ADDICTED! For Guy, his escape is a custom Harley with 122hp. Theresa's is a Bonneville. Stu's drug of choice is a Gold wing. For Spud, any of the bikes with a shield and bar in the showroom. Nathan gets his fix from his Scrambler. Mickey tells me there is no replacement for displacement. Andrew has to do it in the dirt. For me it takes a Tiger, and a few weeks and a few time zone changes. What we all have in common is the addiction to motorcycles. And there is only one sure cure-go riding! So we do! And although some worship at the house of Honda, or Triumph, or Harley, or heaven forbid-Ducati, we all are regular attendees to the motorcycle shrine of our choice.
And most all of us started when young. Watching a friend, then getting rides on the back. Finally wearing down our parents-"you'll get killed, or worse!" But finally getting our own bike, and finally understanding freedom. Freedom tied to the twist of a wrist, that unleashes power and joy found nowhere else. Instant smile! And a joy unspeakable. And once you are bitten, you may never get cured, and for many it has become a lifelong addiction. At first brand didn't matter, just the fact you had a bike to ride. Honda or Hodaka, Jawa or Japanese-just so you had a throttle to twist, horsepower or no power-you were riding!
But soon brands and models mattered. So did size, and whose t-shirt you wore. And you were always reading the cycle mags to see what was new, and trying to figure out how you were going to afford your next ride. The next I'll never need another after this bike fix. Which you would perform and repeat throughout your life. Maybe the most consistent aspect of your life.
When I first got saved, all I wanted to do was fellowship with other believers. Anyone who wanted to talk about Jesus was OK. Then I got plugged into a church, and then another. And as I got closer to God, my peer group would change to those who were seeking more of what God had to offer. Following God, and walking in the spirit, it took me places I never knew existed. Until one day after almost 18 years, God took us to another church. And following His direction, have been very blessed. But some don't get it. And wonder how we could change. And why? And rather than rejoicing over us following God's lead felt slighted. Like I had changed brands. Or deserted God altogether. Not fully realizing that if we didn't have Jesus in common, we had nothing to start with. And following God was the only place to feed my need.
Zmicer's ministry to street kids in Minsk, Belarus reminds me of both of the above. The ministry, using motorcycles, reaches out to these kids. Who have nothing, and where the brand doesn't matter. So they ride, broken and scratched, but they ride, and look forward to it-with no biases except when it is my turn next? And through this experience, Zmicer shares Jesus with them. Gives them hope in life, and takes them in. And has started translating the same devotions you read every day, into Russian! And the kids are responding to the gospel. I have sent shirts, and stickers, so they feel like part of a bike club. No rules, just Jesus. And motorcycles-and it just don't get any better! And I am reminded of how good it felt just to be riding when younger. And also to worship God when first saved before rules, legalism, so called ministries, and denominations got in the way. And I wish the same on all of us. Can we go back to when Jesus was fresh and new? Before you followed a teacher, or pastor? Before a club or ministry robbed you of your freedom, and you were free? Can we go back to riding, and knowing the freedom of regulating the fun factor by just twisting the throttle?
If riding is the language of motorcycles, then Jesus is the language of God. And love. Let no one speak any other language, for His says it all. More freedom than riding, and you can be with Him always. And He will ride with you. Just like the kids in Minsk are finding out. In a world where we are all taught the rules, the thou shalt nots, aren't you glad that freedom still exists in the spirit?
Pray for Zmicer and his club. Matthew 25 Bikers. Who may not know all the ins and outs of the Bible like some, or the freedom of the road like those who ride. But they understand that something special happens when you do either one-and desire more of it. Who can't wait for the next time to ride-and get excited when Jesus is shared.
Just a simple addiction, with no apparent antidote. So feed your need today and go riding. Keeping the kids in Minsk in prayer. And keep Jesus in your heart. Jesus and motorcycles-no way does it ever get any better! Reminded by some street kids in Minsk that the language of motorcycles is universal, just like God's love. And no language is a barrier when they gather together.
Think I'll go riding. Just got done praying, and I need to feed my need! See you in church or on the road-maybe both! The language of motorcycles, spoken from Milwaukee to Hinckley, to Tokyo, to wherever motorcycles are found. And Jesus-He is the language of love. Spoken even in Minsk-thanks for the reminder.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com