When traveling, or even not traveling, I still prefer smaller, family owned bike shops. You know the ones, where the coffee pot is always on, even when less than a cup remains, old magazines cover the table, and some old, worn out chairs or stools are available to sit on and bench race. The employees don't have titles, but names. You see Joe if you want to buy a bike, and he handles all the transaction, including calling you to stop by when your plates are in. Usually a guy with a nickname like Crusty runs the service department, and when he says come back in two hours, he means get here by closing so he can go home. The parts guy knows what parts to keep in stock, and you rarely have to wait for parts-and is not against taking the needed part from a new bike to get you on the road. They understand service, and depend on you for their advertising-word of mouth still being the best there is. And while the building may need repairs, which can always wait until winter or the rainy season, which then gets taken up by more bench racing and rereading the old magazines by the coffee pot. Maybe next year. It was more personal, you knew what to expect, and didn't look for a discount-the prices were fair and you wanted them to be in business next week, next year-so you paid them, even though the new store 20 miles away offered more-said so in their ads-it was the intangibles, the relationships that were established years ago that were more important.
Then mergers and buyouts began, and now we have mega dealers, who cannot carry all the parts-so you wait, generally right in the middle of riding season. Buying a bike takes three hours, most waiting for the next F and I person to sell you stuff you can't afford or don't need, but he will add into your purchase price gladly. Nothing like buying a leather jacket over 60 months-you only buy it three times! The service guy knows your bike, but who are you, and expect a three day turnaround for repairs-if they have the parts. All nice and computerized, and you leave wondering who or what you dealt with. All you know is you can't wait to not have to go back, and all of sudden the internet pricing looks much better.
Now add economic conditions, and we see that the mega dealers are folding. They were started when business was strong, but now since it is slower, they can't make it. They lost the vision of their dealership, basing it on charts and projections, sold to them in their greed-all they saw was the profits-not the ones who got them there. Like the Three Bears bed, business was either too soft-not enough, too hard-too much, but never enough so that they could go riding. Efficient, productive, and impersonal. And in many cases run from a home office, by a conglomerate who only looks at them from a profit standpoint-and will be sold if they don't or if they become marketable.
I see ministries going this way too, sadly. Which starts out honorable and God driven, they become number driven, and lose their way. But often times it is not the man at the top, but those under him, who only have a worldly perspective, and sell out, letting the world instead of God influence their decisions. And sadly lose their vision, because of the near sighted individuals that they call members. A card, membership number, and paying dues and they are in. No urging by the spirit-although they claim to, but based on corporate dictates, financial needs, and personal gain they claim to be serving God, but really are serving themselves. And be careful, for it can be dangerous to wake up a sleepwalker, and many are-spiritually. Just ask the seven sons of Skeva, who saw Paul casting out devils and doing miracles, and thinking it was based on words confronted a demon possessed man. Who proceeded to beat them and send them away naked! Yelling at them "I know Jesus, and I have heard of Paul-but who are you?"
Following the vision God gives you is easy, until you encounter these types. And I was reminded recently how blind they are to the spirit, and why God warns me to stay away from them. Knowledge is different than wisdom, and freedom is not found in following rules. Follow the vision God has given you-in an organization or not. But remember your relationship is personal, and ministry is one-on-one. Keep it simple, follow the spirit, and be wary of the Skeva types. Wolves in sheep clothing, and although they talk a good game, rely upon man's ways rather than God's. Their reward is found in reports and boasting among themselves. Clouds with no rain, the Bible calls them. Don't fall into that trap. The bottom line is God knows, can we be so bold as to repent and follow Him?
A relationship with God is personal-I like that, Jesus assures it. Gotta go, Mickey called-would I please get my bike outta here so he can go to the desert! Personalized service. You see his shop is small, he rides, and isn't open 7 days a week. But aren't you glad God is?
See what I mean?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com