My attitude towards riding has changed over the years. When I first
started riding over 45 years ago, when you were interested in riding, you sought
out guys who did. And after buying one, earned membership in riding by being
asked along on Saturday mornings. Where you found if you rode, they figured you
knew how. No rookie class, you were expected to keep up. When asked “do you
have gas?” it meant are you full, for we weren’t stopping for over 100 miles,
and may be no stations in between. And so you came prepared, no one wanted to
be the rookie, and you learned how to ride faster, lean farther, and use skills
you didn’t know you had. We didn’t ride fast, you rode slow-a tag no one wanted
to wear. And you learned to follow the leader, which sometimes just meant
riding back and forth in front of a girl he wanted to impress, gunning your
engine, doing burnouts, and honking your horn until she appeared. Mostly though
it brought out her dad, part of a generation who didn’t like bikers, and even
sometimes the cops, they were too busy harassing us and checking our license and
registration-after a few times you would think they would get our names.
Showing that this was maybe why you could never find a cop when you really
needed one, donuts optional. But you had fun, increased your skills, and if you
wanted to ride, you knew the time and place to meet. And you would also learn
humility, as no matter how fast or what you rode, someone was always faster, and
had more talent than you. Mostly it was less fear in twisting the throttle.
But you got better, had fun, and so you weren’t the rookie, or the back marker
everyone was waiting for. We ride to ride you quickly learned, not to wait on
the side of the road for you. Lead, follow-or just get out of the way. And
three of us, sometimes, four, formed a great riding relationship. And as the
rookie at first listened to our bench racing, soon he would have his own stories
to tell. Stories of speed, curves, girls, cops, and the next week’s ride. We
never crashed, proving there was a God, go into a curve too fast-you’ll see
Him!
Sadly my first attitude change would occur years later when riding with a
motorcycle ministry. Being told I rode too fast, it was really they rode too
slow, making excuses for mediocre riding skills. Sadly this carried over into
their personal life, and soon I learned to ride alone if I wanted to have fun.
It seems the group was willing to dumb itself down in many areas-call it
compromise, and wasn’t looking to grow, just be looked at. And found staying
within their own group left out the chance to be embarrassed by their lack of
riding skills, and to minister. Choosing a lazy way out, I soon left them
behind, wondering, while I went wandering. And I ‘m the bad guy?
My approach to Jesus is the same. When first saved, I went to church. No
rookie lessons, I jumped right in, and found others who would encourage me,
rather than make excuses for my newness. I was a Christian, and they talked to
me like one. I thought all churches taught about Jesus, and was disappointed
when many didn’t, but taught on themes. And soon learned why some never grew,
and why some never wanted to. I found that just like I wanted to get the most
out of riding, I wanted the same out of Jesus. So soon I started hanging out
with more mature Christians, listened to good teachings, and found a church that
was based on Jesus, not just a Sunday morning religious meeting place. And I
grew, and still do today, saddened only when I meet others after years who have
fallen away, or never grew. Some sold their bikes, or parked them never to be
ridden again, and took the same attitude with Christ. They had fallen away, by
choice, and when other Christians would appear in their lives, weren’t
interested in Jesus any longer. They had achieved mediocrity, a slow death, and
wondered why no one called anymore. Could it be the excuses? Not theirs, it
was always some one else’s fault. The pastor didn’t recognize them-you need to
go to church first. They felt left when others talked of what God was doing in
their lives. Others had chosen to let Him in, they hadn’t. And soon all
religious people were the same to them, and their poor attitude soon poisoned
their families, and all who still hung with them.
Do you ride to slow, or are you accused of riding too fast? Are you using
all the skill God has given you, and all the power your bike has? Do you hold
it back, or is it holding you back? History proves you can take a fast rider
and make a slow bike go faster. Sadly it also shows you can take a slow rider
and make a fast bike go slower. How fast is your God? Do you want it all, but
he can’t give it, or are you happy with mediocrity? Strong churches are made up
of strong people, depending on God, and wanting to grow, to go deeper. To know
Jesus more, and to escape the religion some are mired in. Is it possible Jesus
is the guy on the motorcycle riding back and forth in your life trying to get
your attention? Rather than call a cop, call on God, accept His offer. Before
you are too old, or been dumbed down too much. Too much Jesus, never gonna
happen. But you have to twist the throttle of life to find out how much is
available. If you advertise yourself as a Christian we figure you are one.
Don’t let us down. You know the time and the place. “Do you need filling up?”
You won’t leave empty-you’ll never know until you exercise your potential.
Twist the wrist of your soul today...you don’t need to go too fast in a curve to
find God! Soon you’ll have your own stories to tell.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com