Someone wiser than me confessed once the best place to look at the future
is yesterday. Profound, but simple. As we look back much easier than we look
ahead. The future events often seen more clearly looking back then looking
ahead. And Jesse, a fellow BMW rider, he on an R60/5, reminds me of that
truth. Jesse was what we used to refer to as “good people.” You met, you were
friends, and life went on. You fit in with his friends, and he with yours.
With both of us meeting along the side of I-25 south of Denver at a rest stop.
I was in my 1973 Chevy van heading to California by myself, with four weeks off
from work, two paid, two on me. I was eating and looking at maps, my first long
trip besides Florida, and my R90S was in my bedroom upstairs back at my parents
house in Jersey. So when a BMW pulled in, we were a much tighter group then, I
went over, a bond based on BMW was formed, and we sat in my van and got high.
Jesse was one of those long haired hippies left over from the sixties, just
ending his seven year quest to get a four year degree. An anti-hero type, we
all respected. But he was finding the world a bit harsher than the free
thinking and loose sex and drugs of college life, and was setting out to teach
on an Indian reservation, much like the one in Easy Rider. Or in my eyes more
like the school in Billy Jack where the hippies and the establishment would
clash. He was excited about his new career, and anxious to get to Taos, where
ironically Dennis Hopper of Easy Rider fame had been mayor. A tough town where
vigilante law still was evident, and racial prejudices were alive and not so
well. That was where Jesse was going, and I kind of envied him. More for being
on his bike, but of having it all together. Such was the mindset before I was
saved....
For within a few weeks I would come to know Jesus and be saved, and four
months later move to Albuquerque. Looking back at my future it was an exciting
time, and I got a job selling motorcycles at Motorsport, BMW, Suzuki, and
Triumph. I did OK, and met many people from all around New Mexico, when one day
in walked Jesse. We both embraced, never thinking we would ever meet again, and
particularly in Albuquerque. We had motorcycles and BMW’s in common, and Jesse
was well known at the shop. They thought it was cool how we knew each other,
both of us settling into our new life, and we went to lunch. He shared how
excited he was and how he was making a difference on the rez. And then he
wanted to get high, and I refused. And told him why. Less than a year later,
less than a year after Jesus had changed my heart and life, my past was before
me and I could share how Jesus changed me. Somehow without being stoned our
relationship was different, still friends, but the difference between dreams and
reality had changed us. While the difference between sin and salvation had
changed me. I didn’t want or need drugs any more, I found my comfort in
Christ. But Jesse listened, we parted, and every time I see a blue BMW toaster
model, I think of him. I wonder if my seeds and testimony made an impact?
Still friends, but Jesse still searching, I had found all I needed in Jesus.
And so much more I never knew I needed too.
God knew all along how our paths would cross, and cross again. How some
would be victors, while some would be victims. But how he still loved us while
we were sinners. How in my salvation he didn’t love me any more than when I was
lost, or any more than Jesse. We were both lost souls who needed Jesus, I had
heard the spirit calling me, I hope Jesse has. God has allowed me to look back
at the future he once gave me, and see how he took me through the highs the
lows, the good and bad times, and how he is still with me today. I often get
asked “would you change anything?” and I quickly answer “no.” I am content in
where I am and how God got me there. He knew best and still knows best. I can
see how in my shameful past he saved me both physically and emotionally, how
many times I could have been dead or worse, and how his had protected me. It is
in looking back at my future I am secure in looking forward to my future. You
see there are no chance meetings, and too often we only see God in them
afterwards. But each time Jesse and I would say “see ya down the road,” it was
like we would meet again, we just didn’t know how. Or when. Or where.
So to those who aren’t saved and I meet, I say “see ya down the road,”
which I hope is heaven. We aren’t all there yet, and in God’s wisdom and
patience he waited 21 years for me. Some are quicker, some slower. Some hear
and obey, some hear and deny. Some wait, which is the same as saying no. But
God is calling each of us to repent and seek his son for forgiveness. To be
saved. Do you look forward to today, knowing Christ is with you, or are you
still worrying, unsure of the future. Are you saved but still worrying, not
seeing Jesus as Lord, but safe in being saved and heaven upon death? Are you
still waiting for that chance meeting with God or has it happened yet? If a
Jesse walked back into your life, would they see a difference?
Be encouraged you words mean something. Jesse could see I was sincere,
that I had changed. And in more ways than words can describe. I listened to
his story because we were friends and I cared. And he did the same. Do you
share Jesus the same way, can they see you care? Or are you just out
witnessing? Does your testimony meet your lifestyle? If we looked back at your
future, what would it say about you? What would it say about your tomorrow?
Some are still living the experiment they call life, are you still experimenting
with your future without Jesus? Fallen away, look back to when you first met
Jesus, you will be welcomed back. Still not sure, try him out today, it may be
the day of your salvation. Or the day of your death. You can plan for your
future now by accepting Christ as your savior, and live knowing that someday you
will enjoy heaven. Or deny him and be scared that you are facing hell. Death
is still 100% in everybody’s neighborhood. Rider or not.
We never know who we will meet, Jesus does. He has prepared the place and
time in his love for us. I never expected to meet Jesus on my trip, or Jesse
again a year later. But God had me ready for both, and all in between, and for
tomorrow, too. We are just messengers with a message of good news, the gospel
in Jesus Christ. Share him daily, and when needed, use words. These things
shall follow them that believe. What did your future look like? “See ya down
the road...” knowing the best days are still ahead. In Christ.
Oh, and by the way, Billy Jack rode a Triumph.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com