My friend Lance sold me my first new Triumph some 16 years ago. So we go
back a ways with Triumph, and were commenting on how well the brand is doing.
But then we started to talk about a "new" generation of riders who had never
heard of them. "Does Honda make them? Are they new? Where's England? And are
they like a Harley?" And the answers are- NO, NO, northwest of Europe, and yes,
and no. And he told me of one particular young guy who had just left his
store. About 20, he was very interested in motorcycles, and never heard of
Triumph. "What are they all about?" he wanted to know.
So Lance explained how they are celebrating their 110th birthday this
year. Not impressed. So Lance asked if he heard of Marlon Brando. Who? How
about Lee Marvin? He had heard of Clint Eastwood. James Dean? Please say
yes. Do you know about Steve McQueen? More blank looks. When Lance explained
all these guys rode Triumphs, because they were cool, he wasn't impressed.
Leaving the store maybe looking for a safer ride, one not so famous. Definitely
not so cool. Now I know what the problem with this generation is-they have no
cool. In fact, they are so uncool they don't even know what cool is.
Brando was cool. He was the Wild One. So cool he rode his own Triumph
Thunderbird in the movie. When asked what are you rebelling against, he
answered, "whatta ya got?" Maybe he wasn't acting, just being himself. Lee
Marvin, another man's man used to race his Triumph on weekends, after riding it
out to the desert. One of the best chase scenes ever was in Coogan's Bluff,
where Clint chases the bad guy, both riding Triumphs, through Central Park. No
one ever said Clint wasn't cool. James Dean became more famous for cool after
his death, but while alive rode all he could. There again, on a Triumph. Like
the song says, "he was too fast to live, too young to die..." But the King of
Cool is still Steve McQueen. Racing on weekends under the alias of Harvey
Mushman, his public wasn't sure if he was an actor that raced, or a racer that
acted. Steve would rather be known as a racer, better class of people. No one
was cooler than Steve, from the Elsinore Grand Prix to the 1964 ISDT, he was
happiest when riding. The perfect combination of cool-Steve and Triumphs. But
he was so cool, that when asked did he do the driving in Bullitt, he answered
"no, Bud Ekins did it." Bud was Steve's hero, the man who taught Steve to
ride. And while we all wanted to be cool like Steve, Steve wanted to be cool
like Bud. Racer, stuntman, owner of the largest Triumph dealership in the USA
in Hollywood, and cool. Way cool. Quick, where are all the cool guys today?
What has the latest generation have to offer? Who is so cool that both men and
women want to hang with them?
I wonder...if this kid ever heard of Jesus Christ? Talking of cool, no one
was ever cooler. Like Brando, He was a rebel. He was against religion, and
what it did to men's relationship with God, so He died so we could know God.
Like Marvin, He was tough on the outside, but tender on the inside. He could
heal a blind man, or go without food for 40 days. He was love. Like Clint, He
has some famous quotes. "Go ahead, make my day." For today is the day of
salvation. He said it over 2000 years ago, when He showed His love for us while
dying on a cross, an innocent man. Like Dean He was a true rebel with a cause.
Recorded in John3:16. "For God so loved the world, He gave His only son, that
whoever believed on Him has eternal life." And like Steve, He was the King of
Cool. Also King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Almighty God. Terms not equated
with anyone else in history. He was God, and He was with God. Something only
God could do. Now that's cool.
And He is still alive today, offering eternal life to those that seek Him.
He still heals the sick, meets all your needs, and wants to get to know you. So
you can know Him. He is so cool that He even calls you His friend! And in
everything He does He gives glory to God. The coolest man who ever lived, still
lives today. How cool is that?
You see this generation needs someone cool to lead it. Jesus Christ is the
answer. The only one cool enough, and loving enough. He is God! And calls
out to us, He knows our name! Will you become His friend today? How cool to be
in heaven, and have Him introduce you as His friend. And He is willing to do it
right now, while we live here on earth.
No one was, is, or will ever be cooler than Jesus Christ. You might call
Him a Triumph in His own right. And you would be right. Maybe you are what you
ride. Too bad I wasn't there, I would have told this young man all about
Jesus, the coolest. But there are many who don't know or have rejected Him.
That is not cool. There are many brands of motorcycles to ride, let a Triumph
in Jesus be the next ride you take, the best decision you will ever make.
Riding with Jesus, who calls you friend-now that's cool!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com