My first experience riding a real motorcycle, not a mini-bike, came in 8th
grade, riding my friend Ricky’s Honda 50. Not the scooter style, but with the
conversion kit giving it a seat and tank so it resembled a real motorcycle. And
to us it was. But he replaced it with an Ossa Plonker, a 250cc trials machine,
a huge bike for us kids, and no one outside of the quirky few who rode trials
knew what a trials bike was. Not a trail, but a trials bike, where you covered
a pre-marked course, trying to make the best time. Losing points for putting
your foot down or crashing. Sounds easy, until you see the course, which was
riding up straight walls, crossing running streams, hopping over logs that are
2’ in diameter, and navigating sand pits. While going slow, sometimes coming to
a complete stop, and then starting again...learning the truth about technical
courses first hand. A sport that requires great coordination, and surviving
falls from slow speeds, over cliffs. Not really popular in the colonies, it is
an European sport, but for awhile it took hold, or almost did over here. And of
course when all others got into motocross, I rode trials. And suffered the
abuse of going too slow, or not being able to ride fast, no big jumps, etc, but
when they tried to ride trials themselves gave it a new appreciation.
My friend Gerald was a chiropractor, and on Wednesday afternoons while
other doctors where driving a golf ball on courses, we rode trials bikes and
made our own course. We both rode Suzuki TL250’s, mine the newer one with the
aluminum tank, which meant it was lighter, but dented easier when I fell, or hit
tree branches. We rode the foothills of Albuquerque, where today there are
houses, but back then some desert trails, lots of rock formations, and the
Sandias begging us to try them. Which we did on many occasions, one time
navigating a stream so well we took a moment to brag on ourselves. Which only
lasted until we looked back to where we had ridden, and saw no way back.
Sometimes uphill is easier, and going down can take twice the time. But we made
it, with more bruises than the bike, and riding with a doctor along is always
the best first aid kit to have along. I miss those afternoon rides, as they
were peaceful, and we had a good time not only riding, but he was older, and
taught me fatherly lessons. And of course we had times to share God with each
other. Fellowship on two wheels, God would add the trials to our trails.
But one afternoon we had any unexpected trial added to our ride. Riding
along an old foot path in the foothills, skillfully dodging the football sized
rocks, and trying to stay upright on a path 18’ wide, I started to fall. This
pathway, really an old hiking trail was cut into the side of the mountain, and
looking up it was over a 1000’ to the top, but looking down, only a few
hundred. And I was about to take the shorter route, the one to the bottom, past
the cactus and the rocks. My bike started to fall to the left, and I cried out
“Jesus save me!” and I suddenly was upright, and back on the course safely. My
prayer had been answered, in a way I never would have thought, and when we
stopped to talk about my near crash, Gerald burst out “did you see that, did you
see that? You went over and it was like a big hand reached out and grabbed you
and set you back on the trail.” He described exactly what I had felt, I felt
the hand of God set me upright, and although many thought us crazy, they knew
the trail, my riding skills, and what would have happened if I had fallen. But
my first response was to call out to Jesus, before I could physically react, my
spirit intervened. Some may call it an angelic visitation, all I know was I had
lost my balance, and if not for the grace of God would be dead or mangled.
Prayer can be many things, but also first aid. The first rule not
panicking in a panic situation, I didn’t even have time for that. But my heart
cried out and God heard, who was never far away, riding the trails of trials
with me. No long dissertation, or supplication, sometimes one word prayers are
the best, “HELP!” and the answer is there when you need it. Faster than we can
stop to listen, God knows what we need before we need it, and already has the
solution in progress. Paul tells us to “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I
say rejoice!” which he does many times in Philipians. But many of our brethren
don’t and sadly Christians have become characterized as long faced, pious,
suffering, fun robbing, rule imposing religious fanatics. When the truth is we
have fun, and we should. Blessings means happiness, would you want to serve a
God of displeasure? Who you could never please? Does your witness tell of the
love of Christ, or of the laws of Moses? The first church of the Thou Shalt
Nots?
Rather than become hermits or live secluded in monasteries, we are to get
out among the people. Not to hide from the world, not to cross over like the
priests did in the parable of the Good Samaritan, but to engage in daily life.
Not avoid it. Not to hide within the church, but to get out and share the love
of Christ by being there. Caring and sharing, riding and sometimes falling.
Your greatest testimonies come from the greatest trials, which come
unexpectedly. We need to be in tune with the spirit, and even when we are not,
he never loses touch with us. He was ready to catch me when I was falling, he
is ready to minister to your needs today. Who you gonna call?
The best ministerial tool, the one that says more about Jesus than your
quoting scripture, is how you handle the trials. Who do they see in charge, you
or God? This invisible servant, the holy spirit is evident in believer’s lives,
and has been for 2000 years. Is it in yours? My experience in falling is
nothing new, man fell first in the Garden and needed to be righted by the hand
of God. Today show the hand of God by extending yours in love, no matter the
situation. An open hand will show the scars of Jesus open hand, where the nails
penetrated. With a clenched fist you cannot see them....and we miss out. Still
grumbling, griping, grousing, and being grouchy? Those are your choices, but
you can rejoice today and enjoy the life that Jesus Christ has granted you.
Rejoice in him daily, and again I say rejoice. And sharing your testimony is a
great way. For we are saved by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our
testimony. So go tell someone today about Jesus in your life. How he saved
you, and how he changed your life. And still does. While riding, driving,
bench racing, or working on your ride, I still find the best prayer for
immediate assistance is one word “HELP!” Followed by rejoicing, either while
waiting or resting. Rejoice in the Lord always, and be glad that his hand is
always upon you. Trials and trails, Jesus loves me, this I know. The best first
aid kit to have along.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot,com