There are certain benchmarks that are more important to us than to others. To a biker, those who ride, that can be distance, speed, miles, or some other criteria. The Iron Butt Association has an award they give for riding 1000 miles in 24 hours. A feat, which I have done. In fact I have ridden 1125 miles in 24 hours, and over 1000 in 13 hours. Do the math. 100 miles per hour? How about 100 miles in one hour! Done it twice. Add to that going a real 155mph before rev limiter cut in, riding over 40,000 miles in one year, done it a few times, and my latest riding over 10,000 miles on our trip. Ridden in all 48 contiguous states, and Mexico and Canada, too. Needless to say, I can stay up with most when bench racing about distances ridden. But recently, some friends of mine, rode 1000 miles in 24 hours. At first I was not impressed, until I stopped to think. Not only did they do it on Scramblers, with knobbies, but a total of nine of them riding together did it-at the same time! Now in a world where when riding in a group you only go as fast as the slowest person, this is a feat! And on a bike with no fairing, knobbies, and old style open faced helmets-these guys are either nuts or should be waved off the track. But to me, they are my heroes.
And please, all you Gold Wing riders, windshield types, and cruisers, these guys rule in my book. An accomplishment I could never do, since the old group I used to ride with, did nothing but make excuses for my riding style. Too fast, too long, too many curves, and I think you get the picture. To them I say "too bad." You are missing out on so much. And I wonder how if a person makes excuses in one thing, where do they stop? Like compromising, once you start it's too late. Maybe that is why I ride alone, and when given the chance maybe Stu or Frank. I ride my talk.
Faith is like that. Do you walk your talk? Maybe that is why your faith is weak, when tested it fails because of excuses. Or why your words carry so little weight. You say you trust God, but the first time you encounter difficulties it's worry time, then the excuses flow. And to be honest with you, many are tired of it. And it wearies God. Why do we tend to look to man, who lies and will take advantage of you when given the chance, but turn our backs on God when He has never lied and is trustworthy? Add to that His love and grace, what's up with us?
To some it is like riding. It is the same everywhere, why leave the state. Or like so many ask me, doesn't your seat get sore? NO! I bought a comfortable seat! Are they that smart? And to many they doubt God. And looking to man, compromise what could have been. Why wait until the doctor can't do anymore to pray-pray now-best first aid available. You won't become an alcoholic if you never take a drink-so don't! You will never get VD if you don't have pre-marital sex. So don't! And if you truly give Jesus your life, you won't want to stray-for everything you need and desire is right there, along with so much more you could never imagine.
Have a decision to make? Ask God first. And He will give you insight. Trust Him, He just wants you to know Him better. If I had never been sick, I never would have seen Him as the great physician. In need, I see Him as the great Jehovah Jireh-the provider. Alone and lonely-He is the person who sticks closer than a friend. Scared-He is your protector. His record is clean-never lost.
Yes you might get bruised in the battle, but you will win the war. As God once showed me, referring to Paul and his tent stake in his side, allowed by God to have him seek God in all situation, if I lifted up my shirt, I would look like I fell into the sticker bushes. So many times He ahs tried to get my attention, but I either ignored Him or sought someone else. Stupid hurts, even have the shirt. Don't ask.
Consider God in your situation, and know that in your weakness, He is made perfect, in you. Trust Him first, and remember if on a 1000 mile trip, you ride them one at a time. So make sure your oil is topped off, your tank is full, and your seat comfortable-then hang on for the ride of your life. Safe in the commitment you made with Jesus will be honored by you. Now, all you need to do is keep up your end! Trust!
9 guys x 1000 miles in 24 hours = 9000 miles in 24 hours. What's your excuse? Trust God!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com