I first met my old friend Leigh when working at Motorsport, selling BMW
motorcycles. Leigh had an R90/6, blue like the one I had for four days before
having it totaled by a hit and run driver, but he had the bigger tank-definitely
hardcore, and a Windjammer, silver, just one year before you could get factory
colors on them. Serious touring rider for the 70’s. He was helicopter mechanic
for the 1551st in Albuquerque, and we hit it off. He loved long rides, I had
just ridden from Jersey to New Mexico via Florida, so I did too. And owning an
R90S put me in elite company among BMW snobs, of which Leigh wasn’t. But what
really brought us together was a mutual friend, Jesus Christ. And so on is
frequent stops into the shop, we talked Jesus, motorcycles, and Jesus. Now
working a 6 day week, with Sundays off, along with Wednesday afternoon to go
trials riding with Gerald left me little time of my own, so seeing Leigh would
also be him stopping by the house where I rented a room from John. Who also
rode, and had led me to the Lord. Do we see a pattern?
Now Leigh was a bigger man, and we adhered to the rule that you don’t ride
other’s bikes, unless in an emergency. And Leigh wanted to ride my S, he really
wanted to ride it, but somehow the rule kept him off it, for both our
protections. But one Sunday when it broke down on the west side of Albuquerque,
some 30 miles from where we lived in the heights, we called Gerald, who rescued
us in his El Camino, and Leigh had his chance to ride my S. In the back of the
El Camino. Tying it down, we cruised Central all the way home, with Leigh
perched on it, feet on the pegs, looking ahead, wind in his face, no helmet, as
was the law. Not sure if you needed one in the back of a truck. And for the
next hour rode my R90S, grinning, his only ride on it ever. Somehow riding
behind a Windjammer would never be the same for him.
But on another Sunday afternoon Leigh’s life would change. He stopped by
like he always did, John and I were spending the day at home. Now John had this
Great Dane called Tauna, aka Useless Animal, who loved to jump the wall, and go
visiting. And during the Balloon Festival one year was found 10 miles away.
But on that day when Leigh came by, he found the house empty. Front door open,
TV on, and food on our plates. But no Mike and John. It was as if the room was
filled with invisible people, we weren’t there. And Leigh panicked-he thought
the rapture had occurred and he was left behind. And fell to his knees calling
out to God-which is where we found him. Tauna had gotten out, and we
immediately went after her, leaving TV on and food not eaten, and front door
wide open. We had left in a hurry-and left the appearance we had been
raptured! A lesson for all on how fast it will happen, and how confused those
left behind will be. But Leigh being saved knew he would go, but still was
scared at the possibility of no God, and being left behind.
God will not tell us the time and the date. To those so concerned, deny
Christ and you will see. For God will answer that prayer for you, just in a way
you don’t want. I rather be looking for the return of Jesus, and His guarantee
of heaven, especially after seeing the terror in Leigh’s face. But God does
tell us the seasons, and signs. So let’s look around. Rumors of wars and
wars-look at the news lately in the Middle East. Persecution of believers-every
place Muslims take power, Christians are killed, but the church grows. Again in
the Middle East. We see millions being called home to Israel. We are told of
children and parents rebelling-of pestilence, notice all the disease and new flu
outbreaks? How about strange weather-the meteorologists cannot keep up with
it-is God trying to tell us something like He showed Leigh that day? Do we see
a pattern?
Yet God is patient, and wishes we all come to salvation. But the day grows
closer, and as the signs point to it, you need to decide now, before it is too
late. Now while you still can, and not go through the horror Leigh did-if only
for those few moments he saw how real it will be. Fallen away, come back today
and be ready. Not sure, turn to Jesus, today can be your day of salvation. But
sadly for many it will only be like Leigh riding my R90S in the back of a
truck-not the real thing. They will cling to anything but Jesus, thinking all
is OK, until their ride is over. Still riding, just not under their own power.
And it will not be pretty. And it will and is only getting worse until that day
when Jesus calls us home-are you ready? Will your room be filled with invisible
people, or a room full of those wondering what happened, or worse yet knowing,
but deciding not to go with Jesus? For Leigh it was just a moment, for us we
will be taken up in a moment-in that twinkling of an eye, and it won’t matter
who is the anti-Christ, who is in the White House, or what you ride. Rich or
poor without Jesus it means hell, and being left behind.
Leigh and I agreed on BMW’s, but more importantly on Jesus. A lot has been
said about brand loyalty, who are you loyal to? If it isn’t Jesus, don’t find
out the hard way. Choose Him today, and be assured of the outcome. Be part of
an empty room, don’t be the one who finds the room full of invisible people. In
the twinkling of an eye...you too will be changed forever. The evidence is
there-where will you be when it happens? Out chasing the dog, or? Do we see a
pattern? Let’s pray.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com