As any experienced rider knows, we have the freedom to use all of the lane
we are riding in. We know to avoid the center and intersections because of the
oily buildup, and we can choose the best line in turns. We can pick the
smoothest part of the lane, and even use the extra room provided to avoid
accidents. More good reasons to ride, and to enjoy the freedom it provides.
But of course cars are different, and with most lanes filled with their width,
they don’t and can’t choose like we do. Just like happened one weekend in
Mexico...
We were going down for the San Felipe race with the Simon and
Simon Race Team. We were one of their sponsors, and they were past winners of
the Baja 1000. Ed Frisk, their crew chief and I got be friends, he later came
to the Lord, and he was leading a group of six vehicles down. They were all
marked with Ford’s Rough Rider’s colors, he was pulling a trailer with the
pre-runner on it with the van, and we were in the middle in our Ranger, with no
colors. Theresa and Andrew were along and we were planning on an exciting
weekend-which it was! But it was about to get more exciting. Leaving Mexicali
at night, then crossing the border, we were driving down Hiway 5 in Mexico, when
we came upon a Federale’s check point. They light tires on fire at night to
warn approaching vehicles, and Ed, got too close to one and ran over it.
Setting the Federal Agents into action-our whole caravan getting pulled over.
We were soon descended upon by armed troops, who when we rolled down the window,
stuck a gun into the truck. Right in the face of a sleeping Andrew, 11 years
old at the time. Try that for a wake up call sometime! But in Mexico off road
racing is the sport, and the racers all heroes, fortunately for Ed, who was able
to talk and buy his way out with t-shirts, posters, and an invitation to meet
Paul and Dave at the race, which some did. We were soon on our way, a bit
scared, and driving slower, and Ed had learned a valuable lesson about driving
at night in Mexico. And about using all the lane-no matter how narrow it
is!
Coming back Sunday afternoon we decided to follow the Terrible
Herbst Team back, and they drove fast-like they were still racing. The Simon
team had decided to spend an extra few days enjoying San Felipe, and the sea
food-home of the original fish taco. With narrow roads, and not graded very
well, after you drive in Mexico, any road in the States seems good, an
approaching semi caught the outside rear view mirror of the Herbst truck, and
tore it off-both vehicles not even slowing down, and we dodged the pieces as
they disintegrated. Two wide trucks on two narrow lanes had met, and the
inevitable happened. Couldn’t happen on a motorcycle could it? My lane
splitting story on a loaner Victory some other time...
Scripture warns us to stay on the straight and narrow. Not to
veer to the right or left. We see this when people get too far one way or the
other in politics, and lose their perspective of right or wrong. It becomes all
about me. But it happens to Christians too, and that is why Jesus warns us to
stay straight. If we go too far right, we become legalistic. Life becomes all
about rules and laws, and we lose the ability to use all the road we are on. We
get to close to the edge like Ed, and soon will come into contact with someone
or something, following our own understanding rather than riding or walking in
the spirit. As we drift from Jesus, we get our own ideas, and soon become
isolated, and can only see our side, not our friends, and certainly not God’s.
We become more program and process oriented, targets get closer, and soon we can
become a target ourselves, all because we don’t choose the best part of the road
and then take it. It also happens when we go to far left, and lean on our own
understanding, and change our values to meet our actions. We start to allow sin
to enter, and worse yet make excuses for it in our lives. And just like the a
lane too narrow, soon we impact something or someone and pay the price for going
out on our own. It is never our fault, as sin and pride blames someone or
something else, if only they had listened to us, it may not have happened. too
many laws and too many excuses, sound like your life? Try entering a curve too
fast, and with no way out see what happens. Too far right-the woods, too far
left oncoming traffic-unless you are in England, but the results are the
same-CRASH! So use all the road, just like we do. Straighten a curve by
entering it correctly, and taking the best line through it. Accelerate when
exiting, gathering speed and enjoying the ride. Look out for the dangers that
approach, and that can come from the side-too many accidents because we never
saw it coming. Stay in the word, and let the word-Jesus remain in you. Looking
back it is amazing how many near misses I have experienced, and am still around
to tell about it due to Jesus. Some even while riding.
Single vehicle accidents can rarely be blamed on anyone but
ourselves. Learn to look ahead, your eyes always scanning for an escape route.
Ask anyone who rides after driving a car and they will tell you riding makes
them a better driver too. But in all things, keep your eyes upon Jesus, as our
eyes tend to wander, and our bodies follow. Where your heart goes your eyes
will follow. Just a quick glance to the right can get you into the woods, a
quick left-don’t ask. Ride the curves like they are straight and narrow and
enjoy your ride even more. Use both sides of your tire, not just the center,
like they were designed for. And use all the road, using the center as a
guide. Life is going to throw many curves at you, make sure you exit as fast as
you enter and enjoy the ride. Just another benefit of riding a motorcycle, and
of riding with Jesus. I don’t even get it how you guys can do cars.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com