Since I like to read a lot, I read a lot of different things. Books, magazines, a very infrequent forward, and of course my Bible. And I learned years ago how to search for key words and phrases, so as to judge the story as more readable in depth, or pass on it. So I have learned on things like road tests to read the last paragraphs-to see what the tester's conclusion is. Headlines-well they can be deceiving, they just want you to read the story. But the last paragraph, it sums things up. Now some readings are predictable, the Hardy Boys always solve the crime, and end up with all forgiven by Aunt Gertrude, Nancy Drew always solves the crime that trained detectives can't, and Tom Swift always invents something new, usually out of household items-like a compact atomic bomb from banana peels, shoe laces, his pocket knife, and horse radish. Crude, but it works. And when asked how he did it, "well, something I have been thinking about for some time."
But the good endings, or interesting ones, I go back and read, and reread. And motorcycle road tests of bikes I have ridden always require several readings. To see what these professional riding editors say about the same machine I rode, except I have over 1000 miles on it, they may have only 100, or just spent an afternoon with it. And without fail, they have to find something wrong with it. Perfect bike, except it vibrates. It's a Harley, like duh? Handles great on the street, but has a small shake at 150 on the track. Again, it's street bike, and no, you don't have to admit to going 150 to me-at least not by the speedo! I have read where road testers didn't like the color and condemned the bike. But the one that always sticks in my mind goes back to 1998. Triumph was new to the states, and they had a model called the Thunderbird Sport, and it was compared to a 1200 Sportster in comparison test. Despite only 885 cc's, it outdid the Sporty in every category-brakes, 1/4 miles, comfort, price , and top speed. Yet the last paragraph showed the Sportster as the winner! Which you never would have guessed if you hadn't read the text!
And by coincidence, the editor who wrote the story happened to be in OCT one Saturday when I was there, and they were giving him a hard time. And his only defense was, "that wasn't the story I wrote, it was the story they told me to write!" You see it all came down to money-advertising revenue, and Triumph didn't do much-if at all, and some people criticized Harley for spending too much. But since they did, their revenue helped influence the road tests. Believe it or not-Honda was not perfect during the sixties-but they advertised a lot! Not right, as we all know, and I have learned from that experience to read the entire article. And count the ad pages to see how it effected the end result. You see, I had a T -Bird Sport, so I knew the bike. Great bike-but horrible tachs-I used up 10 in 25,000 miles. Never mentioned that in the story. And yes, don't just go by the last page to see who dunnit. Read the text. Get the facts, before you comment. Rarely if ever will you meet the author. Maybe lucky for both of you.
There is a popular tale that when you come to Christ your world is made perfect. And I have seen young believers give up on God when things get tough. They only read the end, where we win, but don't get into the meat of the Word, seeing how there will be trials and tribulation. They think God is their Genie to solve all their problems, and make them rich. But as Jesus promised, there will be trials, but He will take you them. If you trust. And bring you closer to Him through them.
Read the entire book. Yes-we win! But the battles await us. Don't skip over the how to parts and miss the excitement. And realize if you never got sick, you wouldn't know Jesus as the great physician, if not hungry and broke-He wouldn't be your great provider. If you never were lied to or betrayed by a friend, you wouldn't know what He endured in the Garden. And if you never repented, you would miss what a great savior He is! Blessings each one-but all through trials. Mercy is a great thing-too bad you must screw up to get it!
So read the book. All of it, and watch as your relationship with Him grows. Some may claim to know about the man, but you can say you know Him. And how He took you through trials and tribulations. And heaven still awaits. The truth, with no advertising revenues influencing the outcome. The road test author knew the truth-but printed a lie. God is truth, and will rescue you from the lies.
And as with so many roads, the destination is important. But you always remember the trip, and how you got there even more. See you in heaven-and hopefully along the way. What a long strange trip it has been! And will be!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com