It seems lately everyone I encounter has a story to tell about
speed, in particular going fast. And as the cars go faster, the stories get
more unbelievable. It seems poetic license when it comes to facts is standard
issue in bench racing, but when it comes time for the flag to drop, the myths
are quickly separated from reality. Take for instance the man with the 150mph
Sportster, which would make him the fastest ever. Sadly he was broken down
while waiting for a friend with his truck to get him, if not he wanted to race
to prove it to me. A legend in his own mind, with a 120 mph speedometer, I
wanted to ask how he knew he went 150, seems 55 was the order of the day for
him. And possibly a new top speed. Por Favor used to brag how his car, a 69
SS396 pegged the speedo at 120. And still had enough room under the gas pedal
to put an egg. When questioned why he didn’t pin the throttle, he replied he
didn’t need to, 120 was fast enough. If only the engineers at NASCAR or GM had
only talked to him, all his speed secrets never fully utilized. I once knew a
man who ran his motorcycle a quart low on oil, reduce weight, and friction.
OK. Reminds me of the old joke about tires, the reason they weigh so much is
because they have 35 pounds of air in them, so by reducing the pressure, he
eliminated weight. Or so he bragged...I once asked an engineer why larger
displacement engines weren’t lighter, due to the fact the cylinders were larger,
hence less metal. Still waiting on an answer for that one. Or the guy who
brags how fast his car is, by showing off all the speeding tickets shoved into
his glove box. Want proof, well, there you are. And so it goes, that whoever
speaks first, will ultimately be the slowest. Cars only get faster, as our
memories fill in the lost details with whatever best fits the occasion, and
legends are created.
My friend Bouke was fast, and if someone was ever faster, he
sold that bike and built another. Street or strip, or on the track, he had
backed up his reputation, and was well known. Now in every town across the good
old US of A there is a hangout for the gear heads, or those of us who like fast
cars and bikes. In Middlesex, it was a McDonalds, with a huge parking lot,
where all those who fast cars still couldn’t get them a date hung out. Bouke
was the exception, as he was married, and on more than one occasion cleared the
lot just by arriving. On one Friday night, even the weirdest guys had dates on
Saturday night, the three of us pulled in on our motorcycles. Bouke’s Z-1 was
well known, and we had been told no one would test that fact. It was a warm
summer night, and the lot was filled, but as we pulled in, cars started to
leave. Much to early for curfew, a day early for dates, yet the lot quickly
emptied. With only a few others on bikes remaining, we got off and asked what
was going on. One nod to Bouke was all it took to figure it out. These fast
cars were intimidated by him, and as fast as they were, they were no match for
him. And didn’t want to risk embarrassment by being challenged. Seems someone
was always bragging about how they could beat him, yet that night all
challengers took off in search of safer grounds, or at least a less fast parking
lot. Just his pulling in cleared the lot, this guy was truly an intimidator.
Yet he just liked going fast, and never challenged anyone else, I guess he never
had to. And the $1.50 spent on a Big Mac, fries, and a Coke was our victory
dinner that night.
On the other end of bragging, I went to high school with a guy
who had a fast Mustang, until Vinnie showed up in his Boss 302. This guy was
used to intimidating others by only racing for pinks, and had never found a
challenger. Until Vinnie said OK, and then suddenly he had to go. Clearing the
lot faster than Bouke did, and missing after school for a number of days, just
in case Vinnie came by. And to me the legend was born, “losers have excuses,
winners have testimonies.” It is competition that brings out the best, and
worst, some just getting their their pussy cat car in trouble by their alligator
mouth. And I never got to know how fast Vinnie’s car was, no one would race
him. And Bouke had few challenges as time went on. And the legends
grow...
Sadly some who call themselves Christians approach God like
that. Bragging on Him, but never asking Him into their lives. Living on
legend, hearsay, or whatever the pastor says and thinking this is what it is all
about. But with Jesus it is personal, and it takes participation. From you.
Some claim to know all about Him, and waste little time trying to impress. Some
hide from public, afraid of those who walk with Him, in case they should be
called to testify. While others live in the shadow of doubt, claiming to
believe the Bible, but doubting it can happen to them. Healing, not for them.
Go straight to worry. Finances, it is easier to seek better employment than to
seek God. And when it comes to marriage, settle on divorce, while telling
others how to run their marriage. God must have been wrong, or they wouldn’t be
dissolving their marriage. When the problem lies with them, and believing lies
rather than truth. So when I hear testimonies about miracles, I want to believe
them. But some like Vinnie’s Boss are based on legend, rather than reality. So
when the truth does come along, we tend to doubt. Like when I share about my
plastic aorta, even nurses doubt it, “no one lives through that.” But when I
show them the scar, they believe. Proof that God was there, that Jesus healed
me. It seems we want to believe, we just need a little more faith to do
it.
I get upset when Thomas is referred to as Doubting Thomas.
Nowhere in scripture is he referred to as that, and he wasn’t a doubter. He
wanted proof, and all the others had seen Jesus. While hiding in an upper room,
wondering what would happen to them. Yet he desired the same, and told them
so. Unless I touch those wounds, yet when Jesus confronted him, he never
touched the wounds, he knew his voice. “My Lord and my God,” and now he
believed. Just hearing His voice was enough.
God gave Thomas a testimony like many of ours, we doubt what God
can do. If I can only see Him, then I’ll believe. Yet we are told that
believing is seeing, just the opposite. Today you will be required to trust God
based on who He is, and may not see or feel Him. That is faith, trusting God
when there is no evidence of Him. But His spirit will guide you, and when
obedient, you will be blessed. And a testimony made to be shared, to encourage
others. You may not be called upon to part the waters, or even walk on them.
Maybe just buy a Coke for a thirsty man. Listen to a stranger. Hold a place in
line for someone. Something simple we can do. But the challenge will be there,
are you up to it? Better yet, is God up to it? Due to Bouke’s reputation, many
never saw how fast he really was, or could be. We never saw how fast Vinnie’s
Boss was against some loud mouth. And I have never seen a 150 mph Sportster.
Legends, but never seen by me.
Jesus is real. Invite Him into your daily routine today. The
challenges are there. Ask to see Him, touch Him, and be with Him. Exercise the
little faith you have, the same amount given to all, and watch as legends become
reality. And reality becomes a daily occurrence in your life. And when it
encourages others, watch as the devil flees when you show love to the unlovely.
You see, the reputation of Jesus Christ is waiting for you to spread the story
of Him, the gospel. The legend lives on, only to be supported by evidence.
Share some today, and not a glove box full of tickets. For losers will always
have excuses, for the rest of us we have Jesus. He has the scars to prove it.
What’s your testimony?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com