It is always good to get away, and this Easter break Theresa and I went to
Paso Robles, and stayed at the Melody Ranch Motel. We have been staying there
for years, and know Frank, the owner quite well. A 1950’s motel that is for
real today, with prices reflecting a slower time in the economy. A short trip,
I could only put 1500 miles on the press bike, so we chose great roads over long
distance. We were the first to arrive, and later after resting went to dinner,
noticing two other arrivals via motorcycle. Across the lot was a Street Glide,
and one look told you this was not his first ride. Something about the way it
sat and was loaded told me it was not his first ride. But right next to me was
a new 2014 BMW GS1200, the off road adventure version. Brand new,it was still
shiny red, and loaded with accessories from a trip through the Tourtech
catalog. In fact it had more chrome than the Harley, crash bars, GPS mounts,
bags, and loaded up-in comparison to the Tiger Explorer XC I was riding. Just
looking at it, it had to have cost well over $20,000, the buy in price for BMW’s
these days, the Harley not much less. But as I surveyed the differences, it
dawned on me how much alike the riders must be, despite our different choice of
rides. One-we were all from somewhere else, and on the road to somewhere,
retired or on a trip, as this was Monday night. We had chosen the road as our
destination, although we were spending down time at the same motel. We had
money and experience tied up in our rides also, as these were not beginner
bikes. We were each loyal to our brands, although a common denominator of
motorcycles was our most common thread. I never did see the owners, but meeting
their bikes told me something about them, and I wondered what did they think of
me or my ride, or did they even notice at all? And they both were gone early
the next morning-before 8 am, the road calling, for me a day’s ride, locally
when I got up. But these three bikes from out of town made me think all day of
friends I meet along the road, how a Harley rider has told me of great sport
bike roads, how BMW riders will visit with me at rest stops, comparing road
notes, and places to eat, and even Gold Wing riders will pull over from their 55
mph cruise to let us pass, then talk with us when we meet. We all ride, but
ride at different speeds, rates, roads, and brands. We all ride our own ride,
as we should, and we should enjoy the ride, instead of trying to keep up, or
wait for another rider. You only go as fast as the slowest rider, so I ride
alone, you make your own choice. But that afternoon it was representative of
our brotherhood, we all ride, with the road the destination, not just the way
there.
If you don’t ride you won’t know what it is like to be part of the
brotherhood of bikers that do. We wave, we stop for others, and even though our
brand loyalties may separate us, when we get together things get done. We raise
money, help others, visit kids in hospitals, and support vets. Invite one, and
you have invited all, so have plenty of chili and coffee handy. And we don’t
knock, we feel that welcome....just like at church, right? For years I have
told people that the church needs to be more like the biker world, we have
Jesus, the ultimate, why not get along better? Yet I see Baptists try to
impress me with their legalism, Lutherans with their ceremonies, and even had a
Pentacostal tell me I was unteachable, because I wouldn’t believe what he said,
although it wasn’t in the Bible. The evangelicals tell me I am not evangelistic
enough, and the fundamentalists accuse me of not spending enough time in the
word. I never realized it was so tough being a Christian, no wonder I ride so
much. So over the years I have come to appreciate where each one is with God.
Some need the legalism, freedom in the spirit scares them, you mean I can really
trust God? Some need the ceremonies, I love it when each service is different.
Just because a preacher has an hour to speak, doesn’t mean he has to use it.
Why do some waste an hour, and lose an audience, when Billy Graham can speak 5
minutes and many are saved? Some preach from messages, I find a new message
just by going through the Bible verse by verse. I believe in healing and
miracles, yet some deny them, am I a liar because I am a miracle? Can we all
just get along, remembering our common thread is Jesus, and seek Him and not a
form of religion? Can we be like my friend Fr. Al, no win heaven, who used to
serve communion to all believers, against his church’s advice. He saw Jesus,
who knows what they saw. Why don’t we, why can’t we get along in the
spirit?
Years ago, Juan Carlos Ortiz, wrote a book about this, “Call to
Discipleship.” Living in a South American country, he saw many doing things in
God’s name, but not getting along with each other. They talked of unity, like
Democrats talk of free speech, OK as long as you agree with them. So when God
put on his heart to be united in the spirit, he knocked on church doors with his
vision, and was rejected. He was seen as a threat, until some said yes, and a
revival started, freedom in the spirit had overcome long standing religious
lines, and the church grew. It only took one man and his vision from God, but
it was God who brought about the change. Just think a minute, when the world
sees one biker, they see us all. What does the world see when it sees one
Christian? Or two or three who don’t get along? Do they see Jesus, who said He
was among them, or are they denying Him, themselves and their religion more
important than a relationship with Him? What unity are you seeking-your answers
will tell us. We are the church, and God is adding to us daily, so be in the
spirit. Some will teach, some will disciple, some will visit, and will
evangelize. But we will be called in the spirit, and what Jesus calls us to do
will be done-His will be done.
When you look across the parking lot, who do you see? Do you see other
brothers in Christ, or do you see their denomination? Do you see the
differences, or do you see Jesus? Are you bound by the legalism of
denominations, or are you free indeed in Jesus? Do you dare ask to pray with
someone not of your faith? A stranger? Do you have Jesus in common? Learn the
lesson from the biker world, we all ride, yet ride different bikes. Some exude
brand loyalty first, and miss out from other brands. Some cruise, some carve
corners, some set the cruise at 55 and hang on for dear life. Some live their
ride through catalogs and magazines. We are all on a road to somewhere, not
always knowing where the road leads. Some will rush to their destination, then
hurry up and wait for the next ride. Some keep going, too early to stop. Some
will go back and ride the road again, enjoying the curves, and establishing new
braking points. But we all ride! And we have a message of being an individual
through unity. Church we all have given our lives to Christ, or we wouldn’t be
Christians. Why can’t we be alive and unify in the spirit? Let us be known by
our unity to God, and not our differences. Someday we will all reside in
heaven, those that believe, and you may just end up next to a biker. Or a
Catholic, or a Pentacostal, or a Baptist. Or me. But we will all be with
Jesus, and none of that will matter. Jesus taught us to pray, “ on earth as it
is in heaven...” A reminder of three bikes from out of town, we all ride. If a
Harley rider can wave to a Gold wing rider, you see miracles still occur. Be
one today, you will be amazed at the doors it opens up, and you will find Jesus
is behind one. That knocking you hear may not be your engine, but your heart.
Let Jesus be your call to discipleship today...what gets your motor running? If
you don’t know Jesus you will never know heaven.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com