In my defense, I admit I love motorcycles.. All kinds. All sizes. I have
anything form Bonnevilles to Classic bikes to sport bikes in my garage right
now. Of the six, each one has a different motor. And of the dozen or so times
I have ridden from coast to coast I have done it on anything from 650 to 1100cc,
from 2 to 4 cylinders. So I rest my case even before mentioning all the bikes I
ride for Triumph. You be the judge...I love motorcycles, and motorcycling.
Guilty, serving a life sentence. But some do stretch my affection, such as my
friend Stu’s Gold Wing, aka The Buick. It weighs as much as any two bikes I
own, has a windshield the size of an NBA backboard, 1800cc six cylinder, the
rear seats have arm rests, it has a trunk, a front tire the size of my rear
tire, a radio, cruise control, and the new ones have airbags. Hence the name
The Buick. All the things new cars have, including reverse, “honest officer I’m
not drunk, that motorcycle backed into me...” Its owners claim they are the
ultimate touring bike, I leave that one to individual taste, with a warning,
pass them whenever you can. On one ride encountering a group of them, they
never exceeded 50 mph, and when we stopped and talked I mentioned the low speed,
“can’t you hear your radio if you go any faster?” A tap on the shoulder
reminded me “no they can’t.” Like I said, in my defense...
Swapping bikes yesterday at Triumph, I am now riding a 2015 Trophy SE,
their big touring bike. Not my first, and I sorta like them. For their size
they handle-they are a Triumph after all, they go fast, great motor, and I like
having bags every once in awhile when I forget to bring a bungee cord along.
But I never have listened to its sound system, and mu curiousity got the best of
me yesterday, so riding down I-5 along the ocean, I adjusted the windshield up,
still like wind in my face, set the cruise on 80, and turned on the radio.
Finding KGB appropriately playing Hitching a Ride by Boston. And for the next
few minutes I was in Buick land. The sound was great, the air clean, and I was
cruising with no input from me. And when the song ended I woke up, and realized
what I had done, I had ridden a Buick, just like the Wing nuts do, except I did
it at 80, and could hear the music fine. But I had lost all contact with
riding, no input from my right wrist, minimal wind in my face, and no music from
the 3 cylinder exhaust. I had crossed over the line, and I asked myself “what
had just happened?” Had I aged decades for few miles? Had I crossed over into
a land where motorcycles had become car like? I had sorta enjoyed it, but them
I asked myself “wouldn’t you really rather ride a Buick?” And the answer was,
is, and will be “NO!” I was on a motorcycle, just not of motorcycling.
It was everything I don’t ride for. I like light bikes that handle, are
quick and are fun. This was fun only because it was a motorcycle, but I was
riding a Buick, a car. I was mesmerized by the computer screen telling me I was
getting 49.1 mpg at 80 miles per hour, but had lost contact with riding. Input,
just not sensory. I had crossed over into a land I hope to avoid and was the
better for it. True, for the next 1000 miles this will be my ride, but I will
enjoy the wind in my face, the roar of the triple, and wearing the sides of the
tires off. Using the cruise as a defense mechanism, it helps keep the speed
down, this sucker is fast, and fortunately the cruise only works to 100. Like I
said, in my defense...and parked next to the Street Triple in my garage, which
has everything you need on a motorcycle and nothing you don’t, I feel a ride
coming on over some curvy roads I know. Therapy from therapy, I don’t need no
doctor, just two wheels and a motor. And no, I really rather not ride a
Buick.
When Jesus left his disciples, he prayed to his father to not take them out
of the world, but to protect them. We are of God, but still live in this
world. With two kingdoms fighting for our souls, God’s and Satan’s. And many
Christians, myself included have warned new believers to get out of the world,
seclude yourself from it. Avoid any and all contact with it, and don’t get
mixed up with it as long as you live. Just the opposite of what Jesus prayed.
We are to be in the world, just not of it. We are God’s, bought with a price,
and belong to him. And he protects us. And think about it, where did Jesus
spend all his time? Where were you when you heard about Christ? And where was
the person who shared Jesus with you? Out in the world! If we are to be salt
and light where are we to be it? Out in the world! Not covering our light
under a basket, or behind a windshield, but in it. Just not of it. I rode
behind a fairing, radio and cruise on. But I was not of it. Don’t fall into
the trap of segregating yourself from the lost. True bad company corrupts good
morals, and we are to not even say “God bless you” to the cultists, but we are
to walk in the freedom Jesus did, in the spirit protected and guided from God
above. Not from our own rules, but by God’s. God is calling us by his spirit
to live in the world, just not be overcome by it. To not be contaminated by it,
but bring life to a dying generation. We are to be a release for those in
bondage, ambassadors of Jesus Christ, not seclude ourselves with those who
believe like us, shielded by doctrine and not God. We need to live in the
spirit, and enjoy all the freedoms Jesus died for.
It is possible we are walking in sin if we aren’t out in the world becoming
the light of Christ and isolating ourselves. Without us to be that light, the
world is left in darkness, and it is left with only the rocks to praise God, to
cry out. To do what we are supposed to do, but neglect to do. So try a
different approach today, ask Jesus what he wants you to do, without giving him
the choices. Be warned, you will encounter Lazaruses laid in your path, don’t
step over them. You may encounter those who are the least of them, be reminded
that what you do to them you are doing to Jesus. Try showing love and courtesy,
compassion and understanding, knowing that if not for the grace of God, there go
I. Find the freedom of getting out from behind the windshield of religion and
experience life in the spirit. Maybe even talk or ride with someone your
parents warned you about. God will protect you, and like he says, obedience is
better than sacrifice. Some ride protected from the wind, I like to ride in
it. I am selfish, I want everything I can get from my ride and my God. I want
to be blessed, so if you ask, “No, I really rather not ride a Buick.” But I
will share in the blessings he provides while riding it. I love Jesus, guilty
serving a life sentence. Life!
Now about those plush animals on your trunks....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com