Monday, February 3, 2014

the perception of power










As those of us who ride can attest to, the newfound power in motorcycles is far better than anything we were driving before, which was usually our mother’s grocery getter, or a slightly used and worn out used car, not of desire, but based on the wallet contents or lack thereof.  But with two wheels, we entered into a new world of power, but we needed more.  And to make our rides more individual.  So we bought lower bars, although hi-rise or apes were for the cruiser set.  but no matter what we rode, or how, we needed more sound.  And so we got rid of the factory exhaust, and soon names like Bassani, Alphabet, Jardine, Action Fours, and Yoshimura were the benefactors of our hard earned allowance.  Some would just take off the pipes, or add TT pipes, but in an era where less sound = more ground, where cops hid just waiting to bust us for too much noise, or where the price of cool was within our grasp, we finally had the sound, and loved it.  And sometimes with the power we thought came with it.  Loud meant faster, still does to many today, but one day my friend Brett, a service manager for Yamaha, explained it all to me.  Kerker was doing a mobile dyno testing, showing why their headers were best, and you could run what you brung on it.  And many were surprised with the new found power, only 2 horsepower, the add promised 10%?  Add gas mileage went down, blamed on the throttle hand, and the only think for sure was the wallet felt thinner when riding.
But some were way off, as their bikes had actually lost power, the new tuning made the power come on abruptly, it only felt like more power.  And of course it was the dyno’s fault, it must be true, I read it in Cycle World.  And having seen the truth on dyno’s myself, I can attest to its truth.  Seat of the pants, or twist of the wrist is no match for the dyno-liars and braggers go home.  And such is life.  The perception of power stronger than the presence of more power, even stickers on your ride couldn’t add the promised power.  But it felt better, and we never ratted ourselves out.
But getting that power to the ground is even more important, although burnouts look cool, you are really losing traction, not gaining speed.  But boy are burnouts fun, unless you become one.  Which is why many live an illusion, rather than facing the truth.  A perception that has become reality to many, but when confronted with the truth, warrants a decision.  Long ago I visited a sister in law in the hospital.  She was very sick,a dn as I was the Christian, a frined in time of need, a joke any other time, I went to visit her.  She explained how she was afraid to die, and after listening to my sharing the gospel, I was ready to pray with her.  But God said no, and I ‘m thinking, what is God thinking?  Isn’t this what we are supposed to do, pray for and with the unsaved, and here was a great example and opportunity?  But again, it is why we have two ears to hear, and only one mouth to speak, and God explained it all to me.  Hers was only an emotional repsonse, a quick fix to her problem, not a spiritual date with Jesus.  She would have thought she was saved, and wouldn’t be.  There was no change of heart, no conviction or conversion in her words.  They meant little, and soon she would come to realize that if I did.  She would have the perception of power, until one day on the dyno of life she would find she had no power at all.  So I didn’t, obeying God, but still not sure if I had made the right decision.  Later when she was truly saved, I knew God was right, and I was glad I had listened.  The truth had set her free, not the perception of it.  For salvation is only found in and through Jesus Christ, not forcing our will upon others, or coaxing them into heaven.  For there is true power out there, and only being in tune with the Holy spirit unlocks it.  And sets you free.
Just ask some brothers, 7 of them, whose family was Skeva.  They had heard all about the miraculous healings of Jesus, of casting out of demons, and decided to try it themselves.  Maybe make a few dollars at it, start a radio or TV show.  And so they sought out a man who they knew was demon possessed, and confronted them.  “In the name of Jesus, come out,” and the demons did.  But not with what they expected, for the demon attacked them, and sent them away naked, running, and crying.  But not before confronting them with these words, “we know of Jesus, and we have heard of the apostle Paul.  But who are you?”  Who are you?  Well, we heard we could, thought we could, but found we can’t.  An example today to many, but a lesson still falling on deaf ears.  The promise of power still intrigues men and women today, but without God, you are on your own.  Believing false claims, left only with a sticker telling the world about your new found power, but when the first challenge comes, you are found powerless. 
When asked if “are you in the word?” I challenge back with “is the word is you?”  Jesus being the word, are you just a reader, a studier, as too many are, or have you truly surrendered to Jesus Christ?  Is He Lord, or just a genie in the lamp when you desire something?  So I ask You, “is the word in you?”  Is Jesus in your life, has He given you new life?  Or has your exhaust just gotten louder when compared to those who aren’t saved?  Is church all you got out of religion, or have you settled for nothing less than a personal relationship?  Do you really trust in that name, or is it something said in vain, just not with damn attached to it?  Or have you discovered the real Jesus, and His meekness, His power under control that guides you everyday, and doesn’t demand His own way, but shows you how He is the way?  And leads you to truth?
Many advertise good things, some even Godly things.  Ask for proof.  The Skeva boys got proof without asking, and changed their lives.  We are called to Jesus, not to run from Him.  He relieves fear, He doesn’t cause it.  And yes we are promised power, of a spiritual nature, that reveals all truth, and shows us how easily we can be deceived.  Are you saved, I mean really saved?  Or have you joined a church, a fellowship, read your Bible, hang with other Christians, or have family who are saved, thinking that will get you in?   The salvation dyno will reveal the truth, better to seek it now than find out how wrong you were later.  Loud pipes may save lives, only Jesus Christ saves lives.  If only the Skevas had listened, are you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blog.com