Before I ride with someone for the first time, I like to ask them questions. How fast and how far are we going? Freeways or backroads? How many in the group? And then I make the final decision whether to ride with them or not. How fast can mean 55mph on a freeway-"gotta obey the law," they say, as cars go whizzing by giving us dirty looks, and how far can mean 50 total, or 200 miles to get there. Freeways-sometimes you just gotta, but back roads are still the best. And then the how fast issue-some can't handle turns, or have even come to the point in their riding where they enjoy them. Lean? Are you crazy? How many in the group is usually my excuse to go by myself. Sadly we have taught ourselves to be courteous to the slowest rider, dumbing down our speed and skills, when they should attempt to get better. I thought courtesy worked both ways. And why, I ask, do some take their only day off to ride, and ride with someone too slow, on roads they hate, and never leave the neighborhood? And grouse about it all week, until they repeat the same exercise the next weekend? Fun? Not for me!
With so many roads to ride, places to eat, and places to see you need to have a sense of adventure. A desire for more than what you already know, and more than where you have already been. Where does that road go? I wonder how good are the burgers there? Maybe let's spend the whole day riding-not stopping and talking every 45 minutes-we do call it a ride don't we? And when you do, you learn more about yourself also. How after 500 miles, a good meal can revive you, and how a strange bed can let you sleep so well. How waking up in a different place changes your whole attitude on today's ride, a cool morning on the road is invigorating, when the same temperature at home would let you stay there. Knowing in an hour it will be hot, so you ride to an unknown diner, and eat their specialty, and then back on the road, full and comfortable. And excited...the road lies ahead! And then you repeat the process, wishing you had more time-a weekend suddenly isn't enough. And end up passing on the same old rides your friends take. And when they wonder "what's the matter with you, is he crazy?" you know it is really what is the matter with them. And you can only hope they break out of their miserable syndrome of the same road, the same diner, with the same people. Realizing they may be crazy-the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, but expecting different results. It takes a miracle sometimes, or maybe just a simple invitation, maybe they are just waiting for you to ask.
The early church faced a similar situation. They were comfortable where they were. But God had told them to take the gospel on the road-to all nations. Jerusalem, your local roads. Judea-maybe a long day trip. Samaria-how about a 500 mile day, with an overnight? But since they resisted, He let persecution come upon them, so they had to flee, sometimes for their lives, but stayed true to God as they went. That is how the gospel spread. And that is the way to "preach the gospel everyday." As you go, let it be your example. Anyplace you encounter someone else, you have the chance to share Jesus. Maybe not by words but by attitude. Maybe not by your colors or shirt, but by your actions. Someone is always listening, I know I will be surprised in heaven when someone says I heard you talking about Jesus at the bike shop, or diner, or wherever....it is how you respond to them, how you interact. I have even found that just giving them a card after talking with a "call me if I can ever help" has led many to call for prayer-or to call with prayer for others. So many fail when they think that evangelism is inviting people to church. I have never met anyone who at sometime in their life didn't have a problem with church-or the people. Be a friend first-or don't you remember that Jesus calls us friend? Do you listen more easily to your friend, or would you rather argue with your enemy?
Listen to others. Show love, compassion, empathy, before you speak. Or advise. Jesus may have taught in the temple, but He ministered out on the streets. With whoever He met. Not a heavy theological diatribe to impress, but simple signs of concern showing He cared. Meeting them where they were, how they were, and with what they needed. He called it love. Don't you love to ride? Maybe there is something to spreading the gospel....
Today we are the temple that the Holy Spirit dwells in. Take the temple to others. Ride with them, listen to them, and sit and eat with them. What a blessing to those who are Christian bikers that we get to ride as we spread His gospel. That we have the freedom of the road, in the spirit, and that truly there are so many roads, and so little time.
So quit bragging about what a great rider you are-show me. And quit bragging about all the things you know about God-show me. Just simply love me. Keep it simple, and keep it on the way to your next destination. All my roads eventually lead to heaven. It's time to show the lost the real road to Christ. No preaching-let the spirit flow through you. Bring the church to them. Be the church, that refreshing water we all thirst for.
Never ever has there been a better time to ride and share Jesus. Now, where are you going to ride today? I hear there is this great road out of Judea, goes through Samaria...as you go, preaching the gospel, only using words when needed. Wanna ride?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com