“Where did I ever find the time to get things done while I was working,” I
used to hear many retired folks lament. Now in semi-retirement, still full time
ministry when God calls, I get an insight to what they meant. Suddenly I don’t
pour 12 hours of work a day into eight. Suddenly I am not rushing home to get
chores done so I can ride this weekend, and suddenly I am riding at a slower
pace-but still quicker than most. Slow is still not an option. But I find that
the riding now, being less restricted to weekends, is better during the week
alone. I stop and go where and when I want, less people on the roads, and I
ride at my pace, not an overburdened road’s slower pace. And even though I am
riding more locally, I am taking the time to go down roads I never have before,
some I have been bypassing for several years, only because they were on the way
to somewhere, now they are that somewhere. And I find that the farther away
somewheres still attract me, but until the time and money, more the money
presents itself, there are many roads here to have fun on. And I wonder how I
could have passed them up all these years...and why didn’t I find the time to
ride them long ago?
Riding motorcycles has always been a passion for me, thanks to God and His
fulfilling it in ways and places I never dreamt of. Riding dozens of new bikes
every year, meeting famous people, listening to their stories, bench racing with
them, riding in 48 states, and touring with Theresa. Wearing out Arai helmets
at 150,000...now into my fourth one. Riding a 36 year old Superbike, and loving
it, then riding a 2014 sport bike, and getting a different thrill. Riding some
back roads, waving at farmers. Splitting lanes in traffic, how do you guys do
it riding in cars all the time? Sitting little kids on my bike, and watching as
their eyes light up while making motor sounds. As their parents stand by
cautiously...afraid. Reading an article in a travel or motorcycle magazine, and
having been there...and still learning more for my next trip back. I enjoy
talking with older riders who have been places, conversations starting with
“remember when..” and going on for miles. Meeting new riders, and watching as
the enthusiasm grows with each ride, and starting to ride places I have for
years. Watching as people in Maine, Florida, Michigan, and other states when
looking at my plate, ask “you rode that here?” And finding yes is never enough
of an answer.
Many statements about riding are true. Life begins at 30, it gets
interesting at 100. Home is where your bike sits long enough to leave a few
drips of oil on the ground. And four wheels move the body, two wheels move the
soul. And to those of us who ride, we know. And if we have to explain, you
will never get it, until you do. But the best thing about riding is it is
almost as good as sex, and you can do it more often. Which can relate to more
than intimate moments with your spouse. Having the time, or making the time,
you can do more things you enjoy more often, and enjoy them more. Something
that scares people in life, and can be scary in retirement. And it works that
way with God also. How many look forward to Sunday morning, not for church to
start, but for it to get over? But fail to find the joy in learning about God,
and being with His people. But fail to realize God is a 7 day a week God, and
when asked to come to a Bible study, Wednesday night service, or a men’s
activity, grow restless and make excuses. “No time, the Padres are on, the yard
needs cutting, a list of honey dos....” you all know the drill. And like
riding, I find that you can have Jesus on other than just Sunday...you can have
Him more often. Wednesday nights are a great refresher, so is Thursday Bible
study. But spending time with others, sharing Jesus, and sharing testimonies
can be any time, any day, at any place. Even among those who ride. We do stop
for food and get gas, maybe not in that order. But we can all be like John, who
bore witness of Jesus Christ. He not only saw Jesus, He told others. He was
the witness, and his blessings grew because of it. So did others. God calls it
joy, and in Psalm 1 we find those who meditate on God have it. Thinking about
Jesus, making Him part of your ride, even to other places than church. You do
ride to church don’t you?
Jesus Christ, better than anything else, and you can do it more often.
Think about all the blessings you are missing, and ask yourself, why? And find
the answer is really who, who Jesus is in your life. Grow in Christ and the
rides are longer, better, and more interesting. You take the curves faster, run
your life through the gears, and suddenly see redline as a place to visit more
often, a place to shift and go further, and the excitement in life men are
missing. Jesus Christ adds life, long before Coca Cola did, and still does
today. Fool someone, ride to church, on a Wednesday night. “You rode that
here?” And let the bench racing begin. Oh the stories you can tell, Jesus and
your rides. Stop dreaming and start riding. Twist the throttle, you learned
enough patience sitting in neutral at the light. Leave the past behind, and
spend more time with Jesus. More often, even On Any Sunday, you can find Him.
And if you are like the note on a biker’s rear view mirror, says, “objects in
mirror are being left behind,” don’t be left behind. And when Jesus is a 7 day
a week riding partner, you too can say “I rather be out riding thinking about
Jesus, than in church thinking about riding.” Jesus taught in the church,
ministered on the road.
Jesus, just like learning to ride later in life, is better than not
learning at all. Go out and bear witness today..so many roads, so little time.
A good long ride will clear your head, revive your soul, and use a lot of gas.
And to those of us who know God, we know.
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot.com