Once upon a time 10,000 miles was considered high mileage on a motorcycle.
With three bikes in my garage with over 70,000, and the Tiger with over 98,000,
such mileages would have been unheard of outside of BMW’s years ago, who used to
give out awards for going 100,000 miles. Today 100k is not a lot, as Gold Wings
go over 200,000, and even Harleys go over 100k. Times have changed, technology
is improving the breed, and horsepower only found on race bikes years ago can
bought from the showroom floor and ridden daily. Even cars that used to be worn
out at 50,000, now can go 200,000, or 300,000 miles before being worn out. The
engines will outlast the rest of the car, or motorcycle, with interior parts,
seats, paint, and other systems failing, but the motors keep going and going. A
friend who is a GM at a multi line dealer tells me he would trade for my 98k
Tiger, it can be resold. Amazing...
So today’s technology can build a long distance, high mileage motor on a
regular basis. But in racing, motors are built to a different criteria, think
of it as motors by the mile. Trophy Truck motors are build to last, to provide
maximum power for 500 or 1000 miles, built to a race. Then torn down and
rebuilt, or replaced for the next race. NASCAR motors the same, not built for
high miles, but high rpm miles for a specific distance. Even drag racing motors
are torn down between heats, or switched out, only driven 1/4 mile at a time.
Beware the low mileage car with stickers, advertised as only driven on Sundays.
It may go 1/4 mile at a time like your SUV, but at a higher standard of speed.
So race motors can be built to go the distance depending on the distance.
Designed to run at high rpms for hours on end, not loaf along at low rpm like
your sedan. And with today’s fuel injection and computer aided tuning, higher
fuel economy is available. I watched a Chevy engineer years ago tuning a race
truck from his lap top, not so much gaining power, but fuel mileage. Going from
4 to 5 mpg may not seem like a big deal, but with a 100 gallon tank is one less
pit stop, with more time on the race course. Maybe the difference between
winning and losing. Actual mileage may vary depending upon how you drive. Or
ride.
And so we all want all the power we can get when we want it. When we need
it. When we were younger, we looked at life as a sprint. But as we get older
we are reminded of Paul’s words, that life is an endurance race, and we race to
win. Too many burnout from jobs, careers, drugs, or other things that rule
their lives. Happens to Christians too, who think they must live every moment
for God, doing things for him. Led by a subtle form of pride, not the spirit,
for the spirit gives life, it doesn’t waste it. A Hollywood producer once said
“if I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of
myself.” While some diet, watch what they eat, exercise, watch their weight, we
neglect the spiritual man that will live forever. We are more concerned on the
physical, the seen, while God is concerned with the soul, the invisible that is
unseen. Some live life as if it were to end tomorrow, and burnout early,
limping along in life, low on power. But Jesus tells us we can have all the
power we need, when we need it in the spirit. Meekness it is called, power
under control, a fruit of the spirit. We may drive freeways a 1/4 mile at a
time, but under different conditions than a drag racer. He needs all he can get
for a short burst, we need to endure to the end. And by living in the spirit,
we can exercise meekness, and accomplish more while using less energy. If only
we follow God’s urging and not our own foolish pride. We cannot make God love
us any more than he does, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, yet many
serve at the table of self, “look at what I am doing for God,” while neglecting
family and what God has called them to do, love him first, and then others. He
provides all the power we need when we need it.
The other side is those on cruise control, just coasting through life,
doing little, or just enough to get by. They too miss the blessings of a loving
God because it is all about themselves. They live life like the Borgias did, it
is all about them. Let’s see what God can do for me today, as they continue in
sin. Same motor as we all have been given, just no power because of the absence
of the holy spirit driving their lives.
Today God will give you all you need when you need it. Do not neglect the
spiritual aspect of him either. He is a spirit and must be worshipped as such.
So walk or ride or drive in his spirit, and find power you never knew existed.
Some build high horsepower motors, some by the mile, only God will take us the
distance. And scripture tells us it is not by might, not by power, but by his
spirit. NO matter how much power your engine has, someone else will always be
faster. Whose motor can last longer, 500 hp can leave you stranded or a DNF as
easy as 100. It is by the spirit we will win, and be guided as we need to go.
So beware the ad that states “61 year old man, 1 million miles on two wheels.
New motor, runs fast, needs some cosmetics.” I can do all things in Christ who
gives me the strength. The power. Only by his spirit. How long your motor
will last depends on how you live, and ride. You have no control over the day
you die, just as you had no say in the day you were born. But you have a say in
how you live, and I choose to live in the spirit. I will not win every race,
but will endure to the end in Christ. Where I will get a new body,with a new
aorta, and live forever. We will all make it to the end, just have different
rewards. Mine will be found in heaven, in Jesus Christ. God doesn’t promise us
tomorrow, so enjoy today in Christ. Keep being fueled by the spirit. It was
only 5 miles from finish at Indy Robbie Gordon ran out of gas, in first place.
Don’t you. Fuel economy will vary with driving style. And the way we live.
Aren’t you glad your God has what it takes to go the distance? And driven more
than only on Sundays...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com