I had some business to do last night downtown, so decided to take the
Ranger. Usually I ride, but I hadn’t ridden in the truck in a month, so I
figured I’d drive. How do you guys drive those things? First the freeways were
busy, can’t lane split in a truck. I figured it cost me another 10-15 minutes
on a 35 mile ride. You do the math, I had been cruising at 70 straight up. What
should have been an easy 30 minute ride turned into 45. With the added stress
on others, I was in no hurry, but just looking in other cars, at others, between
cell phones, girls putting on make-up, and some rushing to get home by changing
lanes, cutting off others, I’ll think twice before taking the truck again. Then
since I was alone, no HOV, or commuter lane for me. As bikes and others zipped
by, I sat trapped. In a cage, hence the name we call cars....But first before
setting off I needed gas, twice as much to fill what even my largest tank, the
Tiger holds 6.3 gallons, costs, and the truck gets 18. With the AC off. So the
cost in money, and time was adding up. Then where to park, looking for a space,
I finally parked at Horton Plaza, which with validation has a 3 hour free
parking. If you take the time to validate, considering you can find the
machine, well hidden in public view, but not labeled. Paid parking after is a
revenue enhancer. There were any bikes parked on the street that night, some
space even right in front of where I was going. FREE space for motorcycles.
Plus I had to walk 3 blocks back and forth from my destination to get the
truck. More time wasted, minimal wear on my Nikes. But when all was said and
done, it had taken me twice as long, cost twice as much to achieve the same
thing. So tell me, how do you guys drive those things?
Now just imagine you had twice the time and twice the money to travel. You
can if you ride a motorcycle. Even at higher speeds, 80+, I get over 40 mpg, I
know so does your Prius. Ask your kid which is cooler. On a bike you have the
wind in your face, in a car, turn up the blower. Now I did listen to Poco while
driving, but nothing sounds better than a tuned exhaust, twist the throttle and
make your own music. It was cooler last night, so I might have had on a jacket,
not in the car. No bumper stickers on a motorcycle either, one more “My Honor
student” sticker I many go postal. Who cares...and after one look at who’s
driving, and how, I rather wish they had taken a driving lesson or two-to learn
to drive. Maybe the honor doesn’t translate to road manners. Or skills. Or
choice of cars. And now with the draught official, Governor Brown said so last
week, no one washes their cars. How do you guys see out of dirty windshields?
Maybe the writing on the rear window at least gives some clean spot a chance.
We are proud of our bikes, know all about them, have a special license to ride
one, and dress accordingly. I don’t remember taking my driving in any of 5
states where cell phone skills were a bonus. Or adding eye shadow at 65 was
bonus points. Or riding on my tail was drafting. So maybe you guys who drive
are really super heroes, those of us who ride just mere mortals. Who enjoy the
freedom of riding, the cost benefits, parking benefits, and being cool. No one
ever accused anyone of being cool in a Prius. James Dean in a Prius? Steve
McQueen? And these guys were also car guys....so how do you guys drive those
things? Have you no moral fibre, no cool bone in your body? Is it really more
fun filling up for $75, then wasting gas sitting in traffic? And they called
Brando “the Wild One?”
Would Jesus ride or drive? Depends, on how cool you think he was, and is.
Many Christian bike clubs exist, serving in many capacities. Where are all the
Christian Car Ministries? Now before you burn me in effegy, I know you are out
there. But where is the unity, the brotherhood found among bikers? When have
Ford and Chevy guys ever gotten along? At least Harley and others do, come on
BMW riders. And car owners. Where is the love except for your car? Your
commute? How many Toy Drives do you do? How many only communicate via sign
language, where we visit when we stop with each other. You see we have a
freedom when we ride, we don’t hide behind locked doors, and 4000 pounds of
steel and stereo. We have a spirit of freedom second only to Jesus, and when
the two are combined, cool things happen.
A phone directory comes out each year of Christian businesses. Personally,
I want the best repairman for my car, or dryer when it breaks. Why settle for
second best, just because of a Jesus sticker in his ad? On his bumper? Why are
some preaching to the choir, when we can be visiting and sharing with the lost
while they fix my stuff. We miss these incredible chances to witness hiding
behind a sticker, or locked in a cage on a freeway. I have spent many good
times waiting in shops, just visiting and meeting others waiting, does the great
commission of “as you go share the gospel,” mean we should only share with each
other? Didn’t someone share Christ with you before you were saved, or were you
different? So you pass on the same lack of concern to others. We live in the
world, get over it. You just aren’t supposed to be of it. Does sitting in
church make you a pew, although you may put one off? Does only doing business
with other Christians make you an evangelist? Where are the Lazaruses God
places in your path everyday, run over while locked behind a windshield? Or do
you stop and visit? How can we tell if you are a Christian, by your bumper
sticker? Jut not your driving. A simple ministry just might be letting another
car cut in front of you. Stopping to let a pedestrian cross the street. Pay
the toll for the car behind you....goodness and kindness, both fruit of the
spirit. Just like the joy and peace it brings. Would Jesus talk on a cell
phone while cutting you off?
In a perfect world we would all ride motorcycles. In a perfect world we
would all be saved. That world is coming soon, it is called heaven, payable at
death. We leave earth, and receive our final reward. We are finally with
Jesus. Both those who ride, and those who drive. Like MLK once preached, “free
at last, my God I am free at last.” But in the meantime, we are here to be
ambassadors, evangelists, teachers, counselors, and representatives of Jesus.
To not isolate ourselves from the world, but to be salt and light in it. Not
with our high beams on blinding traffic, but merging into it, using skills and
courtesy via the holy spirit. The same you want others to show you, the same
Jesus shows you. On earth, as it will be in heaven....
If stuck in a car, drive your bumper sticker today. Show Christ as you
drive. As you live. Don’t brag about what a great Christian you are, show us.
We want to see it. And we forgive you, just as Jesus forgives us. Just don’t
put us in a position so we have to.
A sign outside many small towns says “drive like hell through our town
you’ll get there.” Live like hell you’ll get there too. We ride to live, not to
die. Jesus died so we can live. Only Christian bikers will know the true
freedom in Christ. Now tell me, how do you guys drive those things?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com