My wife loves to take pictures. And on our recent cross country trip took
over 6500, I still haven’t been able to look at them all. But those I did look
at, gave me a different perspective of our ride, most were taken from the buddy
seat of our Tiger, and although she was less than 6 inches behind, there were
times we were in different places at the same time. And I began to see the trip
through her eyes, giving it a new dimension. Even to the point that I had to
ask “where’s that?” many times, as I couldn’t identify the place at first.
While I had my eyes on the road, she had her eyes on the ride....and no, I am
not willing to change places with her.
But she saw many things I may have only glanced at, and through her lens it
added much to the trip. With a few items worthy of note. She was in very few
of the pictures, not a selfie type, the few she was in I took, so it was where
we stopped, and I took them or when we asked for help, like the Park Ranger on
Trail Ridge Road. Proving I too was on the ride along with her. Or was it her
with me? But this is not our first road trip, and not her first picture taking
extravaganza. And I insist of including pictures of the motorcycle we are
riding, for two reasons. One, I like pictures of my motorcycles in the places
we travel, and secondly, to date the pictures. Without putting a date on them,
just by looking at the motorcycle were on I can tell the date and year. If a
red and white FJ1100 is present, it is from 1986-1996, a red Triumph Sprint, I
know 2003-2006, but early 2006, as the Tiger 955 replaced it and a Sprint RS in
March. So photos taken from 2006-2016, it sets the date, and still not retired
at over 48 states and 103,000 miles ridden. Last year was the white Tiger, and
for a while now our Tiger 800. With over 8000 miles in four short months. So
whenever anyone asks “what year?” or my mind begins to fade, one look at the
motorcycle in the picture can help date them. Motorcycle dating you might call
it, and it works for me, with only one condition, you need to get out and ride
to be in the picture! No ride, no pictures, no need for dates. So get out and
ride, and start your memory book today.
How many times have you looked at a picture and wished you were there? How
many times after hearing about a trip do you wish you could take one? But years
later only have the box of excuses that go with your lack of adventure. Pick a
topic, money, job, family, no bike to ride, they are all excuses, for we have
travelled in all those cases, and still do. So while some look at our trip
pics, and while my wife takes them, we ride, and are in them. Looking back
encourages us to look ahead, and the trip planning mode of my mind is always on
full. Any article, TV show, or ad, makes me want to ride, and when shown
pictures of someone there I know, only encourages me more. I could care less
about the selfie, but my bike needs to be included in those pictures somewhere,
and the only way it is going to get in them is if I am on it. And the solution
is simple....go riding!
Throughout the Bible God gives us descriptions of people on the road. From
Abraham, to Jonah, to Gideon, to Jesus, and to Paul, these men didn’t sit still,
they got out and rode. They found life on the road, and excitement there. For
the spirit of God was with them, and some were called to fight battles like
Gideon, some were to evangelize like Jonah. Some took the road to the cross for
our salvation, and Paul took to the road to spread the gospel. If they had a
scrapbook, imagine what each one would hold. “See, those guys really were fat
and overweight and drank like dogs. It was God who provided the victory.” “I
remember that bush, it sure was hot that day.” “Oh yes, the street called
Straight, what a precious memory, when my eyes were opened....” and finally a
picture of an empty cross, then an empty tomb. “You see I am not there as I
said, for I have been resurrected, so you can be also.” A picture that if he
was in would not hold the same Biblical truths, the only question we need to ask
is “where am I in that picture?” Show me another of 99 and if I’m missing, I
know Jesus is out looking for me. So many pictures of Jesus in my mind’s eye,
and in the spirit they come alive in the Bible. And I see the ride through the
eyes of Jesus, as opposed to my narrow vision. God calls them testimonies, how
many trips has he taken with you? Do you share them with others as God asks?
Or is your relationship hidden from the public? How do you date your
life?
The work of God is to open our eyes to the endless possibilities of a life
in Christ. For some it may be weeks on the road. For some the memories of
leaving the hospital healed because of him are precious. Some are locked down,
but have an audience within the four walls, where walls of stone cannot contain
the spirit of the Lord. Take some time today and share some photos via your
testimony, show others who and how you are in Christ. Jesus is the ride we all
need to escape death, and make it to heaven. The only road, and I am glad I am
on it.
But sorry, no photos, for eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor mind
imagined the things of the kingdom. God has a private trip reserved just for
you, and when he is in the picture, no photo would ever do them justice. And
there are no words to describe an infinite God. And no matter what you think
heaven to be, it will be even better. Now are you along for the ride? Can you
make the trip?
Motorcycle dating is more than taking someone out on a date. It reveals in
my life where and when, who and how, and Jesus is always the why. And the who.
The when and how. No wonder John tells us that if all the stories were told
about him no library could hold them. Make sure you have a place on your shelf
for him, he has one for you on his in heaven. Even God took a rest after
creating the heavens and the earth, just to look at his work and reflect. And
see where someday you and I would enter into it. See Jesus though your own
eyes, not someone elses. And see why God had to rest after creation, and why we
look forward to heaven. One day Paul was in the spirit and saw heaven....and
only in the spirit will we ever enter.
She really took 6500 hundred pictures? Yes, and each one tells a story,
what’s yours?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com