In the past six weeks I have ridden over 9000 miles in 13 states with no
mishaps or accidents. I have ridden nine different bikes, including six press
bikes, and had no problems...until last Tuesday night I was getting gas on my
way to teach/pastor at Dustin Arms. I was riding a 2017 Tiger Explorer XCa, the
big new adventure bike with all the bells and whistles when I fell over. I had
put down the side stand, or so I thought, only to find in a millisecond it had
sprung back, and over I went. At the pump. Far away and out of sight of
anyone, with 600 pounds of new bike on me, it only had 85 miles on it. And I
was pinned between the bike and the curb the pump was on and couldn’t move. A
man heard my cries for help, and came over, but then called for more help, “hey
I got a biker down over here and I can’t get him up!” And another man
appeared...As they lifted the bike a little, I could wiggle out, but when I
tried to stand my left leg buckled in pain, like on fire. It felt like I had
pulled a hamstring, something you never want to do, trust me on that. But as
they and another man lifted the bike, I got up all the way, put down the side
stand, and somehow managed to put gas in the bike. I felt nauseous, was
embarrassed, and before pumping the gas looked to see how the bike was, I guess
I wasn’t in too much shock, I had my priorities right, check my ride. The man
who had helped noticed the crash bars had a scratch, noting “well they did their
job,” and only a broken clutch lever was for the worst. After saying thanks to
them too many times, I filled the bike, and then tried to get on it, and the
pain almost buckled me over, again. My left leg was in incredible pain, my ego
bruised, a press bike with only 85 miles damaged, and it was scheduled to go to
a photo shoot later in the week. And what was left of my inner drive was almost
gone, but I was going to Dustin Arms no matter what! And I did, not being able
to use my left leg when I stopped, but the pain was there anyway, and God had
provided a spot for me out front, DA is in downtown San Diego in the Gaslamp
District, and it was the night of the All Star Game. More people than I even
imagined would be there...but God got me there, got me a parking spot, and then
I had one last challenge ahead of me, the steps.
You see Dustin Arms is upstairs in an old building built in 1888, lots of
steps, over 20 of them! But carrying the cookies Theresa made for them in one
hand, and clinging to the railing with the other, and grimacing in pain the
whole way, I made it! And couldn’t wait to sit down, if only I could find a way
that it didn’t hurt. But I taught, God ministered, and we had a great night.
Only my dragging my left leg the rest of the night would ever give away I was
hurt, but God knew, and the ego part, aka pride didn’t show to anyone but him.
Or so I think, as no one has said anything, yet.
When I took the Tiger back, I showed Mick and he waved it off, he could
replace the clutch lever, the scratch was minimal, the photo shoot was actually
an off road ride, so the bike would get scratched anyway, and I picked up
another Tiger and rode home. Repeating the process less the spill for the rest
of the week. Including the limp...OUCH!
Outside of my immediate embarrassment, my first thought was of Dustin Arms
and the people waiting and depending on me, I wasn’t going to let them down! I
kept thinking that If God gave me the chance to minister, then he would provide
me the strength and grace to do it. I didn’t stop to ask anyone, especially my
wife, who would have insisted I stay home and rest. But I was determined, and
God got me there and back, even in pain, and ego bruised, he ministered through
me, and I am glad I was part of it. My ego is healing, and I was reminded by
the holy spirit how I rather be humbled than humiliated. A lot more damage
could have been done to the bike, and my reputation, but God was merciful, I had
screwed up! And I carry on today, still riding, what would you have done?
God presents situations every day that we are not ready for. But in the
spirit we can rise to the occasion, but not by strength, I had none, or by my
power, I was down one limb, but only by God’s spirit. And he didn’t let any of
us down. The Apostle Paul, after denying the spirit and going to Jerusalem, was
faced with a crowd, over 4000 who wanted his blood, just as God had warned.
They thought he was a Moses who had led a group of first century terrorists and
escaped, but after hearing his cultured Greek accent, allowed him to address the
crowd, by his request, the ones who wanted his head! He saw the gospel going
forth, was back in the Spirit, and the fulfillment of prophecy of what would
happen if he went had been fulfilled, but God was not done with him. Despite
his disobedience, Paul had repented, and now was ready for action, to spread the
good news about Jesus.
The tribune had been so impressed with Paul, that he let him speak.
Remember their first thought was they had captured public enemy #1, and when
Paul stepped up to speak to the crowd who wanted his head, with a wave of his
hand they were silenced, and he spoke. A far cry from what had happened to me,
but just as personal, “I can do all things, the things God asks of me, by his
strength.” Struck down but not destroyed, I had done what Jesus asks us to do,
share the gospel in word and deed. All things work together, not just the good
things! Today you may be asked to minister and don’t feel like it, or find you
physically can’t. Maybe even limping to the occasion you feel you can’t, but
where God guides, he provides, and testimonies are made. My falling didn’t take
God by surprise, it sure did me, and a week later I still can’t sit straight.
But God showed me once again that my life is not my own, and when I follow him
in trust, no matter what I have done, he honors me. So I can honor him. All
because I dropped a motorcycle...
By the way I made it up the steps again last night at Dustin Arms, and am
fine riding, just the getting off and on. But I can ride and do anything when
Jesus Christ strengthens me. Know that now before you get stuck under a
motorcycle and have to call for help. God knows the path, that night it
included a fall, not my plan, but his. I was humbled, bruised but not broken,
beaten down but did not lose hope. Persecuted yet we go on, Paul writes. And
then in 1 Corinthians 4 admonishes us to follow his example! To imitate him!
All I can figure is, he never had a motorcycle fall on him!
Yet for like the apostles, we continue to be on display for all the world
to see and hear the gospel...even under a motorcycle! And yes, no animals were
harmed during the production.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com