60 years ago if you rode motorcycles and raced, you probably would have ridden your own bike to the track. Stripping off lights, fenders, and anything else you could to lighten it, you would have raced it, and then if it was still ridable afterwards, reassemble it and ride it home. You rode and raced for fun, and if an occasional trophy came your way, you displayed it with pride. But as the fifties brought us smaller competition bikes from Europe, many started taking them to the track in pickups, leaving the street bike for rides. Sometimes teaming up with a friend and sharing expenses. Then the Japanese invasion hit in the 60's, and their small 2-strokes were light enough to mount on a bumper rack attached to your Dad's Impala or Chrysler. Allowing many younger riders to race, and increasing competition. And allowing you to sleep on the way home while dad did the driving. Starting at a younger age, long before your dad would have. You were still having fun, and enjoying the freedom of the ride. If only life-school didn't interfere with your plans.
Then in the 70's someone discovered that the handlebars of your dirt bike would just fit inside a van's rear doors, and they became our new pit-on wheels. Sadly ruining many a racer's dream of romance, not fully understanding why some women didn't embrace the smell of racing castor, Eu de Castrol isn't for everyone. Or wish to go on a date with a headlight or handlebars looking over their shoulder. Expecting more than a dinner for two at a drive-up window, eating in the van. I even knew a guy who thought women were trying to control him when they offered to pick him up, until someone explained it to him, and also introduced him to bathing before the date. Changed his social life, but not his riding. Later in the decade trailers started appearing behind pickups, and then today we have Toy Haulers-self contained units with bathrooms, showers, kitchen, and beds-with storage space for our bikes. And instead of racing to win, now compete for points to win a championship. Counting the points so they know where they need to finish, not going out to win the race. And in between heats, watching TV with the a/c on, while eating micro waved corn dogs. Cold Gatorade and energy drinks. A long way from riding your own bike to the track, then racing it. A long way from bologna sandwiches, warm soda, and stale chips. And also a long way from the fun and freedom that enticed you about riding in the first place. Something had robbed you of your freedom, and where once it was open to everyone, now was a rich man's sport. And many leave because of it-the freedom of the ride and the fun of competition pricing them right out of the market. Too many rules, reminding us of why we started riding in the first place-the freedom. Losing their first love through no fault of their own.
Sadly I see this occur in churches. After meeting Jesus and enjoying the freedom He promises in the spirit, religion enters in. Man made rules via the church are made, and if they are not met, you are made to feel inadequate. The Pharisee taking over, telling us how by obeying their rules we are better Christians. "Read the Bible in a year, get closer to God." And true it will get you closer to God. But soon it becomes a burden, you miss a day, and then try to make it up. When asked how you are doing, the braggart asking tells how he is faithful, forcing you to lie. Robbing your freedom, and actually keeping you out of the Bible. Reminding you of how the law kills-but the spirit gives freedom. Life has interfered with your plans, and what should be freedom in the spirit, now becomes a legalistic burden. And soon they quit, and you quit seeing them in church, writing them off as having no faith, or worse yet, no Jesus. Killing the wounded, that they helped maim. The ones that Jesus died to rescue us from-the religious ones. Our decision, but maybe not our fault. When really it is the legalistic types that Jesus came to rescue us from. And just like the riders above, lose their first love. But thankfully Jesus never left us.
SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE
Three men regularly meet to ride on a Saturday morning. When one of them quits showing up, one of the others calls him the night before and leaves a message. Which he returns leaving a message the next morning. The two are discussing it while waiting for him, wondering if he will join them.
"Heard anything from Mikey?"
"Left him a message last night. And he left me one this morning. I had to listen to it twice, it almost sounded like he was drunk or high he was so happy. But you know Mikey, he never touches the stuff. He said he had hooked up with an old friend, and he was riding and hanging with him again. The name he mentioned almost sounded like Jesus, but I don't know anyone named Jesus, do you? Man he sure sounded good, I wonder who he was talking about? No one should be that happy."
Do you know Jesus? If not it is not too late to return to your first love. The freedom and joy you first had when you got saved is still available. The way out of religion, and into freedom in the spirit. A break from rules and those who impose them. Offering a joy to those who respond, a joy which is unspeakable. Taking us back to a simpler time when life was fun, and freedom had been paid for via the cross. If you wish to know this Jesus, please know He also rides. And can be found right now-even while riding. No rules. No regulations. No laws. Freedom via the spirit-which drew you to Him in the first place. Your first love-all others will be compared to it. Why not return to Him today. For riding only offers you freedom-only Jesus offers you the peace and joy that goes with it-anything else is just a lie. Ride with Jesus today. The antidote for when life interferes with your plans.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com