A note from Pastor Fred Z. about BMW motorcycles we have owned got me thinking this morning. Early in my riding career, when single and it was all about me, and what I rode, I had a string of five BMW's. Each one had its good, and its bad points, and all took me a lot of places. But the most memorable one, was the 1974 R90S. The first production motorcycle with a sport fairing and low bars, it cost $3430 US dollars. An unheard of price when you could get a Harley for less than $2500, or a Z-1 for under two grand. But the addiction was the focus of my life at the time, and when I totaled my new R90/6 in only two days and 400 miles-I was hit and run and left to die by a drunk driver, the only step was up, and it was available.
I was living in Fort Lauderdale at the time, and the S had been on display at Daytona Speed Week. Courtesy of George Jacques, the owner of 441 Cycle Shop, and when I walked into the store to replace my blue wreck, well, the choice was obvious. Added some real Dunstall Low Decibel pipes, and off I went. Across Alligator Alley-before it was a freeway, and took it back the next day for its 600 mile service. But the fact I walked into the dealer was a miracle. When I woke up in the hospital after the last accident, I was on a rotisserie, with my leathers cut off. And could not feel my lower extremities. I was paralyzed from the waist down. Not yet a Christian, I remember calling out to God, a God I didn't believe in, to give me back my legs so I could walk. And this God, who believed in me, answered my prayer. And later that night, walked out of the hospital. In pain, which I would have for years, and still do, but He had answered my prayer. We sometimes forget that HELP is a great prayer, and that God loves sinners too.
And this would be the motorcycle that took me west from Jersey in November of 1975. A very young Christian, I was alone with only one Christian friend, and headed for Albuquerque. Where I was to grow in God in ways I never dreamed possible.
Still single, and still addicted to motorcycles, God and motorcycles were my life, and not always in that order. I still worshipped the S, and even worked at the local BMW shop. I rode faster than I should-big surprise, but never went down. Even won a couple of races between ghost towns, and the bike and I became known within the biker community of Albuquerque, which by the way, was and still is a great biker town.
But as you grow in God, you find you cannot worship two Gods. And God doesn't like to share you with anyone. And it was becoming evident that the S was getting between us. This bike that had taken me across the US of A, and was the most important thing in my life had to go. But I was ignorant, and stubborn, and resisted God, until one day He changed my heart. He was and is pro-biker, He just wants to be first in your life. And through our BMW mechanic Rocky-a real biker, he introduced me to this girl who would trade me her 1975 Yamaha 500 and cash for my bike. And I couldn't wait to sell it. Very humbling-selling this rare hi-performance bike to a girl, but that's the way God wanted it. I didn't keep the Yamaha long, but it was the most humbling experience in my young Christian walk at the time. And even close friends didn't get it, but God did.
He wants nothing to come between us. He wants total access to our lives, and when He means no other Gods before Him, He means no others! And includes motorcycles! But while the S was replaced by a lesser ride, it also was replaced with a larger God. And I began to grow in Christ, without the stumbling block of the S. A companion for over 40,000 miles in two years, I had given her up for real love. And a God who loved me so much He had given His only son.
Things between you and God may start subtle, and I know the excuses. If you are making them, stop. He didn't take away the love of motorcycling, just the worship of one bike. He humbled me, when He could have humiliated me, but God isn't like that. When I finally sought Him first, then He added things to me, and better than I could ask. Giving life to Matthew6:33. For it is also true our battle is not between flesh and blood, but power and principalities. Some have two wheels, some four. Some go up your nose, some feed your ego. But none can replace what God has for you. Nothing is as precious as God!
I was only saved for a year when God allowed me to sell the S. It was my decision. But it taught me at an early age to TRUST GOD! He knows the plans He has for you-good ones. He orders your steps, or roads. And His word is a lamp unto your feet. Or the road ahead.
Your life will always be between you and God. Just make sure that nothing gets between you and the God who loves you. Kings and kingdoms, as well as motorcycles will fade away, but there's something about that name. Jesus Christ!
Ride with Him today! With the only thing between you His love. A love for motorcycles that is only surpassed by my love for Him! Which is truly surpassed by His love for us!
Jesus loves bikers, too. Shaft, chain, or belt. He loves to ride them all.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
