Cool is not something that can be defined. It is sorta like demanding
patience-right now! Or bragging about how modest you are. Once you verbalize
it, or tell someone how cool you are-you aren’t. Cool goes far beyond anything
tangible, it comes from deep inside, but can be manifested in the physical. For
instance, Christopher and I are sitting at a light on out Bonnevilles, where
right in front of us is a new one, with the paper plates still on it. Shiny and
beautiful-the bike, the rider thinks he is too, as he is shiny in his new
leathers, and exercising his wrist waiting for the light to change. People in
cars are looking, as they do at Bonnevilles, and this guy is digging it. The
light turns green, and he takes off, and half way through the intersection, the
bike bogs down, and wants to quit, starving for fuel. As I pull up next to him,
I point at his petcock, and he gives me a blank look. As he pulls over, I pull
next to him, reach over and turn his fuel on, and the bike stumbles to life. As
it does, we ride off, watching as this rookie mistake has taken all the cool out
of his ride. No shiny leathers, not even his cool bike could cover for his
rookie mistake. He may return to being cool again some day, but for now anyone
who has seen him, or hears of him, knows how uncool he really is. We have all
been there, and it seems the bigger the crowd, the bigger the embarrassment.
Funny how one simple twist of his left wrist, turning on the gas, had such a
profound effect on the twist of his throttle wrist. A lesson he probably will
never forget, and if accused will deny. But we know-because we were there. And
also because at one time or another, he was us.
Now if he had just turned it on himself, and rode on, that would have been
cool. Blame it on the new bike, or the dealer, but when a fellow biker has to
do it, that ‘s just not cool. You cannot teach experience, you have to
experience it for yourself. Just like cool cannot be described, either you have
it or you don’t, grace works the same way. You cannot describe grace, it is
something that must be experienced. First hand. And walking in the spirit is
the same. I don’t always realize when I am walking in the spirit, but like the
man losing his cool, I know when I am not in it. Grace works the same. I can
see the grace of God when I trust Him, and let Him lead me, but when I make one
wrong turn, grace goes on, without me. But fortunately God’s mercies don’t, and
they beckon me back to the right course. Sometimes as simple as turning on the
gas, when I repent and turn back to Jesus, the ride continues. But sometimes it
takes some time spent on the side of the road, before God can get your
attention. It may take a call for help, or to a friend, but grace is not an
isolated event. Or experience. It takes two-you and Jesus. Getting your eyes
off you, and onto Him. Alone it ain’t grace. But God is always there to offer
it, it is up to us to take it.
After Jesus was crucified, He appeared to some men fishing, Peter among
them. At the fire, after he had recognized Jesus, Jesus asked him three times,
“do you love me?” The same number of times, Peter who did, and does, denied
Him. Jesus didn’t deny him, although Peter had denied Jesus. He forgave him,
showing mercy and grace. Giving Him an assignment, to take the gospel to the
lost. Now that’s cool. Because Jesus is cool. And both He and Peter had a
special time together. So special it is recorded in the Bible for others to
see. And learn from.
You may be stumbling along today, out of gas, or maybe with it turned off.
Things you cannot do alone will face you. It takes Jesus to get through the
day, and He is always available. His mercies go with you down the wrong road,
just waiting to be asked the direction back. He is the way! Not sown on any
map. He is also very cool, not revealing your sin to anyone else, and once it
is confessed, He forgets it. But somehow allows us to remember, so we don’t
leave the gas off again. But when we do, He is there again to help. If only
riding were so simple.
So Jesus is cool. So cool He defeated death. So cool He rose again. So
cool He offers it to you. He calls it love. And He is patient-right now!
Waiting for you to come to Him. And He never brags on Himself, but always
points to His Father in heaven. Way cool. Cool is a lot more than just
escaping the flames of hell, cool is a person. Peter found that out, way before
cool was popular. Now you do. The question is, how cool are you? Trust Jesus,
for without Him you’ll never know. But somehow those around you will know you
aren’t. He is waiting patiently for you. What will you do when the light turns
green?
Cool? or ....
You did remember to cancel your turn signals after the turn, didn’t
you?
be cool, love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com