Before OPEC became a guiding force in our daily lives, $2 would buy a lot
of gas, and a lot of good times. I can remember my Dad commenting while filling
his '63 VW at a Sunoco station across from a new Corvette, "how can he afford to
drive that?" The year was 1968. The Vette was filling up with Sunoco 260,
racing gas at the pump for 32 cents/gallon, while the VW was taking 23
cent/gallon 190, the lowest grade. And his fill-up would last more then two
weeks, no comment on the Corvette. One measured in mpg, the other fun per
mile. You choose.
When filling our motorcycles, it was hard to put in a dollar. And in a
state where the law was full serve, it was always rumored the mob owned the gas
pump jockey's union, they would come out and stand there while you filled up.
The young guys in awe of your bike, the old guys not as impressed, as their
memories of Vincents and Indians were faster. And the legend continued.
But these were pre-OPEC days, and no one thought much of foreign oil.
Either it came from Pennsylvania crude, or Texas-a foreign country to those of
us living in Jersey. And then one day when gas jumped to 35 cents, we all went
into a panic. 35 cents! That's only 6 gallons for two bucks? It's gonna cost
us another dollar a night to cruise! And at four guys in a car, come across
with the quarter each of you! Which impacted our McDonald's intake, "just one
fry this time please." And for the first time I filled up for over a buck on my
Honda. And it really hurt when filling my R90S with 260, with its 6.3 gallon
tank at 50 cents/gallon, that was-robbery. A meal at Mickey D's cost less.
Never before in our lives had we seen such robbery-it had to be the
politicians!
So we did the proper thing, and moved to Ft. Lauderdale. Where the seniors
didn't get up till late, or at least off the golf course till noon, and the
lines were shorter. Except on odd/even days, or at one station who passed out
matchbooks-no matches, no match, or gas. And with great weather that January,
we used a lot of 260!
But few remember or even know that the Arab response with higher prices was
due to Israel. After the US of A support of our ally Israel in the Yom Kippur
War, they turned against us. And have been bleeding us dry ever since. Such
can be the cost of defending a friend. Something we fail to recognize today,
and may quite possibly be the epitaph of the US. The Bible tells us that God
will bless all who honor Israel, and curse her enemies. After some 4000 years
you might think we get it, but we don't. Again-politicians. But God know, and
continues to shed His grace on us, not holding the many responsible for the
few. And so normalcy bias has set in-the since I never have seen it, it won't
happen belief. Read history-it will.
So what do we do, despite our political lack of ethics? Drive less? Drive
smaller cars? Or do we take a stand for right-Jesus? For God also says if we
repent and turn to Him, He will heal our land. Anyone upset about healing?
Again the politicians. Why is it that politics and virtue, especially Christian
ethics are at odds with each other? And with so many Christians so wrapped up
in politics, and worrying about who will be elected, it is no wonder. How about
this, trust God. In Romans it tells us to pray for our leaders, that God has
appointed, whether we agree with them or not. Good times, thank Him. Bad
times, rejoice, His day of return is that much closer. And yet He continues to
take care of us and bless us. Can we truly be a Christian nation if we don't
bless God?
Turn to Jesus today. Stand with Him-He's already standing for you. Look
to Him, not the situation. Don't go to man, go to Him, and watch as He meets
your needs. But you need to trust Him, and the more you know Him, the more you
trust Him. Not knowledge, not religion, a relationship with Him. A friendship.
A covenant-a contract with no expiration date.
Gone are the days of trusting your car to the man who wears the star. It
is time to trust the one who is the bright morning star. Who meets all your
needs, and who is a friend of Israel. Will you back politicians, or Jesus?
Many of us already have made the decision, and live worry free in Christ. Today
is the day to take your life off empty and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The
fill-up is on Jesus, and will refill you every day. All you need to do is
trust. Maybe the easiest, yet hardest thing you will ever do.
And I will continue to ride, at 45mpg, smiling in their face. Living well
used to be the best revenge. Living for Jesus is the best. Even for those who
still ride just for fun of it. Do you think maybe we're onto something?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
