It has been said that to finish first, you must first finish. But little is said about starting, something we all have in common, particularly when compared to finishing. Take getting your bike started, for instance. Each day there is one less member of an entire generation of motorcyclists who limp due to kick starting. An entire generation of Brit bike ridiers who had engrained in them how to start their T120, TR6, or 441. How we all remember the procedure-turn on gas, push down ticklers until fuel soaks shoe and socks, pull in clutch and kick through to release clutch, then find TDC and kick away. And a fine tuned biker and bike would usually start on the second try, or start walking to work. Hobble actually, as part of the starting procedure was the kick starter coming back and slamming against your ankle, and at best leaving it bruised, with even some breaking due to ignorance. It took a real man, who would rather limp than drive a car, to start old bikes.
But with the Japanese invasion of motorcycles in the late sixties, all you did was push a button. After turning on the choke, your bike started, and off you went. Smiling, maybe that was why you met the nicest people on a Honda-no bad ankles. The only sacrifice was the endless stream of cussing from when the bike kicked you back. But being human, we soon found other reasons to express ourselves in the seven words you can't say on the radio.
But it was the kick starter, that lever that rested next to your right ankle when not in use, and threatened to render your ankles purple that gave way to a button-and living better through electricity. Perhaps the most important breakthrough, and the most overlooked invention ever in motorcycling. Allowing many to start riding, and continue riding long after their kick starting skills were gone. And a generation who was raised on it disappearing, hobbling off into the sunset of eternity, never having known the power of pushing a button.
Or of owning a pair of boots that didn't smell of hi-test.
Maybe the reason we don't like the beginning is because it takes so much effort. Starting a new job, going on a first date, and trusting God when getting into ministry. If only we could come along somewhere in the middle, and forego all the start up problems, we would be a lot better off. I would not want to start the ministry God has given me over today. But yet everyday I am faced with new challenges-new starting points. And when I look back over the past four years, what started with visiting a little girl in the LA Children's Hospital, has flourished into a daily devotional, read on six continents, translated into Russian, and a prisoner and patient ministry. Impatient sometimes if you ask me. You can throw in all the rest for fun. I don't mind the growth, please God, I don't want to have to start over.
But yet we find even God started in the beginning. In the beginning, out of nothing, a triune God created the heavens and the earth. A one time effort, without benefit of errors or kick starting. He was smarter than us, being God, and just spoke it all into existence. Even better than an electric starter-only God would know the best way! I wish I could adapt that to my Bonneville. So while explaining what came first, the chicken or the egg, to a man working at my house, he found joy in knowing it was the chicken. A self proclaimed science buff, it put God in perspective in his life. And hopefully has started him on a relationship with God, because of Jesus. This is his beginning. This is his start of knowing God-not just all about Him, but knowing Him personally. Much different.
So when faced with questions you cannot answer, turn to God. And just this once, let yourself be a kid again. Or still, in my case. Use the old stand-by excuse that kids in all countries have used for hundreds of years. When questioned about creation, just say "He did it!" Just like you would blame your little brother, lay the blame on God. He did it, and still does today. New beginnings for all who just meet Him, and continued joy for those of us old timers. Trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you into all knowledge, and peace. Think of it as a kick starter-with no kick back. No purple ankles, forget about the limp. Even forego the electric start, takes too long. Just open up to God today, and ask Him into your heart. Happens that quick.
That's the gospel-so easy even an old biker could use it. Or a housewife, student, prisoner, or doctor. Which leaves more time for riding. Hey honey, where did I leave the keys to the Bonne? Seems there will always be something...
Jesus Christ, the key to life. Why not start with Him today!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com