I thought of my friend Lance the other day when seeing a commercial for The
Mary Tyler Moore Show. He always had a crush on her, she was the prefect woman
of the early seventies. To him and many others. She was the girl who could take
a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile. Which made me
reconsider all the seemingly nothing things I do all week. And looking back
somehow they all seemed worthwhile.
The new Indian dealer opened and I wanted to ride a Scout. When he saw I
was riding an Explorer with manufacturer plates, and saw I rode for Triumph, I
was in, and we set out. Nice bike, but when he turned to go back, I pulled up
next to him and told him “I’m not ready,” and got on the freeway. He caught up
and when we returned he figured I just had to get on it. New friend made. The
day before I had stopped by to see Jerry at the Harley store, and met a new
salesman, who liked my Bonneville. So many Harleys sold, yet when I pull in on
the Bonneville, they all gather around it. Go figure. He had a Norton, and was
new to Harley...his first love British. Nice to see young guys riding the
classics. Later in the week a stop at the BMW store and Phil, who used to sell
Triumphs, and is always interested to see what press bike I have. Offered me a
ride on the new S1000X, the 160 hp adventure bike. No time today, maybe next
week. We joked about owning a Prius, only to offend a guy standing there.
Sorry buddy, you bought it. Maybe a motorcycle can get you back your manhood.
Looked at the Guzzis and Aprilias, cool stuff. I’m still a sucker for Euro
bikes. And on the way home stopped by to see Mike at the Honda store. We go
back a long ways, and we talked of why certain bikes we thought would sell never
did, crazy financing, and did I want to sell for him. Sorry no, I’m retired.
Caught up on our kids, and I was off. Thanked the guys in service who checked
my tires, then home and put it on the charger, I really need to ride it more.
An unplanned stop at a multi brand dealer and visiting with Tyson, who is
the GM now. He is going to England for the worldwide intro of the new
Bonnevilles, and was invited on a private factory tour. Lucky sucker. So when
I got home opened the teaser email again about them, and called Mick. He is
doing the US intro meeting next month, and although bikes aren’t on the water
yet, he’ll have them soon, which means I’ll have one soon. The Thruxton R in
Silver Ice is driving me nuts. Bikes are set for late spring intro, I will have
put thousands of miles on them by then. Earlier I had taken the Explorer back
and got the Street Triple, and checked it out for my son who will ride it when
he comes home next month. My other son stopped by on his way to work and gave
me some New Zealand bike magazines his girlfriend picked up there last week.
Rode the blue Tiger to Bible study, and made note to fuel the white one for our
weekend ride tomorrow. The blue one has gone from interstate tourer to grocery
getter, and perfect for riding down to San Diego Tuesday nights to minister.
And stopping to look back, I was amazed at the impact of motorcycles in my
life. I had ridden over 600 miles on 6 different bikes, and never gone more
than 85 miles from home. Add in last weekend’s ride for another 220, and I had
ridden over 800 miles, and hadn’t really gone anywhere. Maybe my nothing days
were worthwhile after all....because I ride. And the people I know.
Fellowshipping is under rated. Getting together with people of like
interests reminded me of that. At the Bible study yesterday talked with Pastor
Glenn about prayer warriors. Hassled Doug about his new BMW, who loves to ride
it. Talked with Ron about the week, and after the study visited with many of us
seniors. Older saints with lots of miles and years among us, with Jesus in
common. A treasure trove of testimonies shared, and without Jesus we never
would have met. You see Jesus takes a nothing life and suddenly makes it all
seem worthwhile. He adds life to your style, and purpose to you. I have met
more people from all different walks of life, who are my brothers and sisters in
Christ. He is our common denominator, and with him we have all things. And it
makes me reflect on all my motorcycle friends, who know who and what I am, and
who I get to minster to. Guys who would never set foot in a church, but can
hear the gospel, and see it live through me. Which really makes life
worthwhile. And if it can work for bikers, it can work for golfers. Quilters.
Soccer moms. SUV drivers. You see God has appointed us to be his ambassadors
in the world, not to keep the message just between the saved inside the four
walls of the church. My scope of friends goes from millionaires, to retired
police chiefs, to 1%’er club presidents, to Marine officers, to hookers,
prisoners, and retired pastors. Today I will meet with Karl, just out on
parole, and Ben, a retired pastor whose ministry was in the trenches. These men
love the Lord, and both are called to different audiences, like I am. Without
Karl many in prison would have never heard the word, and been given hope. Ben
stood the ground for many years defending the down trodden. All from different
backgrounds, who get excited when we talk about Jesus. We just can’t keep him
inside of us, we need to share him through ministering to others. No preaching,
but loving those who need it when it is needed. And when is love never
needed?
Maybe we all need to stop and look back at our week, and see where God was
in it. How he made simple things interesting, and gave life purpose. Maybe
spend more time meditating on him, praying and thanking him. God has given me
the desire of my heart, and it is him. He has also given me a passion for
motorcycles, and lets me be out riding and sharing. A life within a lifestyle,
no colors flying, no tracts to pass out, just meeting people on the street like
Jesus did. As I go, like he did. Today you may think your life is hum drum, is
boring. Let Jesus make it exciting, get out and live for him. With him. There
is action on the streets just waiting for you to make it happen, and your
ministry field doesn’t have to be an ocean away. People need to not only hear
the message, but see it in real life. If Jesus can take two anarchists, a tax
collector, fishermen, and a banker, throw in a Pharisee, and change the world,
imagine what he can do with you? Let Christ into your life now, and let him
take that nothing life and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile. Jesus and
motorcycles, it just don’t get any better. That’s my story, what’s yours?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com