We never quite know what lies ahead on the road we are traveling. When in
a hurry, whether it be for a time on our schedule, hunger driven by where to
eat, or looking for gas before we go into the push mode, we can always look
back, look ahead with great expectation, but realize that we spend most of our
time in the right now. How many conversations are of roads passed by wondering
where they wander, or of places we wished we would have stopped. Old drive ins
where the smell of cheeseburgers draws us in, but we ride on. Cycle shops that
caught our eye, but not our brand. Or worse yet, our brand, and we miss the
chance for just the t-shirt we were looking for. All have happened to us, and
it seems many of our best road side interludes are not planned, but based on a
split second decision when they catch our attention. One of of our unofficial
riding rules is never go back the way we came, and in doing so miss the second
chance to correct our first bad decision. So over the miles we now stop when
something catches our eye, or someone on the road tells us about it. We plan
days crammed with lesser miles, and end up riding more, while seeing more as we
go. All because we follow our instinct of what, where, why is that catching our
attention. But it really comes down to one simple premise, we don’t know if we
will ever get back that way again.
Sometimes it a simple thing like the day we rode over 400 miles in Florida,
only to arrive 135 miles from where we started. Getting caught in rain, but
finding a Honda store just closing, but had enough time to sell us a $10 “Stupid
Hurts” shirt I had been looking for. Made my day. Another time it was taking
the wrong Y when we came to it, and finding Vallecito Lake, and ending up moving
there. Sure beat the Jaycee picnic I was invited to. Or wandering into the
Jackson Inn, out of gas, but not out of hunger, and needing a place to stay.
The hotel part was closed, still renovating, but we could stay if we didn’t mind
unpacking the mattresses. We did and it turned out to be their 100th birthday
that night, celebrated over the best pan fried steak I ever had. Sometimes the
middle of nowhere is exactly where you need to be. Or the desk clerk at the
motel in Victoria, giving me the key the closed pool and spa, we had it to
ourselves, after she called ahead for the restaurant to stay open after we
arrived late, and without a reservation. All unplanned, but all welcome on the
ride.
So we ride alone, no group or crowd rides as I refer to them, for in a
group you need to get the crowd’s permission. They travel like Goldilocks, food
must satisfy all, motels the same, and they ride a homogenized ride, filled with
Denny’s and Holiday Inns. I have been told I ride too fast, too far, or to too
out of the way places. So we ride alone, and our stories of where we ate, rode,
slept, and what we saw are always the topic of conversation. As expressed by
Bruce on a Canadian ride, “how do you find these places?” He spent the morning
looking for a landmark he had read about, we spent it at the Trev Deeley
Museum. Upstairs in an old warehouse, since moved, we saw the original, and
upon arriving we sat in the President’s office, he wanted to here about our trip
and our rides. And gave us access to the limited access museum. But the
highlight which should been the museum, could have been the trade magazine doing
an article, ended up when a man in a wheelchair showed up, and they had no
elevator. And with his permission, used a fork lift to lift him into freight
door just like they had for the 50+ motor cycles upstairs. His smile later told
more than words, he had seen something many others had never even heard of.
Trev Deeley is the Harley Davidson importer for almost 100 years. Talk about
history....And as our travels go, finding it easier to ask forgiveness when we
see something and stop, than ask for permission. Best expressed by the desk
clerk at the Cedar Grove Inn. Our AC had quit in the middle of the night, so we
found another room, it just happened to be where General Grant had slept when he
won Vicksburg. Even his bed, the most expensive room in the place. When we
told her when checking out, her response was simple, “I’m glad someone had the
sense to do the right thing.” Ah, Southern hospitality...
Prayer may have had something to do with all these, but we seldom ask God
about every move we make. Not the relationship that brags of trusting him.
Some will take a fatalistic attitude, of why pray, God is going to do his will
anyway. Some just ask foolishly, or non-specific. Some add if its your
will...we find it is easier to just ride. When God travels with you, you just
know when and where to stop. More than a feeling, beyond words, it comes from
knowing him, and being in fellowship with him. Meditating as Psalm 1 says, we
prefer to think of it as hanging out with Jesus. So why ask God? Because
prayer is more than asking, because it involves listening. Which is more
important, why ask if you don’t want an answer? And so we go down many roads
not planned, maybe not even prayed for, but trusting God to bless us. Some are
timid in asking, I prefer the personal approach. Knowing Jesus, and living in
the spirit. Not just asking, but doing, knowing that if I am wrong I can ask
forgiveness and receive it. While some still seek permission, and do nothing.
The only things you really fail at are the ones you never try. Which is why so
many never leave the four walls of church, never get out among the people like
Jesus advised us, and see where the blessings and action are. They live in a
homogenized world, only know Christians, only use Christians for work, and only
hang out with others who believe as they do. Raising their kids the same way,
and wondering why they fail when out in the world. Never reaching beyond what
they think God has for them...not knowing they are not trusting God. Never
really sharing the gospel, and missing out on seeing the Bible come alive when
you spend time with God-alone. Or riding. Outside the safety of the church.
Where did Jesus spend most of his time? Not in church...on the road. Do we see
a theme here? He was out among the people, imagine if he had to ask the
Pharisees permission to be out among the poor, homeless, hookers, bikers, and
others who didn’t measure up? Where would you be? Where would he find you
now?
So we ride places, see things, stop and check things out when we are on the
road. We may never return there, why miss a blessing? Or a memory, a
testimony? You may be called upon by God to minister, and be blessed. It can
happen anywhere, at any time. On a tour of the Ephrata Cloisters, a religious
village in Pennsylvania, after the tour the guide asked the group if there were
any questions. The Cloisters were a village where people waited for the return
of Jesus, and they wanted to be ready. So the guide mentioned the rapture many
times, and when asked about it, didn’t really know. So I did, to a room full of
people, I shared the gospel. Not asking permission, the spirit gave me words,
and many were interested. The guide was relieved, and our day was made. If we
had asked, I might have been turned down, but God had a different ending. So it
is easier to trust God, and maybe have to ask forgiveness, than to ask
permission and be refused. Life is not a safe, secure ride, it is the detours
that often make it exciting. Interesting, and worth it. Dare to trust God,
follow his spirit, and see where he guides. And never ride alone. Jesus offers
forgiveness, you don’t need his permission to be saved. Accept his invitation
today and start living. His will be done, but only if you know him personally.
What would Jesus do? You have to ask?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com