To me a motorcycle with a duffle bag bungeed to the rear seat is one of the
most beautiful sights. I don't care what brand, what style, or even origin of
manufacture, any bike ready to go out and ride for a trip is my kind of ride.
Short trips-maybe a few days, or a real ride, 3-4 weeks, and when loaded just
have a special appeal to me. The call of the road, the quest for adventure, and
the freedom it represents get all my senses going into overload. Nothing else
compares, except maybe my dog's affection to walking. Mention the word, and she
is awake and ready. And all walks are good to her...just as getting on the road
is good for me. Maybe that is why dog is man's best friend.
Simple is good when travelling, and we have over the years learned to pack
light. We don't need to carry extra parts-today's bikes don't break, and the
2013 Tiger Explorer I am currently riding has shaft drive-no chain to worry
about, tubeless tires-no tubes to go bad, a tire can be plugged with less
hassle, and even has a ride by wire throttle-no cable to break or bind. So why
aren't we out riding more? Less time packing means more time riding.
I marvel at what many riders take on a trip. Bags, trunks, and more bags
bungeed to the top trunk. Even little accessory bags tied to forks, or any
place else they can be fit. Using the idiom that there is no place like home,
they take as much home with them as they can. I travelled to Canada with a guy
once who took all the Harley parts he could stuff in his bags, including oil,
just in case they didn't have any there. Guess what things he never needed to
unpack? But I guess it gave him a sense of security...all the way down to a
tool kit, and first aid kit! His only problem on the trip, a muffler style hose
clamp, a $1 item bought along the way. He never thought to pack one, I guess.
But yet we go out everyday, with a preset list for our daily journey, or
routine, taking along what we think we will need to get by. Be prepared the Boy
Scout motto says, but can we be over prepared, or wrongly prepared? Bruce had
all the essentials, he thought, but still had to visit a dealer. And borrow a
nut driver. I carried no tools, and had no problems. Go figure....
Today many packing lists consist of a cell phone, credit card, and AAA
card. No dimes needed for phone calls, no tool kits. Nothing left to fix-and
if it does, you need to be towed to a dealer. So why worry...enjoy the ride.
And we pack for 4 day intervals, no matter the distance or time frame. And what
you don't carry can be readily bought at a Wal-Mart, more accessible than many
McDonald's along the road any more. And so we set out, hoping we are prepared,
but never quite knowing until a situation arises...if only I had brought such
and such. Or maybe if you had just stayed home...perish the thought!
Where God guides He provides we have heard over the years. And despite all
the fund raisers, telethons, book sales, special offerings and the like, we find
a false hope in God. "If I get the finances, I can go on that missions trip,"
we hear. And send out letters to those who have less money, when they should go
directly to God. If He wants you to go, no amount of fund raising will help.
If He gave you the vision, He will fulfill it. Or don't we remember Jesus
telling His disciples to take no money, just what you have on you. God will
provide a place to stay, food to eat, and all your needs along the way. Better
than AAA! But yet we go out on our own, and fail. Blaming God, if only He had
known. When really it is if only we had trusted, then obeyed. And if it works
with touring, just imagine how it can work with such mundane events as daily
life?
So trust God. If you aren't you are trusting someone or something else.
Years ago a couple lost everything in a fire, including money hidden in their
home. "We planned for a rainy day, but not a fiery night," he explained. We
buy insurance, hoping we never get sick and have to use it. We buy extended
warrantees, hoping to never use them. Yet we turn from God, hoping we never
have to use Him. And when we do, then advising Him on how to handle the
situation. Presenting out case to Him, bragging on why He should help out, and
the time frame. Forgetting He already knows, and knew what was going to happen,
and has the solution worked out. ALL things work to good for those who love
Him...not just the pleasant things. ALL!
Over the years, and miles, I have found Him better than any insurance
policy. He even prevents things from happening-remember Him next time you stop
just in time. He has provided shops to open when closed, free meals, help when
needed, and held things together until we noticed the problem. He keeps His
word, do you keep His? Today ask Him what to take with you, He already knows
what you need. Travel light, without the clutter of worry or sin. And don't go
alone, take Him with you. You may find Jesus loves to ride, He spent most of
His ministry on the road, and never had a worry about packing, money, or food to
eat. Turn to Jesus and keep your eyes on the road, and all around you, without
fear or worry.
If Adam had never sinned, imagine how different the ride would be today.
In Jesus, you don't have to wonder. My personal preference for travelling is
Jesus. What's yours?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
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