As I sit here this drizzly, cold morning, I have no problem shielding
myself from the sun. It's out, but taken refuge behind cloud cover. And the
ground is wet, I note that my neighbors are wearing jackets when leaving the
house, this is not a normal So Cal morning. And due to the rain, and an
overwhelming sense of common, we have decided to take our weekend getaway in the
car instead of on the Tiger. A whole different mindset, way of packing, and an
unusual travel attitude for us. Usually we are packed, light and smart, we even
taught on packing a motorcycle for a trip before, and I marvel at all the things
we think we need since we will be taking the car. things I know we won't use,
and wouldn't take on the bike, but somehow feel needed in the car, or maybe it
is just because we have a trunk we think we need to fill it. At least if the
sun does come out, we can put the top down, not the same as on a motorcycle.
But open air touring all the same. Or so some non-rider told me.
It is a novelty for us to travel by car, just the opposite of most who
ride. We are confronted with decisions like what do we listen to on the radio.
Two people, two opinions, two choices of music. We get to talk with each other,
and miss the great conversations we don't have while riding. Simple pointing,
hand gestures, or a poke in the rib that would alert each other to things seen
will be absent. Even my speed control, Theresa squeezing me when I go too fast
is gone, the Mustang has cruise. We will take longer, traffic becomes a
problem, I still can't lane split with the car, and the weather just doesn't
matter. Cold and rain-I'm safe inside. Hot, turn on the air. No helmet head,
and I still instinctively wave to other guys riding when in the car, some habits
die hard, some never do. We will still visit some motorcycle shops, and the
welcome will be different, not where you're riding to, but just a hello. A
stranger instead of a fellow rider.
The fiscal impact on the trip will be considerable, as the Tiger gets
45mpg, the Mustang 20. Do the math at $4/gallon. Also in a car when we visit
antique stores, we buy more since we have a way to get it home, I guess the good
side is the shipping charges we save. Parking is different, whereas many places
we park for free, we now have to pay, and park farther from our destination. We
will stop at convenience stores for a Big Gulp instead of a drive-in and
visit-we can drink in the car while driving. Real motorcycles don't have cup
holders. And the list goes on and on, not complaining, but knowing today's trip
will be different. I have to admit it, I am spoiled and blessed by riding,
which brings up the question of you guys in cars, I don't know how you do it?
The why is still your problem.
Riding gives us a freedom of the road that few know about, if you don't
ride you don't get it. Instead of watching the weather, you fall asleep, it
doesn't matter in the car. Is it cold or hot, in the wind you know, in a car I
touch the window glass to tell. On a bike we look at the skies and anticipate
the conditions ahead, in a car we anticipate being back on the bike, looking
ahead to that. We miss the true freedom of the road, but yet we are still a
road traveler. Freedom is like that to a Christian also. We have this great
freedom in Christ to be who we are, and we are free from rules. I really mean
religion, and denominations who fill us with laws, rules, and ways to live.
Jesus gave us one commandment, and if we follow it, great things happen. We
enjoy the true freedom of the spirit in Him, not in religion. Rules cost us
more than freedom, they bind us and we are bound to follow them or risk
embarrassment, correction, or ex-communication from the denomination. I have
found the more rules, the more rules there are to break, increasing my chances
to sin. I don't need any help there. And I find many times that when you have
morals, you don't need the rules. Live for Christ, and you follow Him via the
Spirit, not a code or canon. Jesus came to fulfill the law, and also to rescue
us from it. Where the law pointed out our sin, Jesus offers redemption from
sin. He forgives, and we go on. So to me, a car can be like religion, bound by
the surroundings, and that is why we refer to them as cages. But a motorcycle
reminds me of Jesus and the freedom He offers. All five senses are heightened
when riding-you smell the air, feel the coolness in it, hear the music from your
exhaust, see things clearly, not from behind a windshield, and taste the things
around you. And so I ask again, you guys in cars, how do you do it?
I wish more people would ride, but there is not enough cool to go
around-and while riding may not make everyone cool, it brings it out of most of
us. But I really wish more people would call upon Jesus as their savior. And
for those who have, call Him master, and Lord-follow Him on the great roads He
has laid out, and the trips ahead for you. Enjoy the freedom that only
Christians know, and live life knowing that wherever the spirit of the Lord is
there is liberty. Freedom. All because you made the right choice to follow
Jesus.
I don't make many road trips in cars, this will be a novelty for us. But
already I know that once the weather clears, I will wish to be on a bike again.
You can dress for cold, dress for rain, and dress for hot. In a car, you just
roll up the windows. Religion is like that-life behind closed doors and
windows-looking out, just waiting for the sun to appear-when the Son already
has. Enjoy life to the fullest, bask in the freedom only Jesus can offer, and
ride more.
God knows about travel, and about the ways to do it. Acts 1:14 He tells us
they continued in one Accord. But Psalm 92:4 tells us we will Triumph in the
works of His hands. Tell that one to your non-riding friends. Scripture tells
us we will Triumph...also on a Harley, Honda, Suzuki...et. al. You others go
through life like a car pool in an Accord. And you wonder why we really ride?
You guys in cars, how do you do it? The real irony is Honda started out making
motorcycles. Where you used to meet the nicest people. And ended up in cars.
Try Jesus for your next ride...end up in the freedom of the Lord!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com