Stop and think for a minute if you never changed your mind. Think if you
still had the same outlook on life at age 5 as when you were born. Think of the
difference between 5 and 10, 10 and 15, and 15 and 20. Now think about 5 and
20-wow! From Mommie being your best girl friend, to girls having cooties, to
being strangely attracted to them at 13, to looking for a long lasting
relationship at 20. It was us who changed, thankfully, to meet the new desires
that each time in our life presented. A State Farm commercial talks about the
nevers in our lives, representing one man never getting married, never leaving
the city, never getting a mini van, and finally never having kids. For the
nevers in our lives the ad proclaims, that Sate Farm is there. So much for the
never say nevers in our lives. And I am reminded of this today when my older
son called from London. It is his 35th birthday....times flies, and it has been
a good time. But to the contrary to those who think time goes faster as you get
older, I can tell you it is us who get slower. Time is a constant, we tend to
be not so constant. And throughout my life, I have been glad to change with the
times, but never change my God. But I have changed my rides.....
I can remember being told when I hit 55 “you’ll be riding a Gold Wing if
you still can ride,” and I denied it then, and do now. Although I did enjoy my
last stint on a Trophy, it felt good getting back on the Street Triple. And the
Bonneville. And the Tigers. So maybe I am changing a little, just one bike at
a time. But I still enjoy the ride, and although I don’t have the endurance I
once had, it is still more than most. A BMW poster in my garage encourages me
to go farther than around the block. To ride between time zones, coasts,
oceans, and borders. To not be limited by city limits, but to explore. I ride
much different than I did at 20, actually faster as my skills are honed, but my
desire to be on the road is just as great. And at an age where I maybe cannot
look ahead another 25 years, I can look back at over 45 of riding, with precious
memories I have had, but also with those to come. Just because you get older
doesn’t mean you stop living or riding, it just allows you to do things
differently. Like your outlook towards girls and motorcycles, some get better
with time, but never forget to enjoy what and where you are right now. And
where your dreams may take may you tomorrow.
During history people have made pacts or agreements. When the Pilgrims
landed in Massachusetts, they formed the Mayflower Compact, a set of rules to
live by in the new world. Less than 175 years later our forefathers made a new
agreement with the Declaration of Independence. In both cases they felt a
divine God was leading them to a better life, and they didn’t want to lose it,
or miss any blessing that God had for them. They made vows to one another, just
like we make vows today, and hoped that they would be encouraged by each other
to keep them. History tells us different, as they changed, changing the times
with them. But it is really when Jesus Christ comes into our lives that we
change, as all change comes from the inside out, not the other way around. A
Harley is still a 1936 design no matter what color it is painted, or how much
chrome added. They have improved, but the call is still the same. The call to
ride, the call of the open road.
Ask yourself, where are you in Christ today? Compared to 5, 10, 15, or
even 20 or mores years with him? Have you changed, have you grown in him? Is
your love for him still as fresh today, or is is more so? Has he made an impact
on your life so that you are known as a Christian when you meet others? Or have
you hung up your leathers because you got old, and done the same with God? We
know people who have gotten old because they have stopped riding, not stopped
because they got old. Works with Christ too. Religion is only for women and
children. So stay a child of God, let him be your Father, and be his son.
Acknowledge his son in your life, and enjoy every day. Every way. If he has
truly changed your life, you grow old with him. Ray and I decided we aren’t
getting old, just older. He at 71 rides a turbo charged B King with 264
horsepower as his daily ride. Riding gives us life and keeps us alive. But
Jesus gives us eternal life, keeps us alive until he calls us home, no matter
the age. And as we have no guarantee for tomorrow, I do for heaven, and I am
glad I ride with him.
Changes in what I ride, changes in how I ride. Changes in who Jesus is in
my life, and how I live for him today. Compare that to the nevers in your life,
and remember one never from a speech given to a graduating college class by Sir
Winston Churchill. In total, “Never, never never, ever give up.” And then he
sat. Maybe the best never to ever remember. Second only to never forget about
Jesus. Never say no to him when he tugs on your heart, or knocks on the door of
it. Never forget who he is and what he did. And what he still does in the
lives of those who believe. And still wants to do in those who don’t. Jesus
never changed, or changes. We do. So let him change your life today. Make a
pact with him today, he calls it a new covenant, a contract with no ending, you
get the title to life right up front, not when the contract payments are
finished. He never stops being God, so don’t ever stop letting him be.
Never, never, ever, give up on Christ. He hasn’t on you. Grow older in
him, and when you get old, you are one day closer to heaven. One mile closer to
home. The final ride....And if you happen to pass me on a Gold Wing, or
Bonneville, or even a Harley, wave back. I’m still living and loving the life
God has given me. Changes in what I may ride, but never in the God who saved
me. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever. The future never
looked so good.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com