Sometimes it is who you know when buying a new motorcycle. I had met Tom
when breaking down in Salida over a 4th of July weekend, and he mentioned if I
ever sold my Z-1, he wanted it. He owned the Kawasaki store there, and so it
was only natural when the new Kawasaki’s came out that fall, I called him. He
remembered, gave me more than I wanted, he really wanted my Z, and over the
mountain in December we went, snow and all. And I kept that 1981 KZ750 until
1984, when the new Honda Nighthawk 750 was introduced, really they came out in
1983, but I bought a leftover 1983 in 1984. From Gary, who ran Handlebar Cycle
in Durango, giving me the option of either an 83 or 84, with only a $100
difference. But bowing to vanity, I liked the 83 blue one better, we flipped
for another $100, and I won, getting the deal I wanted. But it was knowing
Gary, as he never discounted anything, such was being a small town dealer then.
Until two years later, when Brett and I were killing time looking at bikes at
the Yamaha shop, they offered me a deal on an FJ1100 leftover, I couldn’t pass
up. They couldn’t sell the bike, no one could get it insured, remember those
days of Ninja style bikes being prohibitively expensive to insure, led by GEICO,
who almost lost their license to sell insurance over false claims and illegal
practices? So they discounted the bike heavily, gave me what I paid for the
Nighthawk, think of riding a bike for two years for free, and the FJ1100 was
mine. Which was promptly broken in, putting 6000 miles on it the first week on
a ride to Pennsylvania from New Mexico. Was it the bikes, or was it me? The
string not yet ended.
Fast forward to 1996 in California, where at 79,000 miles I decided I
wanted a new Triumph. Where I meet Lance at Route 66, where he gives me high
retail for the FJ, and I ride out on a new 1996 Trident. A chain of new bike
events all started when I broke down in Salida years earlier, and Tom came to my
aid. one broken bikes leads to a Triumph. Today we call it networking, back
then without emails, voice mails, and doing business face to face, it was making
friendships, and building relationships. Which it has always been, and still is
today, but on different levels. Who hasn’t lied a bit on their Facebook page?
Knowing you will probably never meet most of them on your friend list. Or
joined a dating service and fibbed a bit about income and physical attributes?
Then when coming face to face surprising or being surprised at who you really
meet. Ever buy a bike that way? On Craigslist it sounded too good to be true,
only to find out it was. And the farther the distance between the the two
parties, the more potential for the tales to grow. Of course that would never
happen to you.....so why look for God in the same way?
There is a battlefield for your soul going on right now in the heavenlies.
A battle between God and Satan, in which God will never lose. With us, the
people of earth as its battlefield. We are the soldiers, the battlefield, and
the prize all at once. And it pays to know who you know, you may survive the
battle of the day, but eventually lose the war for your soul. Without Jesus,
without his spirit protecting you and guiding you, you are either a casualty or
one waiting to happen. There are truly battles going on for you with you as the
prize. With only one winner, those who choose Christ. The battles may seem
invisible, or they may be right in front of us, like crime waves, fears, wars,
and terrorism, that affect our innermost being, turning us neurotic, fearful,
and paranoid, reflected in both our individual lives, but affecting families as
well. We all know someone like that, evil chooses no favorites, just those
available.
Simply put, the Bible shows us as a fallen race since Adam, that no matter
how rich, powerful, handsome or talented, all come under the power of Satan.
Making us victims, where we can fall prey to our own understanding, leading to
further defeat. But before you despair, know those in Christ will be
delivered. Salvation being a gift, not negotiable like buying a motorcycle.
There is no discounted salvation, no special deals, no leftover sales. It is a
gift, because it cannot be earned. And it is available to all who call on the
name of Jesus. We can be and are set free in Jesus, but the battles continue.
But you are on the winning team, and even though the battles may be tough, the
victory is that much sweeter. We have overcome death and hell in Jesus Christ.
Left with a full provision of armor to wear in our daily battles. God has
made provision for us to fight and win these battles, but not on our own, or in
our own power. While still on this planet, we will experience battles everyday,
but we can overcome them in Christ. Sadly there will be casualties, in Christ
we are victors. How many of us have come to know Jesus in the midst of a battle
or problem like I met Tom when I was broken down? Setting a pattern, that still
exists today. As I can get my new Triumphs at dealer cost or less. A far cry
from an old 1975 Z-1 with 75,000 miles. To me an old bike I wanted to trade, to
Tom an old survivor he wanted to keep.
Jesus saves, and at today’s prices that is a miracle. Always has been,
always will be. Today can be your day of salvation, a day to start a life of
victory in he midst of turmoil. To stand tall, knowing Jesus has your back,
and all your other sides too. That no fear can possess us, when we are in him.
For he is light, in him is found no darkness. Jesus has broken the power over
Satan in lives and the bondage he holds many under. Today you can walk in a
sinner, and ride out a winner. Paid in full, a gift from God. Just tell ‘em
Jesus sent you, and the deal is done.
But be warned the struggles will go on, your new ride will need maintenance
just like your life does. But you are now equipped, you know the owner, and can
walk right in the front door anytime. We just don’t know that time, but soon is
sooner than we think. Be ready, be prepared. Know Jesus. Who would have ever
thought that one breakdown would lead me to riding factory press bikes for
free?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com