The ad looked good, and the destination an easy
days ride. The cause seemed worthy, and the opportunity to minister was a good
thing. So off I rode to Paso Robles, to meet up with this group dedicated to
honoring 9-11 victims and their families. Usually a 375 mile ride, I was
excited to take the Bonneville, and then ride back with them the next day.
Usually it is the Tiger or a Triumph Press Fleet bike for longer rides, but the
Bonne and I needed some seat time together, so off I went. Turning a 375 mile
trip into over 500 miles by dinner time, taking all the back roads without
consulting anyone else, and riding my own pace-fast. And arriving at the motel
on Paso just in time for the ceremonies to start. Except the only things
missing were other bikers, and the ceremony. Even the motel manager knew
nothing about it, so I went off to eat, and then checked back. No one else,
except for over the road rigs, so it being early, still light in August-100
degrees, I decided to return home that night.
I was making good time, only stopping for gas,
and was over Lake Cachuma and into Santa Barbara at nightfall. Only 225 miles
and two tanks of gas to go. But in Thousand Oaks the smell of IN-and-OUT
overwhelmed me, and I braved the crowds of the cheerleaders, their camp had just
let out, and all the rah rah was just what I needed for the last leg of the
trip. One more fuel stop, then bed for me. And I was home and in bed by 11pm,
riding 875 miles that day, a long day, but longer on the Bonneville, not the
touring bike everyone else would have taken. But my choice, and a good one.
More miles than I had anticipated, but the true meaning of the road being the
destination was on my mind as I fell asleep that night.
And the next night at Biggs I found out they had
detoured, too many 300 mile days had worn the group out, and they took the
freeway on the last leg. Which made me wonder, did the others planning to meet
them find out, or was I the only one planning to meet them? A bit upset, but
happy about the ride anyway, I finally realized God had done me a favor and I
had missed the chance to ride another freeway. It took them 10 hours to go just
over 300 miles the last day, not my kind of riding. You do the math. And the
Bonneville would have to wait another day to ride great roads, if I had. So in
the end, God had known, but provided me with a great ride, a great day, and a
great bike to do it on. What to me was a change of plans, and a detour, to Him
was no surprise.
Isaiah 65 tells us that before we even ask God
is answering our prayers. Nothing surprises Him, but most of life does us. And
just like there are good and bad surprises, God shows us favor in them all when
we trust Him. Which can be easy to do, or difficult, again our choice. I could
have stayed in Paso at the Melody Ranch Motel, our usual overnight place and a
trip back to the 50’s, but I got to enjoy the ride, the cheerleading, and slept
in my own bed that night. Next to my wife. Better than any ride. So when
Jeremiah tells us that God knows the plans for us, for good things, I like to
trust Him. But did you ever wonder, why doesn’t He tell us ahead of time? I
thought I was listening to God, when all I found was a surprised motel
clerk?
I have found that God doesn’t tell us so that it
avoids an argument. Whining, crying, and then arguing with God about His plans
for us, would only led us into trouble. We do that well enough on our own, have
you ever had to ask for more trouble in your life? But have you ever had to ask
Him to rescue you? Also have you ever been able to negotiate with God, thinking
your ideas are better, and His are just the starting point? Why argue, when you
could be riding? How many blessings do we miss each day, because we complain
rather than obey?
Take Peter for example. Imagine if when in the
garden, and the little girl accused him of being with Jesus, he said “yes, what
of it?” What if he was taken away with Jesus and crucified? Would there have
been four crosses at Calvary that day, or only three, and the thief would not
have encountered Jesus, and missed Paradise that night? Yet God knew, and still
knows, knowing what Peter would say and do, and turning it into something good.
Like Joseph related to his family, what the devil meant for evil, God meant for
good.
We can all use some more good, can’t have too
much. Start by asking God what His will for you today is, just like Jesus
advised in the Lord’s Prayer. How about God’s will rather than your own? Did
you stop to realize all the blessings you miss by not asking, and how you can
interfere with others when you go off on your own selfish way? When the good
roads await when you ask. You see I had a great ride until I was told no in
Paso, then had to make a decision. I could have been bitter, and missed a great
days ride back home, the cheerleaders and waking up in my own bed the next day,
by my wife. But I chose to go on, and found myself to be blessed. Calling on
God the entire day, alone with Jesus, good stuff. It seems the best testimonies
are born out of tragedy, when you let God intervene. Why ask God why when you
can be spending time with Him on really important things, like “hey God, where
do you want to go riding tomorrow?” Man plans, God laughs. All in a day’s
ride...may you have many more of them.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot