I knew Bill, and Bill knew Donna. So Bill introduced me to Donna. Donna knew Gene and Gene loved motorcycles. I loved motorcycles, so the only thing to do was introduce me to Gene. And she did, and we became great friends, of course. Gene, six years older, had been an early teen age hero to me as the organ player in The Flock, a local band. I can still remember the first time I saw him, ripping through the organ solo on Good Lovin', perhaps the greatest rock and roll song ever written. A 100mph song if there ever was one!And Gene loved BMWs, the bikes, and I had at the time the most radical and expensive BMW ever made, the R90S. The first factory cafe racer, the first factory sport touring bike, and all from a company that was known for stodgy old-slow-motorcycles, the Cadillac, as Harley riders referred to them. He had a 1971 R75/5, blue like my R60/5 and R90/5, both totaled by Florida drivers, with white Windjammer and bags, the hot touring set up at the time.
We rode a lot together, and with his experience, took me all over the northeast. Meeting friends, and riding roads I didn't know could exist, showing me how to escape from the Garden State. On one of our trips back from Danbury, Connecticut, on the Sawmill River Parkway-roads there are called by name, not their number, sounds better than north on the 405, for example, I was letting him ride the S, as I often did. I was ahead and had pulled over for a pit stop, when he went flying by, accelerating, at well over 90mph, with a look on his face somewhere between terror, panic, and ecstasy. One of the throttle cables to the Dell 'Orto carbs had broken and the throttle stuck wide open. Within a few seconds, Gene realized the right thing to do, and pulled in the clutch, and stopped. By the time I caught up to him, he already had disconnected it, and I rode home on one cylinder. Both safe, as Gene had not panicked in a panic situation.
Oh how I wish the news were different this last weekend. A family died in their car when they claimed the throttle stuck open-something that outside of 60 Minutes rigging an Audi just doesn't happen. This family of five accelerated to over 100mph before hitting another car and leaving the road, burning all inside to the point of non-recognition. One passenger in the car even called 911 to alert them, and even with a CHP officer driving, still crashed and died. In a time frame of almost 10 seconds, the driver panicked and killed all on board, including himself. In a panic situation, he did what you don't do-panic! And it cost five people their lives. And will leave more questions than answers as they investigate. I still can't get it out of my head. All he had to do was shift into neutral, why didn't he? Why did he panic?
A man named Stephen, the first martyr of Christ, was in a panic situation almost 2000 years ago. He was about to be stoned for his belief in Jesus, and when confronted with death, looked to the heavens and said "hold no sin against them, they know not what they do." And died with a smile on his face, glowing. Just like we wouldn't have done in the same situation. Stephen trusted God, because he knew God, and the Holy spirit guided his thoughts and decisions. We say we do, but react differently. We panic, and we are very adept at doing it. The world hates us, yet in times of trouble, we panic and head right for world systems to bail us out. Can you think of any other situations where you seek your enemy for relief, instead of God-who is on your side? Yet we do, when the doctor says it's cancer, we seek more tests, then when all hope is exhausted pray. When the paycheck ends and the rent is due, we whine and borrow more, and complain "where is God?" When the marriage relationship hits a snag, some turn to drink, and wonder why it doesn't get better, only worse. Panicking by not doing the right thing, seeking God first. In James He tells us He provides a way out, just ask. In Matthew He tells us seek Him first, then all things will be added on. And in Philippians He tells us through Paul that we can do all things through Christ that gives us strength. Jesus even greeted His disciples "be of good cheer, I am with you." And He never panicked, even to and on the cross. So we don't have to either. It isn't a new concept, He's been there. He even has a word for it-meekness, or power under control. Sounds just like Jesus doesn't it?
Today music has changed, and BMW motorcycles have really changed. The roads I have ridden have stretched to include 48 states, and the people I ride with have stretched too. But the one thing that has remained the same, and not changed is Jesus. Reliable. Trustworthy, dependable. And loving. And He is always available, before and during your panic situation. Not just after.
Remember the old Get Smart, he worked for CONTROL, and the bad guys were KAOS? It's your choice. Don't panic and you won't have to say "Sorry about that, missed by just that much!"
Do not become your enemies friend, avoid them and seek counsel among those who believe, and know the truth. Throw your enemies into panic by doing the right thing first, and seek God. And for those of us who ride full throttle for Jesus, He still has control of our lives-don't panic. Like the song says "good lovin'-it's all I need!" And the prescription is Jesus-true love at any speed!
love with compassion,
Mike