If you only travel in the constantly monitored confines of a car, you won’t
get what I am about to share. But for those who ride, you can relate and
reflect. We dress in layers when riding, some early mornings are cool enough
for a jacket, and by 9am, a breakfast stop refreshes us and we take it off.
Later as the day warms up, the sweatshirt comes off, and we enjoy t shirt
riding, and experience even the slightest changes in temp due to elevation or
going from ocean to inland. And how refreshing each change can be. And how at
night a similar process occurs, and last night I was reminded of that. Earlier
in the day it had been 100 degrees, and only 8 hours later when getting ready to
leave friends by the coast, my helmet was wet from the marine layer that was
settling in. And a coolness, not quite cold invigorated me. For about 15
minutes I wish I had a sweatshirt, but soon the cool air felt good, and I began
to miss it as I headed inland. By the time I got home 30 minutes later, it was
warm, and sitting in the house many would have turned on the AC, we found the
porch with a breeze adequate. But riding at night always gives a different
perspective, the buildings that during the day are filled, and now dark and
empty. Others are less visible, and so are we, and a privacy among traffic sets
in, and as the temp changes, you exercise all your senses, along with the
spirit. There is something about summer night rides that I can’t quite put into
words, and even when riding in the country with less people, there are more
critters to look out for, giving the ride a new sense of paying attention. But
starlit skies, add a full moon, and in a car you now know why we call them
cages. Set the cruise, adjust the AC, put in a CD, and locked in privacy you
are really locked in a cage. Ever wonder why a dog puts its head out the
window, what does he know you don’t? Or that we do?
Now no one likes to be uncomfortable, just ask Goldilocks or the thousands
like her. They live a homogenized life, where anything different is not a
challenge but a threat, and don’t upset their world if you want them to turn
into a bear. Dress alike, act alike, and drive your SUV alike, looking for that
individuality by being just like others. If your idea of a hot day is rushing
from the mall exit to your car and having to wait 30 seconds for the AC to kick
in, you probably don’t ride. If you pay $100 to style your hair that looks just
like my helmet head, you don’t get it. And if you wear faded denim to look cool
at $100/pair, I have some worn out Wranglers that I paid $15 for. And any biker
already knows what he could do with all the money you waste on yourself, we’d go
for a ride! But maybe he next example helps you understand us better, a not
about riding scenario. My friend Pastor Doug was telling of his trip to
Israel. Sorta boring, then he showed a map. Putting it in perspective to other
places. Then he showed some pictures of cities, getting better, but when he
showed pictures of himself there, then it became real. Personal. We could
relate to it, we knew Doug and he was in the pictures. Ask yourself, would you
rather look at the pictures, be taking the pictures or be in them? Maybe you
need a summer’s evening ride to help you decide....
So many talk about the freedom in Christ you can have from religion, then
live religious lives. The same church, same seat even for years. A ministry
trip is helping the youth pack for a trip, while you stay at home. You see,
some are content with the knowledge of Jesus, of studying to find themselves
approved, but never knowing the man behind the scriptures. They never
experience him, but based on knowledge think that is all there is. And then
catastrophe strikes, and quoting scriptures doesn’t work, for it is only a one
way relationship, they never knew the man. They may have walked where he did in
Israel, but never walked with him anywhere. The freedom found in getting
personal has escaped them, sadly by choice, for we are all confronted by the
spirit, and some live in a cocoon like existence, isolated from the one who
gives them life, and it more abundantly. A simple recommendation of a summer
eves ride creating havoc, their tombstones reading “we never lived that way
before,” and being dead but still inhabiting a living body. Just like my
cardiologist told me, he can keep me functioning, but he cannot keep me
alive.
So maybe it is time to start removing the insulating layers and go for a
ride with Jesus. Feel the wind of the spirit in your face, look up at the stars
he created and put in place. Listen to his voice rather than the radio, and
instead of learning about him, experience Jesus first hand. And when the road
gets rough, you know who to hang onto, and just not a scriptural quote. For
without the spirit they are just words, for even Satan quotes or misquotes
scripture, and you may be no better. Saved but not living, just functioning.
You need the spirit to give you life....to be in the picture, to live a life in
Christ, not just in church. Not just about him.
There is nothing like fresh air, maybe your hound or purse rat knows more
than you do. Ask him what 2 minus two equals and he’ll say nothing. Without
thinking, can you? Maybe a ride tonight out of the city, not far but looking up
at the stars is in order. Turn off the AC, silence the radio, and turn off the
phone. Roll down the windows, and take in the fresh air. And see Jesus without
all the artificial enhancements. Or stumbling blocks. You can either walk
where Jesus did or walk with him. Or really be daring and take a ride on a
motorcycle. Come home with a badge of honor of helmet head, your cheeks flushed
from the wind, and feeling invigorated. Your senses heightened. Or spend an
hour getting ready for church...personally I rather be riding my motorcycle
spending time with God then sitting in church thinking about riding. Some
enchanted evening, you may meet a stranger...and find you know all about him,
and what a joy it is to finally meet him. Face to face. Personally. Can you
say that about your walk with Christ? I can....maybe there is more to Jesus
than just religion...take a ride and find out. And feel the romance in the
air....or you can listen to what the radio decides to play....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com