Theresa and I recently passed a milestone in our lives, really our garage.
Maybe not a big deal, but still a deal to us. Her 2002 Bonneville has now
become the longest owned motorcycle we have ever owned. It has now surpassed
the FJ100 by one year, and 1000 miles. A feat that seems to go unnoticed in our
garage with the stream of press bikes that go in and out, but a milestone that
is worth noting. With over 75,000 miles, it represents over 1800 hours of seat
time, a long time spent with any person, but a lot with one motorcycle. And as
75,000 is a lot of miles, it is the roads, the rides, and the company ridden
with that make the miles even more amazing. And in a time when so many bikes
are bought, not ridden, and then sold without memory, bought for love, and then
sold for money, there are hours of memories here to look back on, while planning
our next ride. But it has taken commitment, much like a marriage does, starting
with shopping for the right one, and then saying I do, when you sign on the
line. You take an oath to love and obey-not necessarily the speed limits, to
honor and hold-the curves, and to maintain her as needed. Without a commitment,
soon she gets old, and the new look so much better-thanks to the ads. But after
1800 hours, the view over the handlebars still looks good, and the promise of
the next ride still calls with excitement. Fortunately so does my marriage,
sadly many don’t have the bragging rights we do. They have forsaken the
commitment, fallen for a pretty face, rather than the time spent with the one
you made the commitment to. I am reminded of a pastor once who said, “next time
you look at that pretty young thing, imagine her cooking for you, cleaning for
you, picking up after you, and tending you when sick. Hang on to what you have,
it never looked so good.”
While it is so easy to look back on old rides, sometimes we have problems
looking forward to what lays ahead. Yesterday’s miracles are nice, but often we
don’t look forward to the new ones with the same attitude. 11 years with any
motorcycle is a lot, but when measured in memories rather than years or miles we
can look at the time spent differently. And we anticipate more miles, more
memories, and more time riding-no matter how long it takes. And we look forward
to all the miracles to come...if only we looked at our marriages the same way.
I am glad I do, which to many is a miracle, and I can’t say there were times it
wasn’t. But it has taken the commitment of both of us, just like it has taken
the commitment with her Bonneville. Maintenance, which often seemed expensive,
but is still cheaper than repairs. New tires, chains and sprockets, and oil
changes have kept it running great. She still shines and we take great
satisfaction when someone cannot believe her age-the bike’s, not Theresa’s.
Although she looks younger to me every day-love will do that. But even the time
and money spent has been an investment, rather than a cost, and we have the
rewards to show for it. If only we took the care in our marriages that we take
on our bikes-to some I see it is a miracle either one is still around and
running.
So to those who feel marriage is not important, I find Jesus showing it is
the most important relationship after our relationship with Him. Goes all the
way back to Adam, and Eve. So it only makes sense that Jesus’ first miracle was
at a wedding, and His last one will complete the marriage. He turned the water
into wine as His first miracle, wine signifying joy, and how it is available as
soon as we make the commitment to Him. The best was saved for last, it got
better rather than worse as the feast went on. But marriage takes that
commitment, and just like a Jewish bride, we don’t know the time of His return,
the time our groom comes for His bride-us, the church. So we must honor the
commitment we made with Him, keeping it well maintained, fresh, and alive. We
must do things that we must even when we don’t want to, and look forward to the
coming service-the final miracle for those who believe here on earth-the one
that takes us to heaven, to be with Jesus forever. And what seems like a big
deal now will all make sense, and will pale in comparison to what awaits us. A
life in Christ-and filled with miracles. Some as small as pushing the starter
button and the bike starts-some as big as keeping you safe in the stormy
weather. Some so mundane as our daily grind, that without His daily bread would
even seem more miraculous. But it is the time and energy, the commitment we
bring to the relationship that adds life to it. The closer to Jesus, the more
miracles we see. It is written, these things shall follow them that believe.
Maybe what is following you tells more about who or what you believe than you
care to share. It is like the worn out Bible-it shows of a life that isn’t.
And just one look at the Bonneville shows more miles than the patina shows.
An old ad once claimed “pay me now, or pay me later.” Maybe with an old
engine, but not in life. There is no later, just too late. So honor your
commitment to your ride today, and it will honor you. 1800 hours in 11
years-not bad. Honor the commitment to your spouse even more, and watch as she
honors you. Treat her like lady, she will be one. Give yourself to her, just
like Jesus gave Himself for His church. But put and keep Jesus first. Many
bikes are shiny, and don’t show the miles, mainly because they haven’t been
anywhere-and aren’t going anywhere. Keeping Jesus first will take you places
you never dreamed of, a miracle in itself. He will add life to the miles, and
miles to your life. 1800 miles of memories, just don’t forget the 6 hours it
took Jesus on the cross. Another miracle-just for you. Maybe go out and take a
6 hour ride-doing it in remembrance of Him. A communion of riding, just you and
Jesus. Looking back on what He has done, and eagerly anticipating heaven. Only
In Him will you be able to remember the past, but the future too. Another
milestone just waiting to happen. So much Jesus-it’s gonna take a lot of time.
1800 hours just the beginning. The next milestone eagerly awaits. Who you ride
with makes all the difference.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com