-until gas ran out onto your foot. You then would pull in the clutch, kick through twice to release the clutch plates-then jump up and land on the kick starter-and hopefully the bike would start. If it didn't by the second kick, you were staying where you were for a while. Or you could push start it, and hope it would start, downhill preferable. Participation required. And this was as acceptable then, as our procedure is now. Electric starting caused a revolution in motorcycles, one we just take for granted. But removed the participation-thankfully in this case.
But both situations are an exercise in faith. In one we take it for granted it will start. The other, we hoped it would start. Both faith, but one truer to God, as it required more hoping and praying, and your participation. And our walk with God is like that. The best definition of faith I ever heard was trusting God when there is no evidence of Him. Sounds like an old Triumph to me! But knowing by following instructions, the bike would eventually start. Persistence sometimes the most important component of faith. We learned to trust God in the actions of starting-realizing the reward for when we did accomplish starting the bike. On the other hand, we take it for granted that when the button is pushed, the bikes of today will start. And when they don't, after using words not found in the Bible, replace the battery, after seeing if we have gas, and then assume it will start. It has always been that way, we believe, so why not just replace the battery and get it over with?
Why do we trust our bikes and cars more than we trust God? Why is our faith in the vehicle to start unwavering-for the most-but when it comes to trusting God with our lives we waver? Surely He who allowed Harleys and Triumphs to be built, and endure, can meet whatever needs you have. He who has overcome that Prince of Darkness-Lucas Electrics-can get you going, and keep you there. But yet, we go off looking for answers everywhere but God when we encounter difficulties. And in most cases ending up along the side of the road, if we ever got going at all.
Today is the best time to start walking by faith. You have faith in your light switch, your toaster, your coffee brewer, and your car/bike. You have confidence in your radio-maybe not the news on it-and confidence with your password to unlock your computer at work. All without God! Can we try to trust Him with our bank accounts today? To keep our sons and daughters safe in the armed services? With our health? Can we trust Him to hear when we call? Can we trust Him with our lives, as He asks? You see, He says that without faith it is impossible to please Him. Not a lot, just a little-because that is all we have. But maybe if we trust God like we do our motorcycles, imagine the difference in our lives. So I am-just pushing the button marked God-and see what happens. The best way to start the day.
And participate in a relationship that keeps getting better and better. He promises to never leave me or forsake me! Can your car say that? How much faith is there in a system that needs a tow truck-just to get home sometimes? Leaving you alone! God won't, and doesn't. But it takes your participation-He will not interfere, but He is calling you now. Will you answer-saying nothing is saying no. While the rest of us ride through life, you may be waiting on the side of the road-hopefully waiting for someone to arrive. He already has, will you let Him into your car and into your life? And onto your motorcycle? No doubt Jesus rides, and He is happy to ride with you.
These things follow them that believe. Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, longs suffering, and self control. Beats anger, hate, revenge, an overdrawn account, saying words not found in the Bible, and a tow truck that never arrives. Get where you are going-heaven-with Jesus. And as you go, tell others. Stopping to assist them is better than being stuck. You see, it is better to give than receive. So give today-your life to Jesus. Never be stuck again. It's just a matter of getting started!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com