“You are cruising down the highway at an indicated 75mph. On the side of
the road ahead is a white car, and as you pass, the man leaning against it nods
to you. The car is low, and you take note. Less than 45 seconds later your car
shakes as the same white car rushes past you, shaking you as it passes. Within
another 10 seconds, it is gone, and you wonder, what just happened, what kind of
car was that? What was that, it was so quick? Gentlemen, that is speed.” With
apologies to Ken W. Purdy, the dean of all automotive writers, there is fast,
and then there is fast. George Carlin one remarked “anyone slower than you is
an idiot, anyone faster than you is a maniac.” While talking with a new rider
the other day, he was impressed, but also wary of those who do wheelies and
stoppies, claiming they were a safety nuisance, until I remarked, “no, you’re
just jealous,” and he agreed, he wishes he could ride so well. So do I. But as
in speed, wheelies, stoppies, or driving/riding in general, there is always
someone faster, someone better. And for awhile our egos will burst, torn or
shattered, but we will get over it. Maybe if we realize the person getting the
best of us we can relate to a quote made by an Olympic competitor about Bob
Beamon, who set the new long jump record of over 29’, almost 4’ longer than the
old record, “the rest of us are all children.”
I was riding with friends on a Triumph Storm, dragging pegs and wearing off
the feelers Saturday morning, when a group of Ducatis, and BMW S1000R’s passed
me in a tight curve. I was fast, they were faster, and my first thought was
“they’re nuts,” and they were, but soon it turned to admiration, I wish I could
ride that well. Or have no fear, or at least the confidence to do it. But we
each have our limits, and my goal of returning home safe after each ride is a
strong influence on my riding. Some may think other wise, to them I am that
white car on the side of the road, to me, I don’t ride any faster than I enjoy.
For if riding isn’t fun, I rather do something else. Wouldn’t you?
A group of us were talking one day, when a woman came up and accused us of
judging her. Now no one likes to be judged, and Christians are real good at
it. But we weren’t, and so I asked her “why is it only someone caught in sin
accuses someone of judgment? And didn’t you just judge me by your accusation?”
After a few sentences of futile rebuttal, she agreed, and we told her we were
not judging anyone. To some what appears to be criticism is really just
describing them. But yet we all seem to compare ourselves to someone or
something, to ease the pain or realize how far we have to grow. Paul, the
apostle one, had to deal with this, as we do, and his take is recorded in
scripture. His facts vs. our opinions, maybe we need to take note of his
writings, and follow them, after all they were inspired and endorsed by God.
No matter where we are in Christ, newbie or seasoned citizen, we set out
own boundaries and sets of standards. Paul tells us that “to gain Christ is
everything,” and it is, but not to add him to our list of collectibles. When
Jesus truly comes into our lives, we start to lay aside the things of the world,
but some things we still caress as much as we embrace him. Moses had his staff
to lean on, and only after God removed it did he have someone rather than
something to lean on. We need to see everything as garbage, as things not
worthy of worship when we come to Christ. God wants us to surrender all things
in our lives to him, and let him be truly Lord of our lives. When he said he
considered everything loss compared to Jesus Christ it was a process of a
relationship building that brought him to that point. His life was changed, and
he was saved on the road to Damascus, it was when he turned over more of his
life to God that the growth took place. When the things in your life become
unimportant, or you want to rid yourself of them, then you truly to enjoy what
Paul describes as “the surpassing worth of Jesus Christ.” When you truly let
him be Lord, and shed the skin of a double minded man. And find true freedom in
the spirit that he has given us.
When Paul started to shed those things, he began to see the endless love
that God had for him, and wanted nothing to stand between him and God. We call
it sin, and it can be subtle, but still sin. When he considered his possessions
dirty rags compared to what Christ had for him, when his values were based on
Jesus rather than things, he saw the greatness of God first hand, not through
the dark mirror we do. Jesus told us we cannot serve two masters, it will end in
ruin, at best frustration. You cannot hold on to both, it is either one or the
other, and saying yes to both is saying no to Jesus. Do you call him Lord but
yet not follow him? And when we do finally surrender all, we find no adequate
words to describe it. How do you describe an infinite God using finite
words?
Maybe that explains your confusion, your ineffective witness, your
unhappiness. Some things or someone? Tough choices, only one will save your
soul, the other leads it to destruction. Records are meant to be broken, there
will always be someone faster, quicker, or have more money. Only in Christ will
you exercise your true potential, and have everything you want or need. For he
who dies with the most toys still dies. This life is just a warm up for
eternity, a bracket race, where when you eliminate all but Jesus, you win the
race. You rise above the bar set, and you are set free. Salvation is a one
time process, life goes on forever. And until heaven calls, we will continue to
deteriorate. But we can grow in Christ, in his love, by his spirit. Why is it
only people on the way down claim “it’s all gonna burn anyway,” when we can
choose Jesus over things, and he will guide us? What seems like down will
really lift us up, and he will give us the desires of our heart. And when he is
that desire, we can experience what Paul did, the promises of knowing it is all
about Jesus. And things will take a proper place in our lives. Your life will
tell us where Jesus in in it long before you can perjure yourself using
words.
Every day like every ride will be different, so go and enjoy today. Give
the day to Jesus, and let him plan, not us. And when trouble comes knocking at
the door, and you see it is the devil, just turn to Jesus and say “it’s for
you.” For truly we can do all things in Christ who gives us strength, and a
double minded man is unstable in all his ways. No matter how fast he can ride.
For there is always a white car parked somewhere just waiting for you. For
there is horsepower, and then there is power.....’'
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com