Traveling in the south, and parts of the southeast, once you are
off the freeways, referred to as the Interstate, you find yourself on these
magnificent back roads. Roads that take you past farms, people’s homes and
roadside businesses. Traveling at a blistering 55mph, the speed limit, life
goes by at a slower pace than we are used to in So Cal. People leave themselves
more time to get places, and on weekends the roads can be filled with country
folk going into the city, and city folk heading for the country. But in the
last 15 years, a new highway system has encroached many previously secluded
areas, it being the 4 lane highway, or as the locals will call it the 4 laner.
It doesn’t necessarily have to replace the old road, in many instances it runs
parallel to it, where the old roadside businesses still exist, until some major
chain opens up a Denny’s, Mickey D’s, or Subway, circumventing traffic to them
and away from the old businesses. And soon the old ones cannot stay open, and
soon we get to travel coast to coast, or county to county like we do on
freeways, never leaving home, some franchised system guaranteeing our visit will
not provide any excitement, or local flavor. Only the license plates on the
cars change, and the price of a Happy Meal. Isn’t this what we wanted?
But traveling in West Virginia, where it seems 1000 feet of
straight without curves is the limit, we have ridden across both ways, never
touching a 4 laner, until our last trip. The Robert C. Byrd Expressway system
had been completed, and miles of interstate type highway welcomes you, taking
you through mountains and over canyons you previously had to go over or
through. Many roads going to places before only the locals would go, because
they led to nowhere, except to where they called home. But now hour long rides
can be turned into a few minutes that to RC Byrd, who by the way was the longest
man to sit in the US Senate, and understood pork better than anyone, and now it
seems roads. But while riding on them, you notice a peculiar absence of
traffic, you can go miles without passing anyone, or anyone appearing in your
rear view mirror. And if lost, locals will be happy to give you directions,
using the old roads, which to us is OK, that is where the best roads are. Or
like a man in Hew Hampshire asked, “do you want the quick road or the fun one?”
But I imagine that too will change, as new places to eat and gas up will appear
by the 4 laners, and even the locals will frequent them. The land of the not so
free, and the home of the franchised, and we wonder what ever happened to
America? Better yet, what has happened to us?
On one very rainy morning we were faced with a decision on which
road to take, stay on the new 4 laner over the New River Gorge, or the old one
down into it. 45 seconds or 45 minutes? So we took the long way across, down
and under. And it took more than 45 minutes, in fact it took us back years.
Past waterfalls, over a single lane bridge, past streams, summer camps, and
people living in the country, all with the new bridge over it in sight, at any
time less than a half hour away, but really years ahead. And while many looked
down at the gorge, we looked up at the bridge, and its magnificent
construction. And we knew we had made the right choice, as if there was ever
any doubt. And once back in civilization, felt we had lost 30 years going in,
but regained it coming out. And something we would have hesitated to take in
the car, was natural on a bike. All roads go somewhere, but not all roads lead
to anywhere. And that is the roads we choose to ride.
Our walk with Christ is the same way. We tend to take our
relationship with Him seriously, and wish to enjoy life, not just get from one
place to another. The time spent in between is precious, and it is on the back
roads of life we get to know Him better. Radio off, cruising at a lower speed,
taking in the countryside, we see God’s handiwork in blooming flowers, thick
woods, and flowing streams. You hear things with the motor off, even the
tinkling of the muffler is the loudest thing, but can’t cancel out insect and
birds-or the rushing stream. It is in the quiet times we hear Him best, but He
also speaks on 4 laners and other roads too. I find you cannot go anywhere
without Jesus, so why would you try to? Yet some only consider Him when in
trouble, and they cannot get themselves out of it. Some only religiously,
sometimes reluctantly making an appearance for a whole hour on Sunday. For some
He is used to curse others, and not acknowledged as God at all. While others
try to do good things to please Him, while really trying to make themselves look
good. See how good I am, giving a brief aside to Jesus.
But it is in the times spent with Him, we not only get to know
Him better, we get to know ourselves too. Cruise set, AC on, and our favorite
tunes on the stereo, He is far away. But creeping along at 20 mph, He becomes
more real, more evident. And we get to see Him as He is, and as we are, and
realize we need Jesus more and more. That life is not a freeway, or an
expressway. It is the back roads with people where He lives. The apple pie
made with love, the extra scoop of ice cream, and getting sweet tea, you mean
there is any other? It is talking families, learning history, and feeling at
home, rather than a stranger at a Denny’s. The menu is local, the flavor is
local, and you are but a stranger once. The way to ride, the way to live, and a
good example of Jesus. We are but strangers once, then family, and soon He
calls us friends. A first name basis, just like saying Bill sent me, or I was
told to ask for Shorty. Friends based on who sent you, and who you send.
And so God sent His son Jesus, so we could get back to Him.
Says so right in John 3:16. He loves us, and wants to spend time with us.
Maybe just an extra half hour, but one you will remember all week, or years from
now. Take the time to spend with Jesus. Take an old road home. The shortest
distance between two points may be the longer ride. We bikers know this, and
would rather spend an hour riding home than 30 minutes stuck in traffic. A time
to get away, and get with God. A time to look up under the bridge, and get a
whole new look at life.
Spend some time with God today, don’t be in a hurry. Bob Evans
Family Farm is just off the new 4 laner, but accessible by the old roads.
History they call it, why not write some for yourself today to share with
others. There is this road I know, and with Jesus along it gets even better.
You may be what is happening to America right now, and wondering what has
happened to us. Long after you arrive home, it is the back roads you will
remember, not the interstate exit number. There is still time to look ahead,
why not do it with Jesus, the best road you will ever travel. As speeds you
thought impossible. I never knew you could have so much fun in third gear.
Jesus like America is out there, you don’t have to look very far. All in a
morning’s ride.
By the way, the Bob Evans Farm is in Ohio. Just off the 4
laner. All in a day’s ride.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com