For the first 27 years of our marriage, Theresa was my buddy seat sitter. Then one day, she and Christopher decided to take riding lessons, at the suggestion of a friend, to see if they really wanted to ride. When I received a phone call on their first break advising me to "get me a bike of my own," I knew it was serious. And so I did, a used 2003 red Bonneville. Which they shared, with Christopher riding it 95% of the time. But one day she was able to pry it from his hands, and took her first solo ride. The next phone call I got was not as encouraging. While sitting at a light, someone had run into the truck in back of her, and then the truck hit her-sending her up in the air, and the bike traveling over 60' without her on it. Totaled! But she was OK. A hit and run no less, but they caught the loser, and he did more jail time! But would she ever ride again?
After being told that she didn't do anything wrong, and encouraged by the other three riders in the family, we took the money from the settlement and bought me a new bike-she wanted my blue Bonneville. Funny how God works things out. And she decided to ride again, despite bad advice, and any personal fears she might have had. She had to trust God. And a wise decision it was, as she has now ridden over 45,000 miles herself, and almost 100,000 addition miles as my buddy seat sitter since then. Her commitment was displayed when Pastor Fred offered to trailer her bike to the Hollister Rally that year with his, a 1000 mile round trip ride. "No, I'm riding," she said, and did, and has more than once. But the change came when she had to deal with her fears of riding. Or more precisely, of being hit again. A decision not made easily, as it would have affected our lives, lifestyle, ministry, and our marriage. But her fear of God-aka respect, far outweighed her fear of danger, and her trusting God has led to countless trips, in over 48 states, and ministry opportunities beyond description. A lesson for all who fear injury, but not God.
Ezekiel 47 tells of a man who is walking by a river with God. A river flowing from a holy mountain, and then into a sea that is alive. A sea alive with the Lord. At first the man walks on the shore, ankle deep, and is blessed. But as God leads, he is soon waist deep. More blessings, but still he can touch bottom. Still walking on his own. God is just along for the walk at this time. Finally he is tested when he is told to go where he must swim, where he cannot touch bottom, and to trust God. And when he does, the best blessings are there. The water being a symbol of the Holy Spirit, it is only when fully immersed you see the greater things of God. It is when you trust Him, and not your situation, so you see the love poured out. And multiple blessings unfold, blessings not found when your feet are secure. Ask Peter, for when he walked on the water to Jesus, he could have bragged how "he" walked on the water, when really it was just an act of obedience. But when he fell in, and the water was deep, over his head, with a storm raging, that Jesus reached out and grabbed him to safety. Then, it became personal.
Today you will have the chance to join those who quit under adversity. I hear too many "real bikers" who never will ride again after a small fall. And let a passion that God has given them be taken away. When really, if they trusted God, the results would be much different. Too many blessings missed by giving up. Fearing situations rather than revering and trusting God. So fear God, just like the gospel says. Not out of fear, like falling, but out of respect for who He is. Trust Jesus. If He can save your soul, don't you think He can ride with you?
Ask my wife. For her decision that day, like yours, will impact others. A decision I am glad she made. For ministry is one thing, but like riding, it is much better when you do it with the one you love. Together we do both together. But came that close to losing it all. Just ask the man who walked on the water, which event changed his life more. And trust Jesus in all you do.
Seven more years of riding together, 48 states, 45,000 miles on her own bike, and the endless times we got blessed-together. With more to come. All based on one decision-trusting God. No excuses-you can either ride or trailer your bike through life. As for me and my family, we choose to ride with the Lord. Make the right decision today-and let the blessings begin. Ride without your feet touching the ground, lean deeper into the curves and see more of Jesus and His blessings than you ever could from behind a windshield. Immersed in the love of the Holy Spirit. Whoever says Jesus doesn't ride never asked Him along. He does and loves to. Your choice....Like her license plate frame says "Girls ride too-get over it!"
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com