We pulled into the parking lot at the Lodge at Crater Lake after along days
ride. The cooler air felt good, and nowhere, not even Lake Tahoe can compare
with the blue of the Lake. We had just gotten off and were stretching when an
SUV driven by a mother and filled with kids pulled up next to us. Getting out
she took one look at us and asked “wanna trade?” Maybe it was the altitude,
maybe the car load of boys, but I like to think it was the motorcycle. The
others were just the catalyst, but she saw the freedom of the ride. We never
exchanged pleasantries, and just nodded, but so much was said in so few words.
Such is the freedom of riding. And even after a long ride, a good stretch, a
Tootsie Roll and a Coke later, we would look forward to getting back on the bike
and riding again. No such remedy awaited her in the car. Adjust the seat and
mirror, turn on the AC, pop in a CD and they would be off. The only seat
adjustments we would make would be leaning in the curves, the cool air
refreshing us as it surrounded us at speed, and the triple making beautiful
music as we ran it through the gears. No one riding ever asked anyone in an SUV
“wanna trade?”
Talking with a man one afternoon, he was bragging about all the places he
had been. He talked of cities in the US of A, Detroit, St. Louis, Denver,
Miami, and other metro areas. I kept up with him, mentioning roads taken along
he way, and he lost interest. Bummed, then upset. For he had flown to all
these places, many on vacation, but yet could not identify with any of the
places I had been. He had flown from airport to airport, taxied to his motel,
but never seen the city. Another taxi ride at night for dinner, and guided
tours of tourist places dotted his itinerary. He had been there, but hadn’t
been anywhere. He saw nothing more than what he could have seen in a brochure
or website. We had been to the same cities, but much different cities. He flew
over the Arch in St. Louis, I parked my bike under it. He flew into Detroit, we
rode through it. He never felt the loss of power at a mile high in Denver, we
did as we rode into it, and over the mountains to the west. He never felt the
humidity of Miami, except for a brief walk from taxi to club, we later enjoyed
the AC in our room after riding in the heat. He bought postcards, Theresa took
pictures. Which trip would you rather take? Which one makes you want to go
again, anywhere? Does a sight of an airport make you hunger for a trip, or does
just walking past your motorcycle in the garage call out to you to ride?
Anywhere? Any time? Why not call in sick and ride for therapy? Have you ever seen a motorcycle parked in front of a travel agency?
So when traveling we prefer two if by land. Cars are optional, we took a
trip a few weeks back in the Mustang, and riding in a car is a novelty to us.
But we missed riding, meeting the people, and filling up for half price. We
were in air conditioned comfort, no helmet head, no bugs, and lots of luggage
courtesy of the trunk. And I wished I was on a motorcycle the whole time. One
trip through Texas from California to New Jersey expressed it best. Stopping
for gas outside Amarillo the wind was blowing, raining hard, and it was cold. I
had to lean against my bike to steady it as I filled it, the wind was so bad.
Looking over at the next pump was a Lincoln filled with people, the windows
fogged from their breathing. My only thought was no way would I want to trade.
Even in the rain and wind, it was an easy choice. I fact it was no choice at
all. And taking off the weather didn’t seem to matter any more....it was all
about the ride. Two if by land....
Even with a passenger, with limited communication, you can feel like you
are riding alone. But even riding single, I am never by myself. Jesus promised
that if he went away, he would send a helper. A friend to guide us, he tells
his disciples in John “I will not leave you as orphans.” They had to be afraid,
he had warned them of his death, and being with him they could face death too.
But he would not abandon them, and he had to die so he would be resurrected.
Only dead things that once had life can be resurrected. But until he returned
for us he promised us the Holy spirit to guide us. Described as the comforter,
counselor, and friend. A prayer partner so you can never be alone, for wherever
two or three are gathered Jesus is among us. Need an amen, the spirit is
there. Maybe just amen what the spirit tells you-even better. So I never ride
alone. Never eat alone, and never get lonely. I may ride by myself but I am
never alone. The spirit of the Lord is with me. And until we are called home
to heaven, the spirit is with us.
And loves to communicate with us. While praying one afternoon, I looked
back on a trip I had just taken, and found myself in prayer telling Jesus all
about it. Guided by the spirit, he was with me in every turn, and I felt like I
had shared precious time with a good friend. All prayer is not about asking for
help, share some of your times with Jesus. If he had a Facebook page, would you
friend him? Go deeper in you relationship guided by the spirit. We fellowship
with others, do we ever fellowship with Jesus? Think of the tales he could tell
us of his travels, and if he asked us “wanna trade?” I gladly would give my sin
over to him again for his presence in my life. Heaven awaits, but we don’t need
to be in heaven to spend time with him. The spirit is willing, are you?
At the day of Pentecost 3000 came to the Lord as the spirit was unleashed.
3000 individuals found Christ. Personally. One on one, and it is the same
today. One on one. You are never alone with Jesus in your life. God is still
pouring out his spirit, and wants you to have all he has for you. Until that
day when Jesus returns, we are never alone.
So next time someone asks “are you in the Word?” answer like I do, “is the
Word in you?” Jesus is the Word, and he left his spirit to be in us. Are you
guided by words or the Word? Some read about Jesus, I want to experience all he
has. I want to see more of him in my life, and in yours. To share testimonies
of him in our lives. And even when not riding, prefer two if by land. Four
wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul. Riding and living in the
spirit-get all God has for you today. The spirit is willing....wanna
trade?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
