My current ride is a 2012 Triumph Tiger XC courtesy of Triumph Motorcycles. Among other things it is bike of the year for Rider, and Dual Sport of the year for other magazines. And it should be, it is a great bike, and the eighth one I have ridden this year, putting on miles for the press fleet. Since the importer/distributor is in Newnan, Georgia, the bike comes with Georgia license plates, which start some interesting conversations. "Did you ride from Georgia? No, but I have. How long did it take you to get here? Weren't you paying attention to my first answer? Are you riding it back? No, I only put 1000 miles on them, then turn it in for another." I won't mention that I have ridden over 20 new bikes this year, right out of the crate and never ride more than 1200 miles on one. No need upsetting them. And when I tell them it belongs to Triumph, and they are from Georgia, I get sad looks, like they really wish I had ridden it from there. But even sadder is when someone from Georgia talks to me, and I have to tell them I am from California. I have even had people solicit me to move there, telling me how pretty it is, and one woman almost shed tears when I told her I couldn't, wouldn't, and didn't want to. Among other things if I did I wouldn't get the chance to ride all these new bikes. All this because of the Georgia tag on the bike. And for you more anal types, it is a bike manufactured in England, distributed out of Georgia, picked up at press fleet in Pleasanton, and ridden by a guy in Escondido. How's that for a genealogy?
And unless you are a Native American, you too came from somewhere else. So we are Italian-Americans, Polish Americans, African Americans, and you get the picture. But we are all Americans! So why don't we act like it? Why when we live in the greatest country in the world, do we want to cling to our heritages, and for some it is so many generations the whatever-American heritage is gone. The best thing about becoming an American is that when you come here you give something up, to gain a lot more. Or why would you come? Does anyone move for a worse existence? Freedom and the American dream that even though is demised, is still the best in the world. And my advice to those who don't like it here, go somewhere else and try it. And see if what you are getting is more than you are giving up! We are still the Land of the free, and the Home of the brave! Benevolent and compassionate-we send more money, supplies, people, and missionaries to the rest of the world when in need than anybody else. Try that Mexico. Russia. Cuba. Iraq. We are the US of A, and I am glad to be a citizen of it!
So when a woman one time, came into my office at Mercedes Benz, and wanted to know what kind of American I was, she was a Persian American, I told her I was an American-that said it all, and don't try to diminish it by adding anything to it. But as she kept on, I finally decided to end the conversation. "I am a Heaven American, for that is where my eternal citizenship lies." And she left, not being able to digest that, but the truth is, I am a Heaven American, for my citizenship is in heaven. Written in the book of life, my name is right there to prove it. For you see when we die, we all have an eternal place we are going, but not all go to heaven. You see you need Jesus Christ to get there, and some people reject Him, their choice, not His, for He wants all to go to heaven. He didn't die for some, but all-while we were still sinners. That's love. But you must give up something to get there, it is called sin. And not all wish to give it up, or call on the name of Jesus. And at the point of death they go to hell, Hell Americans if you wish. And my advice to you, is if you don't want to go to hell, call on Jesus. For God does not send anyone to Hell! It is your choice to go. That is why Jesus Christ came to earth, to save us from hell. But true love demands a decision, so it is left to the individual. God is the only one who will never force His will or ways on you. Only in Jesus will you find eternal life, is what you have worth it? Ask yourself the question Jim Elliot did, who gave his life as a missionary to see whole tribes repent. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." So the choice is yours.
Don't be misled like those who think I am from Georgia. Or those who tell you there is no hell, and if heaven exists you can work your way to it. God knows us better, so He gave us grace. It is a gift you cannot earn.
After I get a 1000 miles on the Tiger it goes back to Triumph. My own bike has a California plate. Am I from California or is the bike? Or am I a California-American? The plate you hang on your life will tell more about you than you think. And to me, being a future citizen of heaven is the most important. And until then, the rest is just for the ride.
Keeping my eyes ahead on the things on high. Not worrying about what is behind me, like a license plate. I know in whom I believe. And I know this is only temporary, even if a lifetime is hard to think of in those terms. For even license plates will expire and have to be renewed. Be renewed now, and refreshed, knowing that your final destination is heaven.
And until that day, I won't mind if you refer to me as a heaven American! Just let me ride!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com