The purpose of an advertisement is to get you excited about the product, then into the showroom, where a trained salesman can show you how you can't live without it, and help you figure out what you can live without while making the payments. So in 1983, when Honda shocked the riding world with a V-4 motor, and put it in a race type package, called a VFR750, we were impressed. And even more so when my friend Don bought one. When he got the call from Gary at Handlebar Cycle it had come in, we finished our routes early and went down. Mike in service was just taking it out of the crate, and was actually using a torque wrench during assembly. Now we had heard of torque wrenches, and had seen them used as hammers, and pry bars-but to actually use one to assemble a bike, this must be one awesome machine! And it was, and Don even made a trip to So Cal from Durango with me.
But remembering how the early eighties were a golden era, the market for performance no longer fell to a small 750, it took 1000cc to buy in. And so Honda came out with a VFR1000! 117 horsepower! My wife's Mazda only had 82! I had to have one, and soon was trying to figure out to influence my banker how to lend me the money, my wife to see the need-read lust, and how my kids just may never go to college-Dad had to ride! But as much as the ads told me it was the ultimate bike to have-it even had a blue seat, which suddenly made all other seats seem dull, the magazines panned it. 117hp, was only 95. It was heavy, hot, fast but ill handling, and almost $2000 more than the 750. And they sat for years on dealership floors-Gary as late as 1987 trying to sell me his new 1984. And I had lost all interest in it-an early lesson on real life, and lust. When the advertising is the products major strength-stay away. The ads were great, the product in no way would deliver. And I cannot ever remember seeing one except in showrooms-not one on the road. Where as limited views produce limited lives, here an excellent advertising campaign produced a huge view, I was only saved from it by God. Always remember, all lies are based on truth. Even when it comes to motorcycles. Save the stories for bench racing.
When I first got saved a popular story was of a young Mexican man-I lived in Albuquerque, and how a faith teacher taught all he had to do was name it, claim it, and God would provide it. Being a huge Cadillac fan, he asked for one, even knew all the options he wanted, and sat home for a week waiting for the car to magically appear in his driveway. When it came time for church on Sunday, and no car, he never went back. Partially pride mixed with disappointment, he was embarrassed and figured God was a liar-based on the teacher's lie. Trusting man, but doubting God left him alone and at odds with God. Never a good place to be. Still not sure if God is a GM man or not.
I tell people if I have a house fire, hand me an extinguisher, not a checkbook. Meet the need! And when we had a fire, did exactly that. God provided the extinguisher-no check or money would have put out the fire. I had a definite need, and God provided, thankfully. And I wonder, do we live in a VFR1000 world, wanting to believe all the sizzle the ad promises, do we give up on God when the Cadillac of our prayers never shows up in my driveway, or am I thankful when God meets my needs and puts out the fire? Thankful wins in my book. Today we have no idea what will come next. I think in a 1000cc existence, but have learned to live in a 750cc world. Where God provides, Jesus saves, and we obey. God watches out for those who are his and obey, He also watches out for those who don't! Imagine if you would the outcome of a new VFR1000 in my garage. No money to ride it, strained banking relationships, strained marriage, and Christopher no college. Just so I could ride...
Ask Jesus to help you today. Let the spirit guide you. Two years later I got my 1000cc ride, an FJ1100, a year old leftover, at dealer cost, and put over 75,000 miles on it-6600 in the first week! A much better bike, at much less money. Waiting on God has its rewards. God not only rides, but can read ads and negotiate a better deal than you ever can.
If your god's major attribute is found in its advertising, try truth. The truth, found only in Jesus Christ. Whether on two wheels, or four, He is looking out for us. An extinguisher when we need it, and a motorcycle to feed the passion He gave us. Still dreaming? Still lusting when you could be out riding? Trust God! Motorcycles may come and go-only Jesus will last forever.
Hey, did you see the new ad for the Kawahonaha-Triguzzi? 250 horsepower, and only $39,995! Let's see, if I sell everything I own, live with relatives, and get 10 year financing...I still can't afford groceries and gas for it! Only in God, does a no protect us, and lead us to a much better yes later on!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com