The few times while riding with someone who had a GPS and they led, we got
lost. At least as far as they were concerned, but I was OK, I still had gas,
and a few times just decided to change destinations. Avoiding the "I'm lost"
cliff. There is a reason they tell you to arrive with a full tank. Years ago
when we were younger and moved to Durango, we were invited to a Jaycee picnic.
We decided to go to meet new people, and followed the directions given. When we
came to a fork in the road, we took it, just not the right fork. And we ended
up 27 miles out of or way at Vallecito Lake. A road and also a destination we
might not have taken, based on time, gas in tank, other plans, or just not in
the mood to go there. But it turned out to be a blessing, as months later we
moved there. A beautiful area, 8300' altitude in the middle of a national
forest, with only 72 residents on 22 miles of shoreline. Whether you blame it
on poor directions, poor following, or lack of a GPS in those pre-GPS days, we
were blessed to just follow the road. Discovering we really didn't want to go
to that picnic after all. And that God had something better for us.
We have taken many trips like that over the years. Following roads just to
see where they go, all without the benefit of GPS, or a map. It upsets me when
I hear the stereotype that men don't ask for directions-I don't because I like
to go new places, and I'm not afraid to. What's your excuse? And what is your
result? Where you end up is based on where you were going, or where you go. Or
who you go with, or better yet follow. We don't do group rides either, I call
them crowd rides. You quickly find out most do not know how to ride, and can
hide that fact when riding with their unskilled peer group. The best example we
were ever part of was a group ride with Torches Across America, joining up with
3200 others on 9-11 to go into NYC, past ground zero, the Brooklyn Battery
Tunnel, then a feed and ceremony in Brooklyn. A great ride, exceptionally safe
and well organized until the leader took a sign that said "Brooklyn." Our
destination was Brooklyn, but we were going via the Holland Tunnel, the other
fork in the road, that the Port Authority police had shut down for us. Wrong
turn, and for an hour while the police tried to shut down the tunnel again, over
18 miles of motorcycles sat and waited. We did eventually make it to Brooklyn.
All without the help of a GPS!
"Ride your own ride," we tell people. It is safer, and can be more
exciting at the same time. Be yourself was the old 60-70's cry, a today many of
us still try to be ourselves. But too many do not allow Christ in their lives
the same luxury. While we are busy trying to find ourselves, we put Jesus in a
box, or on a GPS. Not allowing Him to ride His own ride, which is much better
than any we may be on. Restricting Him and not allowing Him to fully bless us.
Too many have become entombed in religion-which means bound by, and know when to
sit or stand based on denominational tradition, but don't know Jesus. Ever been
told no when inviting someone to church? Wonder why? And in this season of
many CEO's-Christmas and Easter only Christians, no wonder they feel
uncomfortable. I gotta dress up-OK by the girls, ties are a burden to me. We
have to act pious-what church do you go to? And we feel guilty if we don't put
money in the offering-others are watching and we want to appear Christian. What
stupid teaching did you adhere to? Rather than going to church, be reminded we
are the church. Look at your life-why would I want to be like you? Let alone
spend my free time with you and others like you? Where is the freedom Jesus
speaks of, yet all your church does is tell me all the rules-spoken or worse
yet, implied. They try to exercise being themselves, but yet do not allow Jesus
the same freedom-the same one who died so they could be free! And you still
wonder....which makes me wonder, and why I don't do many church visits anymore.
How many of you would sign up to spend a weekend in jail-voluntarily, yet sign
up to be bound up by religion? I love the freedom of knowing Jesus, of setting
off knowing He is with me. He guides, and leads, and prepares a way, and if I
get off of it or miss a turn, He is still there. He never left me, but often I
leave Him. He know s not only the way, but the way back. It takes a commitment
to follow, not just when it is convenient, but when it isn't. Faith is great,
but only when it leads to evidence-remember faith is evidence of things not
seen. Obedience is the sum total of faith...so why don't many allow Jesus to
lead? They trust a GPS, poor directions, religious dogma, and Oprah rather than
Jesus. Nostradamus was a great prophet, but not one of God. If alive in
Biblical times he would have been stoned-either you were 100% or dead. Only
those of God made the short list.
So rather than follow a computer-GPS, when you should or could be looking
at the road, follow the ultimate GPS, God's Perfect Son! Let Him out of the
box, and into your heart. Enjoy the freedom in the spirit, instead of the
futility and burden of religion. Allow Jesus to be who He is in your life, and
go down roads otherwise passed by. Take the fork in the road, sit at the
counter and eat. Stand up and sing at church, and tell others about Him. Let
the fruit of the spirit shine from within you, and maybe rather than asking,
others will be asking to go with you...to church! You can keep your rules, I
will keep my freedom. You can have your religion, I'll stick with Jesus. For
whether in a group or alone, you are never alone with Him. Come to think of it,
maybe I have been group riding with Him and never fully enjoyed it...just think,
even more freedom of the road in Christ. Now what real biker would say no to
that?
Quick, answer me, what has the law or legalism or religion added to your
freedom? And you wonder why I rather follow Jesus? What GPS are you
following? If you weren't ever lost, you never would have to be found...So this
Christmas, when opening boxes, open one and let Jesus out. Enjoy a gift that
keeps on giving. You see, there's this road I know...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com