This is a story of two men, one you may know the name, and one I am sure you don't know. Two men, performance driven, from different worlds, but sharing a common goal, being driven by perfection. Both winners in the world's eyes, but losers in life. My friend Bouke was the fastest rider we knew. At all the bike shops, and races, he was well known. In fact, when he didn't win, it was news-he was that good. On the street he had a reputation for having the fastest bike, and if for some reason he lost-rare, or when a faster model came out, he would sell it and build another. In the early 70's this meant H1's, H2's, and when I last saw him had an early Yoshimura Z-1. I remember riding the Z-1, and it was scary fast-no one except Triumph understood handling, and we would joke about the bike being hinged in the middle. No chassis could handle all that power! But to Bouke, this only meant riding faster, pushing the bike well past its limits, and a great, yet narrow focused ride for the next owner when he sold it and started on his next project. We would be out, and he would point to a bike, saying "that one used to be mine-it was real fast." And then looking at the nerdy kid who had the price of admission-money, to own it, with not enough talent to ride it like Bouke, and never being able to enjoy its potential., would feel bad for the bike. A thoroughbred now hauling a cart. But he had bragging rights to what he owned, even if he never could ride it like Bouke. And that, the bike, would gain him admiration among his friends. We used to go to the local McDonald's, and even pulling in, the lot would empty-hot rods, muscle cars, and bikes. He was that fast! But with all that talent came a curse-for he never found a bike fast enough for him, or one that he hadn't used up all its potential. You never heard the words too fast come from his mouth, only I want to go faster-and so he did.
When Theresa and I are asked, "do you camp?" we always reply "Camp Marriot." At the end of a day's riding, we enjoy the hot tub, showers, and comfy beds awaiting. And for years, when we could afford it, always stayed at Marriott's-confession, my son worked for them and we got a great discount! J. Willard Marriot was a man driven by perfection. Starting his Hot Shoppes during the depression, they grew into a huge business, that among other things made him the first company to sell hot meals to the airlines. He was a control freak, and expected perfection from himself, and his employees. He treated them well, but was always looking for a better way. From a consumer stand point this is great, but it exacts a price to those you call family. Watching his sons being interviewed, they told of how their father never once told them they did a good job. No matter how hard they tried, they always fell short. And as their dad explained, his father never told him good job, and look how he turned out. The one thing they both admitted they needed, and wanted, they had been denied. Like McCartney wrote, "something inside that was always denied for so many years..." Which shows up the lack of love that a performance based relationship has. He was a Mormon, and believed his good works would get him to heaven, neglecting the true Jesus of the Bible and substituting a lie for the truth. Who needs love-I've got a record to fall back on. Yet it was never enough for him, sadly passing this heresy on to his kids. In the world's eyes they had it all, but to his kids, they lacked the love that only a father can give to his children. And in the endless pursuit to please God, which you can't do by your actions, they were miserable inside. But then not knowing God will do that to you. And the world won't get you to heaven.
God loves us all equally-sinner and saved. If He didn't, He would not have sent Jesus to die so we could be reunited with Him-for we are sinners and fell away-not Him. His salvation is found in grace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ-no other way. You cannot make God love you more-so give it up! And start enjoying the relationship that He has for you.
And for you stuck in the false religion of a works based salvation-trust God. Pick up your Bible and read Ephesians 2. There is 10 short verses the gospel is presented simply. But that is your choice. So if you rather live your life wondering if you will be good enough to get to heaven, you won't-you cannot be. Because without grace you aren't. If you live your life, hoping God marks on a curve, based on your performance, you may do ok until a J. Willard comes along, and then you are relegated to second place. Or you may be pretty talented until Bouke blows your doors off. Try explaining that gospel to someone. "Yeah, God loves you, and if you're pretty good you may see heaven, but there are those who are better, and they will get to heaven before me-I just don't know if I will." And just how good would be good enough? Yeah-that's how I want to live my life, aren't you glad God's way is better?
You see Bouke had to get old, and some new faster kid would come along-and start a new legend. For in his day, he was the fastest-but where is he now? And as some pundit put it years ago-you are only as good as your last game. I don't know about you, but for every winner there has to be a loser. With a bad last game. I don't want to wonder if I am getting to heaven based on my record, I rather do it based on Jesus' record. And if you like, His last game-on the cross! Total victory-and since I am part of the team I go with Him-I won! And just like hanging with Bouke, I got to meet the fastest guys, see the coolest rides, and meet the prettiest girls. Being part of the team still counts! Even if you aren't the best! You still win with Jesus!
Today I still like to stay at Marriots-they are among the best hotel chains available. But I find that the price he and his family paid for their success, and eventual defeat, far too high for me. So now I stay in places like the Melody Ranch Motel, and meet the owner-humble and simply caring about his guests. I get a good night sleep for half the price, and hope that the owners install the same high principals that J. Willard did, with one exception-love.
If you haven't told your kids you love them lately, call them and make their day. Tell your wife, and watch her attitude change-maybe from one of what does he want, to one of what can I do for him. Love is like that, it must be shared, and actions speak louder than words, but the words are still nice to hear.
To my wife and kids, I love you. And it's a good thing about grace, because I know all about you. And I'm reminded that God knows all about me. Now that is a strong argument for grace if I ever heard one. Grace, mixed with mercy-a performance that no performance can ever beat. At any speed, on any ride, no matter where you lay your head.
In a world of winners and losers, don't go by the specs, go by the person. And make that person Jesus Christ. Only in Him will you realize your potential-the potential to be blessed far beyond what any man or motorcycle can offer.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com