I just renewed my drivers license, this time by mail, proving that for at
least the last 5 years I have been ticket free. Will wonders never cease.
Which got me to thinking, I have been licensed in 5 states over a 43 year
period-wow! I have taken written and driving tests and passed. I must know how
to drive, or so it would appear. And then I enter the real world, and get cut
off by soccer moms in SUV’s under the influence of cell phones, upset because
she can’t hear over the precious cargo of kids she is hauling, who almost made
her avoid her exit, but still she was able to cut across 4 lanes of traffic to
get off. Barely missing me as I get that dirty look like I don’t belong. And
she passed the same tests I did, but only one of us knows how to drive, and is
courteous. And I wish it was her instead of me! But maybe she and others like
her are only partially to blame, because somebody passed her, gave her the stamp
of approval and granted her a license to drive. Sadly she never sees the
potential trail of destruction ahead of her or behind her, self absorbed it is
our responsibility to look out for her. But right here on my license, as I have
for over 42 years is an M! motorcycle endorsement-I can ride legally. On
anything from a moped to a fire breathing Harley, I am street legal, and have
the skills to prove it. Including the skills to dodge and elude her and her
4000 pound lethal weapon that always seems to be pointed at us. Just because we
both have the paper that says we can.
An old proverb tells us “you never criticize two things about a man, his
love making and his driving, and not necessarily in that order.” Make fun of a
guy’s date, no big deal. But make fun of his driving look out. He’ll be madder
than an SUV driver on a cell phone who missed her exit. You’re gonna pay, and
the fines aren’t light. Yet skills and licensing don’t go hand in hand, one not
necessarily dependent on the other. And just because you can navigate in a
parking lot under a DMV inspector for 10 minutes, doesn’t mean you have any
skill. You have rights, how about some responsibilities? How about those
skills? How about courtesy? How about the others on the road? How
about....?
About 10 years ago I went to a funeral of a motor officer who
had been killed in the line of duty, you guessed it, hit by a car. It was a
large ceremony, this man was popular, and well liked. From the talk about him,
he was the kind of guy who would give you the benefit of the doubt when he
pulled you over, it was about safety, not revenue enhancement. And after
friends told their stories, the pastor stepped up, and astonished a few of us.
From the description of this man, I would have guessed heaven, but after the
pastor spoke I left wondering. It was something he said that made me wonder,
and ought to make you wonder too. He said “Terry is in heaven today, I know
because he finished his membership classes after joining our church. He had
just received his certificate of membership...” and my heart sank. Was this
man’s eternal destination based on a certificate? Do you get to heaven just by
joining a church and attending a few classes? Just like getting your driver’s
license? Is driver’s ed. harder than heaven? And here was a pastor, a called
man of God telling others a lie about salvation. Where was Jesus? Where was
repentance? Where was the forgiveness of sin? Where was the truth, that only
Jesus sets you free? And I left wondering about Terry, had he been duped into
thinking he was going to heaven because he had passed a test? And had a
license/certificate? Did it have to be renewed like a license, did he have to
show it to prove he was a Christian? Or was he speeding through life without
regard for others and their destiny, like a mother under the influence of cell
phone? Talking, but never getting it. Hearing, but not listening. Endless
babble, with no concern for anyone but themselves? Was his name written in the
book of life? Did he know Jesus? Do you?
My M1 status on my license is valuable to me. It allows me
legally to ride anywhere on anything I want. It makes me legal, I have met the
qualifications to ride legally. It says nothing about my skills, ability, or
relationship with my rides. Just met the requirements and passed the test. But
I ride confident every day because my name is written in the book of life-I’m
saved. I do not have a membership card for any church, I know Jesus. I didn’t
attend classes, I asked forgiveness, and was forgiven. I repented, and became
born again, a new man in Christ. And hopefully my life reflects that, for if
ever challenged, I have only the witness of knowing Him, no papers to show it.
I have no denominational backing, or religious training. I attended no schools,
I wasn’t offered a discounted salvation. I realized Jesus paid the full price,
believed by faith, and trust Him everyday to get me through, and am confident
when I die, I am going to heaven. Why couldn’t the pastor have shared the same
message that day? Why couldn’t Terry have heard it? I only hope he did, and
that his relationship with God went far beyond religion, and was more personal.
On my license it says I am an organ donor. Not because I ride,
as some sick, prejudiced, anti motorcyclists joke, but because I care about
others and their lives. Give them a chance to live using what I have no need of
anymore. For when Jesus tells us to love the Lord your God with all your might,
heart, and strength, I do, but struggle sometimes with the love your neighbor in
the minivan as yourself part. But I still pray for those who cut me off, even
though they drive like hell, I don’t wish them to go there. But only in Jesus
will they be assured heaven, no other endorsement will get you there but the one
of Jesus. Do you have that endorsement? if you are wondering, you might not.
Be assured of heaven today, giving it all over to Jesus, and let Him change your
life. And maybe your driving style. Sadly too many will neglect Jesus, and
drive through life an accident waiting to happen, but it doesn’t have to be that
way. Like we tell people, learn to ride, and ride your on ride. Make it
personal, and live that way too. Personal with Jesus. No religious lines, no
party lines, just a line in the book of life with your name. I have been a
motorcyclist for 47 years, a Christian for only 39, yet prefer to be known as a
Christian motorcyclist. Jesus first is who makes me who I am, and what I am.
Whose endorsement do you have? Passed or passed over? Let’s ride.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com