There is always one guy in your group who is just a bit older, and tells
better jokes, is a better fighter, better kick ball player, and has cooler
things. In our neighborhood it was Joey, and while only 3 years older, that was
a lot in my preteen years. And while the rest of us were busy begging our dads
to buy us the new Schwinn Sting Rays, we usually ended up with JC Higgins from
Sears, or Rollfasts from Jay’s Cycle Shop. Both good bikes, but not the ones
the bigger kids had. But that all changed when Joey got his English racer, just
the name sounded exotic, and with low bars tucked under, a racing seat, and 5
speeds, this this thing looked fast just standing still. And as often as we
were teased to take a ride on it, we were only mere mortals in the bicycle
pecking order. But it was the bike to have, manufactured by Ross, it was red,
and soon became the standard of all that rode bikes in our neighborhood, and
soon in school. But the buy in price of $89.95 was too much for many of our
fathers, so we soldiered on with our older bikes, content until Joey showed up.
I would eventually own a Schwinn Sting Ray, a real one, not some knock off, but
never an English racer. The bike that all others would and will be compared
too. There was just something about that bike....
Again leave it to the older guys bring cool into our mundane lives, and
change all the parameters for fitting in. A few guys in high school rode
motorcycles, we had mini bikes, but no dirt to ride in in Jersey, so street it
was. And the first time I saw the Honda CB350, I fell in love. I had been
sharing a CL77, Honda 305 that belonged to BH, painted blue with a brush, but I
had to have that CB350. And I would, and it would change my life. Midsized,
today considered small or entry level, I rode that sucker everywhere, 6000
miles in les than 5 months. It was the bike that would define all others I
would ever ride, until the Honda 750 hit the scene. Who could resist those 4
pipes? The chrome? The sound and the power? But still in high school, my 350
was big enough, and besides it said Honda on the tank, I was related by family
if nothing else. But soon Kawasaki would upset the riding world again, with the
Z-1, 903 cc’s of power, and a whole new desire was formed. The two stroke Mach
III and Mach IV were fast, the Z-1 was king, and the bike to own. And for
$1875, double the price of my 350, I could have one. If only I had the
money...which in 1979 I did, buying a used 1975, fulfilling the dream, but still
the desire loomed. And drove me on, just like all my other riding friends. It
seemed that the dream was only within riding reach until something new came
along, and the dream of yesterday became the used bike you had trouble trying to
sell the next. But there was always some kid younger than you, maybe not in
your group, but another, whose dream was your old ride. And his ownership would
perpetuate the dream for years. Or until the next dream came along.
So the first time you saw one, and the first time you just had to have one,
was followed by the desire that someday you would have one. Sometimes way out
of reach, but in younger minds where we haven’t learned you can’t always get
what you want, the dream lived on. Posters in the bedroom, worn out pages in
magazines telling us “we had to have one” and parents who were against it, they
provided reality in the midst of our dreams, many of us would tough it out,
persistent that someday, despite all odds, we would have that English racer,
that Honda 750, that Z-1, or whatever else the dreams of our youth kept us up
nights thinking about. All of us would get older, but for some of us growing up
was an option we never bought into. And our garages display that. Still just
one bike behind that which we desire, the dream lives on.
Many in our generation were raised in Sunday school, and when we got older,
left the church. Part of it, reluctantly, and in name only, but the lessons we
learned or were force fed stayed with us. And after all the self inflicted
wounds of life, come back to church. But still looking, knowing church is good,
but not the answer. That thrill that once made us want to ride still dominates,
there has to be more to church than religion, than lessons, than attendance.
And we finally give in to Jesus, the spirit telling us “you need Jesus,” and the
shackles of religion are broken. And the first time you meet him you just know
nothing else will ever do. Where as you were seeking, now you found. Where you
knew something was missing, now you had it. You just had to have Jesus,
religion didn’t cut it, it leaves you empty, and all the lessons of youth now
have answers. In the motorcycling world many are returning, called born again
bikers, returning after 20-25 years, only to find the bikes they once lusted
over are gone, and the replacements offer more than they ever could dream of.
They buy into, but sometimes cannot get over their past, seeking to relive it.
Their 500cc of dream fulfilled now only found among newbies. And soon the bike
is for sale, the thrill is gone, and they leave unfulfilled, playing golf or
tennis. Happens in churches too, we have many coming back, seeking Jesus, and
wanting more from life. Many have come out of drug filled lives, bad marriages,
business failures, and other failures in life. And we hand them a 12 step
program, a set of tapes, classes on Tuesday nights, and send them on retreats.
Not bad things in themselves, but where is the Jesus they are seeking? We tell
them he is personal, than hand them off to something that isn’t. The are
seeking forgiveness and acceptance, and the church lets them down. I have
actually attended churches where sinners are told “you can come back after you
get your act together with God.” Leaving them just sitting on the curb as the
kids on newer bikes ride by. And many times returning to their past.
Jesus loves you as you are, he just doesn’t want to leave you that way.
Just as the new bike or motorcycle would change you, you wanted to be different
leaving the store as from when you entered. Jesus is that difference, and many
old saints are coming back. Finding the Jesus they learned in Sunday school is
real, and loves them. And forgives them. And he is personal, it isn’t a
competition, and you can be the person he wants you to be, yourself. Once you
meet Jesus, you know no one or no thing will ever do, you just have to have
him. And aided by the spirit, you will. So I encourage those of you seeking
but not fitting in, Jesus is still seeking you. He wants to make it personal,
he forgives your past, and better yet he knows it is part of your testimony. He
accepts you...don’t confuse the acts of some churches with Jesus Christ.
You are never too old, too far gone, or too much a sinner for Jesus to love
you. In fact the worse off you are, the more you will change and grow. And
have a testimony to share. He who sinned much was forgiven much, you will be
surprised when you really meet Christ how much. Today many still dream of that
English racer, or Honda 750, ebay is full of dreams for those who can afford
them. Stop dreaming, and give it over to Jesus. Find everything in life you
were missing, and watch as he uses your testimony, and your new life to
influence others. You just may be that older guy in the group with the 10 speed
English racer....and others are waiting to hear about it. Offer them a ride
with Jesus today....remember the first time you just had to have one? Burnouts
on bikes are fun, burnouts in life aren’t.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com