“Look out for cages,” the homeless man told me as I pulled away from the
light. He had been admiring my Bonneville, and was telling me how in better
times he used to ride. And knowing what a cage was, biker lingo for cars, he
must have been part of the community of bikers at one time. But sadly, as he
was talking of cages or cars, I thought about how he was in a cage of his own,
trapped into a life that led him to begging on street corners, and losing his
ride. He was in more of a cage than many car owners, but that day I appreciated
his warning...and like he said, “they’re out to get you.” So I do and they are,
and he still is, but at least I am riding. Thankfully, for there but for the
grace of God go I.
As my friend tells me his version of the Golden Rule, He who has the most
gold rules, I realize that so many people wish to control me. Whether it is by
money, rules, or laws to regulate me into complete submission, everyone is
trying to rule over some one, just not themselves. And it reminded me of many
trips, spontaneous rides I have taken, just getting on my motorcycle and heading
somewhere, with no destination in mind. No one telling me where to go or when
to be home. The kind where time didn’t matter, as long as I had enough money
for gas, a jacket for the cold, and a road ahead. Just like a travel agent once
remarked, after spending his whole life planning for others, but neglecting
himself, “travel got boring, so I decided to travel.” He finally got it, and no
better way than on a bike with maybe a friend who gets it, but if none
available, alone is just fine. You see for some they find solace in $200/hour
therapist, for those of us who ride there is motorcycles. Give me the $200 and
I can have quite a time, even a weekend, I can air out, clear my mind, and go
places and be things no therapist could advise. And one Saturday ride 40 years
ago sticks out, for no particular reason, other than it defines cycle therapy..
Call it “cycle-logical,” if you have ever taken one you know what I mean.
BH and I were out looking for fun, and RT. 100 in Pennsylvania called out
to us. We had seen the exit for it by the Schaeffer Beer brewery man times, but
thought more of the beer than the road in those days. But today was different,
and the road twisted, turned, and rode through mile after mile of corn fields,
rising and falling like only a Pennsylvania farm road can. Every once in a
while an old inn or café/general store, and a cold Sasparilla in Pennsylvania
Dutch country is what is needed to quench the thirst, after a huge pretzel of
course. But true to form, we met other riders, doing what we were doing, and
soon we were farther away from home than we anticipated, but that was OK, now it
was all about the ride. And soon we started approaching Philadelphia as it got
dark, and soon the fields had turned to urban blight, as we had hit the
ghetto-no place for two white boys to be on a hot summer night. Where is the
dreaded freeway that we usually try to avoid when we need it? And why when you
are lost, is every light red, and every stranger a possible bad encounter? But
you are never lost as long as you are not out of gas. Our ride of airing out
how turned into a nightmare, especially after I hit a huge pothole, knocking the
headlight out of its shell. And having to fix it on a sidewalk, where a group
of kids wondered what was that weird biker doing to his bike? Shouldn’t that be
fixed at home, in the light? But riding on we did, and arrived home, safe,
fresh, and refreshed, less than 90 miles from home, and it only took us 300
miles to get there! Two tanks of gas, some hot dogs, pretzels, and
sasparilla-what could be a better day? Free of all who want to control us, and
free to ride again. And again. Free from any cages, and it all came back due to
the homeless guy and his warning about cages. How could such a down and out man
have so much wisdom? Or didn’t he even know it?
The word religion means bound, like tied up and bound, denying you
freedom. And since becoming a Christian, I have come to hate it when people
refer to me as religious. I am free, just as Jesus promises, being free in the
spirit. Anything but religious. Jesus was not religious, that’s why the
Pharisees hated Him. Which really annoys those who are religious, and try to
control us with their rules. It’s like a man once told us in a Bible study,
“tonight we are going to study freedom in the spirit, here are the rules.” I
wanted to scream, rules? We don’t need no stinkin’ rules! We need Jesus!
Rules or the law only pointed out our sin, and was all about our
performance-grace is all about Jesus and His performance on the cross.
“Lookout for cages,” He would have warned His friends, and for those who wish to
control you. Let’s make it personal-you and me, and enjoy the freedom to be
yourself. No wonder the Pharisees hated Him, they were so bound up in their
rules they had no peace at all. Over 600 laws, and any one they broke could
bring them shame and discipline. They needed Jesus! Not the kind of God I wish
to serve, and not the kind of God who wishes to serve me. Curves, He leans with
me. Straights, He accelerates with me. Brakes-He is there with me, and when my
headlight falls out, is there to light the way. Better than a cold sasparilla
on a hot day. With or without ice-your choice. So why would anyone want to be
religious when you can be free?
But with freedom comes responsibility, maybe that’s it. Some need to be
led, and enjoy not being responsible. Like Nitro tells me, “a horse can be led
to water, but a pencil must be lead.” But God tells us that He who has much,
much is required. Freedom requires responsibility. An uncommon sense of
common, and a love of God to guide you. Not control you, but once you know Him,
you find yourself thinking in His terms, rather than your own, and soon they
become your own. Freedom in the spirit-and to ride.
So for some there is religion, just like some need therapy. They need to
be told what, where, when , and how to act. Jesus, likes motorcycles, gives us
a freedom to be ourselves. The religious call it boldness, we call it freedom
and love. Have you ever been accused of being to bold in Christ? Maybe you
need to let your freedom in Jesus shine more. Make Him part of your life, be a
witness instead of going out witnessing. So for those of us who ride and have
Jesus, we don’t need therapy. We are free, and like the scripture says, “he who
is free is free indeed.” Free to ride the back roads and end up in a ghetto.
Free to follow a road, just wondering where it goes. And free to get to know
the God who created the universe one to one, personally. So He calls us
friends, when is the last time you just went for a ride with your friend? Jesus
set us free from the cage of sin-look out for cages, they’re out to get you.
Wise advice from a man who was homeless, and it works even better with a man who
spent His life on the road-Jesus. Your hour is up, that will be $200 please?
For some there is therapy, for the rest motorcycles. Just don’t call me
religious. And don’t forget to bring an extra helmet along, just in case.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com