Most of your life is spent on a journey from point A to point B. Without
ever stopping to realize it. We wake up, we go to bed. We go to school, we
graduate. We get a job, we go to job. We come home, we go to bed. We repeat
this 250 times a year, with two weeks off for vacation, and some call it life.
They fail to see that we spend most of our time along the way, that we are in a
perpetual as you go situation. They travel the same roads, yet fail to see
where they are going, or where they have been. Even sadder is they miss the
things along the way, the life that is happening right before our very eyes.
Places that many times only exist in our dreams, yet we have the chance to
travel them every day. Safe and secure in mediocrity, they raise families to
live the same lives, passing generational losses on to their children. Feigning
success, happiness, and finding comfort in arriving. They made it, but outside
of arriving have nothing to show for the ride. Those of us who ride know
better. Life is more personal, as we use all the senses God created in us to
enjoy the day, and the ride. Last weeks four day, 1000 mile ride reminded me of
the freedom in riding, freedom of the road, the destination secondary when you
are setting out on a road, and having the perfect riding partner along to share
it with is where it is at. Only on a motorcycle do you look at the skies before
setting out. Dress in layers, one morning started out in the 40’s, jacket off
by lunch, and in the 80’s by dinner. In a car, you turn on the heater/AC, the
radio, and just go. Latte in one hand, our lives in your other as you attempt
to steer around us. We check our tires, how many miles till empty via the trip
mileage, where breakfast will be, usually an hour down the road, and what roads
we will ride. Maps old and creased from folding are old friends, and you plan
your day around the ride, the road, arriving wherever when you get there. Side
roads call, we rode three roads I have passed by for years wondering where they
went, rode too fast at 20mph, too slow at 80. One off camber, up hill, 180
degree turn in first the most challenging. We savor the points between A and B
where most others rush by, the places we see they don’t. The memories we have
they won’t, and a good night’s sleep from being tired, not stressed. And wake
up each morning ready to ride again.
We check and lube our chains. Check our tires for wear, and to see how
much of the sides we have used. Bikers know how many miles we can go until we
hit reserve, which gas gives better performance, why Dunlops steer quicker, but
wear faster than Michelins, and why to sit at the counter at a diner where all
the action is. When we stop and visit we compare road notes, places to eat,
places to avoid, and inquire of “which way are you going?” which also tells us
where you came from. We have a common bond, we ride, and the road becomes a
third party, it is real, has personality, ups and downs, detours, and fast
sweepers. It is the life we spend most of our waking hours on, so we enjoy it
and look forward to it. It is our destination, not just a way to get
somewhere. Those who drive just don’t get it, the artificial environment with
controlled temp and music is boring to us. Allowing a GPS to guide our day is
sinful, being stuck in traffic stupid, and driving side by side in no way
compares to riding with one in back of the other. We call them cages, they get
in, lock the door, put the latte down, turn on the satellite radio, and prepare
to be bored. Thinking you are entertained. Stuck behind the wheel, never
knowing the freedom of behind the handlebars.
Too many Christians I know confuse God and the church. Thinking they are
the one and the same, they go to church, tithe at church, get prayed for at
church, and even endure church for an hour once a week. They are stuck in a
cage, just like being in a car, repeating 52 times a year, and never going
anywhere with God. Climate controlled religion. Living life to the least,
thinking they are living it to the fullest. In Christ, just not with Jesus.
They ask for the spirit to come, never knowing he is always present, they have
turned away. Same music, same seat, same pastor, and same messages, nothing
new, until Jesus becomes real in their lives. Religion will do that, a man once
told me “he always feels safe on the road when going to church, all the masses
are the same.” Never challenged by what God can do in a life, that is for
others. Yet they miss the fact that Jesus spent most of his time on the road.
Everyday the road was his destination, and the people he met along the way. It
even happened to the apostles, Philip meeting the Ethiopian eunuch, and Paul
meeting Jesus. Where? On the road. Where the action is, where the people
are. Where we ride. Our destination for the day’s trip. Which is why some
have testimonies to share, while some are the audience. Some follow Jesus, some
just follow. Some lead, some must be led. Only Jesus and bikers know the true
freedom of the road. Maybe that is why Christian bikers are a special breed, we
understand freedom. We ride. We know Jesus.
And so recall the great commission Jesus gives us. To go and make
disciples. Not in church, but along the road. It is given in a perfect tense,
meaning “as you go,” share Jesus. Hard to do in a locked car, easier one to
one. Face to face, or helmet to helmet. As we ride, we live, we share, we
build testimonies. Life is a ride, and the ride is life. Don’t be like some
who quit riding because they got old, only to find they got old because they
quit riding. Don’t confuse your life in Christ with going to church. Quit
praying for the spirit, and start living in him. Jesus left us his spirit to
guide, comfort, and ride with until he returns. He is here, you are here, the
road is here. Still don’t get it? Where the spirit of the Lord is there is
liberty. We look down the road, anticipating the next curve, not looking behind
to see who is gaining. We ride the ride Jesus gives us to the max. He is the
Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end, but also the right now. Which is where
we spend all our time. Today was tomorrow yesterday. Tomorrow will be
yesterday soon enough. Enjoy the day, the ride, and Jesus. Get all the
blessings from life he offers. Cars and religion, now you know why we ride
motorcycles. And why we love Jesus. I’d try to explain, but you probably
couldn’t hear me inside my Arai.
And now you know why dogs ride with their heads out the window.
Freedom...and why a 200 mile for orange juice ice cream makes perfect sense.
And what motorcyclists talk about...freedom. In between rides, of course.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com