If you started riding less than 40 years ago, names like Triumph, Indian,
Moto Guzzi, and Ducati may be new. Brands of motorcycles that once thrived,
either went to sleep or just went away, and now are back and popular once
again. The dealers may be gone, some converted to Honda like Musselman’s in
Tucson who used to sell Indians and BSA, Wilson’s in Fresno now pushing metrics,
or Joe Turney’s in Albuquerque, now a latte shop. The buildings, the bikes, and
almost a whole generation of riders gone, but somehow the memories remain. Some
moved on to Hondas, some bought Yamahas, strange sounding names like Suzuki and
Kawasaki popped up, but the call of motorcycling remains, only the names have
changed. Harley almost faded too, somehow kept alive and reinventing itself by
shrewd marketing, but for those who ride, not just own, things remain the same,
we just worship different brands.
I asked a group of Harley guys one time, who claim they live to ride, if
tomorrow only a 250 cc 2 stroke was available, would you still ride? Without
fail, they would stop, maybe telling more about brand loyalty than devotion to
riding and the love of motorcycling. They claim a lifestyle, and even an ad
from JP Cycle’s today made me think about riding. The Top 10 Cruising
Destinations in Iowa. Not roads to ride, but places to end up. Left on your
own to get there, trailers optional. So maybe more than the brands have
changed, maybe we are changing, and as it is more important to be seen riding
the right bike as opposed to riding the right road, we each choose our
destination, but to me it is still the ride that makes it all worthwhile.
Triumph, BSA, Norton, Matchless, and other British bikes faded away. They
were so proud they thought no one would ever replace them. Across the pond
Harley thought the same after being the lone survivor in the Indian wars. But
the Japanese taught us all better, took us to a level of performance and
reliability we could only dream of, and then began to lose their personality.
They became akin to a blender or refrigerator, bought for a purpose, with no
love attached. BMW who also almost faded, now has come back, Triumph reinvented
itself, and both are selling high end bikes. Even Duc-Audi, going through
numerous changes of ownership, is at the leading edge of race bikes, Indian is
back, Harley now has a direct competitor, Victory is being weaned from us, and
what we ride again tells more about us than we wish to share. Sadly no 2
strokes, so my Harley lifestyle friends are safe....
So as we pass from idle worship idol worship, John again warns us, “dear
children, keep yourself from idols.” As church attendance is slimming despite
more churches, we exhibit our passions on two wheels. We may claim we don’t
worship our motorcycles, but look at the place they take in our lives. A vision
always pops into my memory of riding through the south, cardboard shacks with
paper roofs, but a new Harley on the porch. How many times we struggled just to
make ends meet, but when our bikes broke, somehow we found the money to fix
them. I know men who will ride to club events and try to meet up with family
members, rather than just visit their families. So I know, and can confess to
the idol worship that can attract me, but it is the idle worship, the going
nowhere, sitting in neutral, by passing God that bothers me. When a heart
becomes cold, we call it backsliding. When we forsake our first love, when we
deny Jesus, we have a cold heart. Some straddle the fence, making Jesus sick,
remember he vomits the lukewarm from his mouth. Some do all the right things,
yet are rotting away inside, appearance being their only goal. But in each
case, when we do not place Jesus first, we are acting selfishly, telling God we
know what is best, and becoming so clever and smart we take, rather steal the
glory from God for the blessings in our lives. A good FICO score may get you
the ride of your dreams, but can you afford the payments? What have you given
up, what are you getting in return?
In a be seen world, I watched a stylish woman with holes in her jeans,
denims we would have thrown away because they were worn, yet she strikes a
pose. A wannabe. Add a leather jacket with studs, and the empress may have new
clothes, but is still hollow inside. When motorcycles, cars, and clothes become
more fashionable than a relationship with Jesus, we are worshipping an idol. It
has taken the place of Jesus, even if you wear it to church! We get so enamored
by the things of humanity, we neglect to see the things of God. Funny, but the
Top 10 Destinations were all man made, neglecting the things of God. No Loess
Hills. No open prairies or dales. Museums, shops, places that sell t-shirts.
Until the next fad comes along....
If you feel trapped by the world, know that in Jesus we can overcome it, he
has. I may get grease and oil on my $16 Wranglers, no latte gonna stain them.
Latte is still a cup of coffee, for $5. And what I find interesting, is a
resurgence of 250 cc motorcycles, marketed for new riders, but older guys buying
them and remembering their first rides, their first love. And I meet many who
have fallen away, denied Jesus after once serving him, now coming back, with a
testimony of how he loved and forgave them even when they were away. Scripture
doesn’t warn us keep away from idols to punish but to protect us. From payments
and pain, which only make us lonely. The problem with being stylish is styles
change, Jesus never goes out of style. Love never fails. Try that one on your
Harley store.
And so John refers to us as dear children, not as spoiled brats, but as
loved, because Jesus loves us as we are. His desire, to give you an abundant
life, to enjoy the ride, and not be miserable on the way to your destination.
Sin is out there, very subtle at times, but still sin. Don’t look for a verse
to excuse it in your life, seek Jesus and his promises, then follow them. Let
the spirit guide you, ride new roads on old bikes, remember the good old days,
but look forward to the ones yet to come. Maybe an afternoon on an old 250 just
may change your attitude. And if no one is looking, it is still OK to have
fun. If you need an audience maybe you really are a poser at heart, but don’t
give up, Jesus died for you too. The road beneath us may be crumbling, the
infrastructure failing, Jesus never does. To absorb the bumps just like your
shocks do. Ask yourself, is it Jesus Christ or something else? I hope your
answer doesn’t amaze you. If it does, Jesus is still the answer.
Some ride, some remember. Some look back, some look ahead. Funny how they
left out Captain Kirk’s future birthplace. Riverside, Iowa. Look it up, been
there. No t-shirts, just a photo and a memory. Keep yourself from idols. Even
Mr. Spock would agree that makes sense. Now for a ride to Vulcan...only the
names have changed.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com