In between having two BMW’s totaled from underneath me, a 1972 R60/5 and a
new with only 400 miles R90/6, I had to get around somehow. Among other things
my left wrist was broken in a few places, so It made pulling in a clutch
difficult, also with a shoulder separated and a broken collarbone, I went with
the doctor on this one and no riding. Having only motorcycles, if I wanted to
get around I learned to hitchhike, which 40 years ago was an accepted way of
travel in South Florida. And I actually got pretty good at it, it seems there
is a way or style to get picked up, and once mastering it, which I never did in
the few short months, but got good enough I could get a ride pretty easily. But
as with anything free, or any handout, you took what was offered, and it wasn’t
always what you wanted. Besides some weirdoes, you didn’t necessarily get door
to door service, and I learned where to be dropped to best get my next ride.
Like some ride bus routes, we hitch hiked that way, and I never had a bad time,
bad ride, or bad experience. Some actually turned out pretty good, but you also
learned to be a quick character study, and to learn to pass on some. You asked
first “how far you going,” and if you felt like they were a bad choice, turned
the down. Which I am sure worked in reverse, when I was asked first “how far
you going?”
But times and people have changed, and hitching a ride is not what it used
to be. Only in an emergency would I consider it anymore, and with cell phones,
you really don’t need to, call a taxi or Uber. But yet nothing beat free when
broke, or broken as I was, which only made the healing time drag on. I have
picked up hitch hikers in my time, but since I ride most of the time, I get a
thumbs up from them and a free pass. But one night, in desperation, his, not
mine, I gave a guy a ride. On I-80 in western Pennsylvania, it is barren, and
getting gas on my way to Ohio, this guy approached me. It was pouring, he
needed to get where I was headed, and was willing to ride without rain gear. At
least to the next stop, which came none to soon for him, and for me also. He
was soaked, but further down the road, I had picked up someone who didn’t know
to ride. Which is dangerous, and I couldn’t wait to get rid of him. Fro my own
selfish reasons....
For some seeking God is like hitch hiking, you take your chances with what
comes along. Too many cults out to get you for their own good, to misdirect you
and mislead. How many times was I invited to a I Ching meeting, a so-called
Bible study, or a wealth building club draped around religion. Only to find
myself short of where I needed to be or wanted to go. Some wanted to add rules
to my life to control me. Some wanted to take advantage of my money, via dues
in the name of giving. Anytime I accepted an invitation, I was at their mercy
to go where they were taking me. Finding out that all that come in the name of
Lord are not of the Lord. At least the Jesus the Bible speaks of....
1 John tells of no one abiding in Jesus Christ sins anymore. But when we
do we have an advocate in him when we confess our iniquities. But in him, we
won’t want to, because we are guided by his spirit. That our life in inter
twined with his in the spirit. Yet for the wolfs seeking whom they may devour,
twisted scripture can lead to disaster. Like getting in a car you know you
shouldn’t, you can be taken for a ride. But abiding in Christ works two ways,
his spirit comes to live in us, and we come to live in him. Our lives are
intertwined like vines, not being able to tell where one starts and the other
ends. Both clinging to each other, but seeking from Jesus the strength we need,
the love we need, and the forgiveness we desire. Sheep who need a shepherd, a
person needing a ride, but with someone they can trust. When we are picked up
hitching, both parties have an obligation, the hitcher to respect the driver,
the driver to do what he says he will do. Too often the signals get mixed, and
never to our advantage. In the spirit, the signal is clear, the choice is
always ours, and forgiveness is provided for any wrong doing. But the choice is
ours, do we get in the car or not? Do we stop to pick up the hitcher? Or are
you talked into it like I was that rainy night? Jesus never forces himself upon
you.....do you force him on others?
Abiding in Christ frees us from the bondage of sin, and from being sinned
against. We can make better decisions when we walk continuously with Christ,
which abiding is. Continually, continuous. Always, all the time. Like right
now. Living in him frees us from the bondage of sin right now, so we can live
godly lives. Looking back, I was a fair target for the wolf type looking for
whom it might kill. They go after the weakest ones in the pack, and I was
damaged. I was at risk, and vulnerable. God watched over me even though I
didn’t know it or wasn’t saved yet, that is his love. But the choice to abide
in him was mine and always will be. So beware of those who appear as sheep but
inside are ravenous wolves. The devil is out to seek and destroy, hitching on
wherever he can, offering a ride, but not the one you want or need. Say no to
the cults, to a religion that isn’t all about Jesus, that denies his deity.
They may appear friendly, but are out to get you. God has given us his spirit
to discern, for in this life you will have trials and tribulation. By abiding
in Christ you will know what to do, and who to do it with. Long before you ask
or know, he has provided the way. Jesus is the way, anything else is a detour
meant to destroy. Jesus looks out for us, are we out looking for him?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com