You may not have realized it, but before you learned to walk, other than
being carried by your parents, you got around on wheels. We were too young to
remember, but seeing kids today in walkers, chairs with wheels, it was our first
ride. Our first exposure to getting where we wanted to go-on wheels. We also
travelled in style in a stroller, how many’s first trip to Disneyland was in
one? So wheels start at an early age. Then comes your first three wheeler,
your first as you will see later. Then soon it is two wheels with training
wheels, then without, and finally you are riding a two wheeler, a real bicycle.
Suddenly you find you are a big wheel, better than the Big Wheel you were
riding. Two wheels is better than three.
Then it is bigger bikes, maybe an English racer, a Sting Ray, and as you
get older your tastes change, as does your riding style. Then some neighbor kid
gets a go kart, then a mini bike and you are hooked after one ride. Maybe a
small dirt bike follows, then a bigger one, and soon you are of driving age.
With license and helmet in hand, you buy your first street bike, and the world
becomes much smaller, as it takes longer to reach the horizon, and you ride some
more. Bigger bikes, more horsepower, faster and quicker follow, and soon the
mandatory car is left to secondary duty, rain or trips to the store. Wheels
have played a large role in your life without you even knowing it, now you can
go where you want, when you want, how you want, and how fast you want, all
without supervision. And then the cycles of life begin to change...
Smaller bikes, no need to be the fastest any more, enter your life. Month
long rides across time zones become weekly, than weekend jaunts. You start
making excuses for the weather, either too hot or too cold, and begin taking the
car more. Without knowing it. A kid on a new motorcycle pulls up nest to you
at a light, and you think “that used to be me.” And as he pulls away, you
follow, maybe I need to ride more, but the excuses begin, or continue. Soon the
SUV you have avoided all your life looks good, comfort over speed, and maybe
they aren’t quite the cage you used to think they were. And the weeks and
months pass without riding, and soon you do the unthinkable, you sell your
motorcycle. Some have gone the trike route, but you have done your time, that
is no way to quit, either you ride or you don’t. And you don’t anymore. Soon
an exercise bike is found sitting in your den, replacing your favorite TV chair,
the only cardio you get, riding and getting nowhere. The kids are gone, with
their own families, and you baby sit the grandkids, who come over in a walker,
the older ones on a Big Wheel. And as they get older and the bikes bigger, you
too now are in a walker because you must be, the walk to the kitchen at half
time starts at the two minute warning. Soon a wheelchair will appear, and you
have come full cycle, from stroller to motorcycle, from dependence to
independence, and back again. The cycles of life have become more than the
cycles of our dreams, if only there was or is some way to warn the young, to
tell them of what is coming, but will they listen? Did you? Would you have?
Given one wish, for one more time in your life, what would it be? One final
ride? And like everyone else, the final ride will be a hearse.
Growing up we look ahead, and as we get older we look back. Too often we
fail to enjoy today, planning or worrying about tomorrow. Someday, that day
when all will be what I want seems farther away, and today, well today we just
don’t enjoy. When Jesus tells us to come to him as the children do, they are
seeking more from life, they still desire, they still dream. Their hearts and
minds are open, they still desire a better way, they haven’t become bitter and
confused with life. They trust, because they haven’t experienced mistrust, and
they take Jesus at his word. They may not know all the ins and outs, may not
have memorized John 3:16, or even know about the cross, but they know Jesus is
what is missing. The spirit bears witness to them, they are still seeking and
will find all they need and desire in him. The cycles of life have not worn
them down yet, and they come eager and expecting. Just like we did when we were
young. Before the world wore us down and out. Jesus warns “do not prohibit the
children from coming to me,” and fail to see we are all like children who have
gone astray, and need a way back. He is the way. We need someone who we can
trust, he is truth. We are seeking more from life, and he is is life. He is
the escape route from being led around, being taken where we don’t want to go,
by people who just don’t care.
If you live long enough you will experience all the life cycles above, but
you don’t have to experience them alone. From your first walker to your last,
the spirit is calling to you. That voice in the helmet at 100 mph is him
guiding you. That kid wanting his first mini bike ride is him telling you to
get out and experience life. Even in a car, he is with you, for he never will
leave you, nor forsake you. We don’t need to welcome him back, it is him who
welcomes us back, for we turn and go our own way. Learning forgiveness and
mercy, and growing in grace. So to kids of all ages....as Claude Kirschner used
to say,
Today can be the day you start living. We are all born into sin, we don’t
have to die that way. We may all share a common birth, and a final ride, but
the rides along the way have input from us. We all will go through different
cycles in life and of life, looking back it will be more important that we rode
as opposed to what we rode. But who we follow, who we believe, and who we say
Jesus is makes all the difference. What memories you share from the seat you
occupy will tell of the testimonies of Jesus Christ in your life. And have you
always looking ahead to heaven, not back on how it used to be. Kids look
forward to many things, what things do you look forward to? Or is it a who you
are looking forward to? Enjoy the day, for tomorrow has enough problems of its
own. Make everyday count, make it with Jesus. Some will spiritually be in a
walker,while others get out and ride with him. Some will never fall off the
bike because they never get on one, some will fall off and get back on. You
will sin and sin again, but only in Christ will you be forgiven. Make sure you
are saved before leaving the house today. Be ready for the ride of your life,
and to kids of all ages. The show of life is just beginning, remember the
opening scene from Then Came Bronson, “where you going?” “Taking a trip.”
“Where?” “Wherever I end up.” “Boy I wish I was you.” Bronson’s final words
before the Sporty takes off, “well, hang in there.” And I know where I will
end up, which makes the trip all worthwhile.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com