We get very excited at the beginning of a ride, we ride a little faster, a
little farther, and can’t wait to get on the road. When Clemenza, our American
Bulldog leaves on a walk, she is full of energy, straining at the leash, but
after turning around and heading back, she walks slower, and with less energy.
She knows the trip will soon end, and she doesn’t want it to. Many of us ride
like that, or live like that, but the end of things is just as normal as the
beginning, and if we didn’t end one thing, we may not be able to start the
next. How many bikes have you wished you never sold, until after you sold it
and wanted it back? But after a few miles the new one begins to take its place,
but still there will be times you miss the old one. And the time is here, I
think, for my Suzuki to go to a new home, a time for someone else to enjoy it,
and to share it with a new group of enthusiasts. And when I had left it with
Mickey, I told him ask around, it’s time. But after riding it home yesterday,
with some bursts over 100, I’m not so sure. And the guy who talked with me
about old bikes he owned when getting gas, maybe my time wasn’t over with it
yet. My dream of finding one and riding it home like Tom did with his Packard
had come true, I had been able to show it off, take it on trips, but.....the
excuses go on. So for right now it is for sale, maybe, to the right owner. To
someone who will appreciate it for what it is. Some decisions are harder than
others, and never make one on a high or low emotion. Buy for love, sell for
money goes an old rule, but again I am reminded that rules can be broken. But
love never should be. So the bike is for sale, to the right buyer. Never mind
the bike, beware of the owner.
We are told how seasons come and seasons go, last week it was almost 90
here, yesterday was 65. After all it is late fall, and almost 4 months until
spring for many. But with each changing season we see new beginnings, like the
rides we take, or the walks of Clemenza. Tough decisions need to be made, and I
again learned the hows and whys of it yesterday. After an unbiased reporter,
still bashing on Trump because he won and they lost, they commented “how can he
be trusted because it took him three campaign managers to win?” As if there was
discord in his campaign. But a smarter man answered, “you missed the brilliance
of his decision. The first got him going, another took over and took him where
the other couldn’t, and finally the third got him to victory.” It wasn’t based
on personalities, it was based on what it takes to win, to use all your
resources, and to achieve your goal. Successful people know these things, and
like the Bible tells us about Christians, “these things shall follow those that
believe.” Again the GS is for sale, I got it this far, it is the next person’s
turn. But who and how to know? I wonder if Tom still has his Packard after all
these years? Or did he face these same dilemmas when it came time for it to
go?
Scripture tells us “Paul planted, Apollos watered, but it was the spirit
that gave us growth.” We cannot do it all, but when exercising God’s wisdom,
walking in his spirit we will do what we are called to do, then turn it over.
Listen to The Beatles, A Day in the Life,” and cut off the last 28 seconds, when
George Martin joined them on a fifth piano, and see the difference. He is only
heard once, but what a difference he makes. Just do what God asks you to do, or
the conductor, and be satisfied. Simple. But is it?
For years I have felt sorrow and some compassion for Moses not entering the
promised land. But God had called him to a specific purpose, to lead, to show
the way, but not be the way. Yet today many Jews still worship him via the
first five books of the Bible he wrote. He represents the law, Jesus represents
the spirit. The law kills, the spirit gives life. It was time for the people
to have a new and more qualified leader, not one to worship. Joshua would lead
them into the promised land, it was his turn now. And God had him ready. Moses
had been the seed thrower, now Joshua was the waterer. But in all things it was
the spirit of the Lord that guided. And just like a smart exec knows when to
change managers, God knew who and when was the best person for the times. It
worked with the Jews and the Promised Land, it worked and works with Jesus, for
at the right time while we were yet sinners he died for us, and it still works
today. Trusting God to lead us and help us make the right decision, and forgive
us and set us on the right path when we don’t. To the victor belong the spoils,
Tom got his Packard, I got my Suzuki, the Jews got Moses and Joshua, the New
Testament gave us Jesus, but in all things, it was the spirit guiding.
And so I am praying about selling the Suzuki. One day yes, the next no.
Unstable, yet not double minded. So today I am going to do right thing, wash it
and detail it. Take it for a ride, its designed purpose. I will be ready if
someone wants it, but I am going to enjoy it while in my possession. The
decision will ultimately be mine, but just as God led me to it, he will give me
the wisdom to know when to sell. He who began a new work in me, will be
faithful to complete it. I gave my life over to Christ, now it is up to him to
deal with it. All the way down to motorcycles.
Do you trust him? Do you know when to quit, but don’t? Past ads have only
gotten me low ballers, or guys who want to bench race about the one they had, or
the one that got away. They are not buyers, but just want but just want to be
part of the conversation. You may only be called to throw seeds, throw them
well. Or to play one note on a song, play it well. Or to get a team into
scoring position, and letting another score. Walter Peyton never scored in the
Super Bowl, but the Fridge did. But Walter scored in life when he gave it all
to Jesus. Touchdowns, jobs, situations,and even motorcycles will come and go
out of your life. When Jesus enters it, you never want to let him go. He is
the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. But with us always, the
right now time in our lives. Enjoy today, no man is promised tomorrow. But you
can have eternity in Christ. May each no bring you closer to a yes in him, and
a deeper trust. Here is an ad you cannot say no to...buried somewhere in the
classifieds of life...
“USED-one old rugged cross, used once by a celebrity. Lots of patina,
unrestored. Original. Make offer, no one will be refused. But be ready to
pickup your own cross after purchase.” An old cross will give you a new
beginning. But only when a new relationship in Jesus comes with it. It isn’t
about the creation, but who created it. Some plant, some water, only one died
on the cross for us. To him be all the glory....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com