If a triangle has three sides, a square four, a pentangle five, and an
octagon eight, how many sides does a circle have? Think about it, the answer to
follow.
I have been stopping at PJ’s Triumph store in Albuquerque for over 12
years. We have become friends, and five years ago when I had my open heart
surgery, it turned out his best friend Peter was my cardiologist. PJ told me I
could hang out there and rehab, and when Peter released me, he would give me a
free bike to ride. I did get released, and was riding again at seven weeks
after open heart surgery, but we had gone home, and I wouldn’t see PJ for five
years. On our first trip back to Albuquerque last year I stopped in, but he was
on vacation too, but this year, on our five year anniversary, I sought him out.
Things had changed, but so had I/we....
Although PJ still owned the Triumph store, he had sold the Ducati
franchise, and part of the deal was he went with it. The Garcia family, who
owns numerous car franchises, had added Ducati and Honda motorcycles, and he was
running both stores, with a manager hired to run Triumph at a different
location. With a whole new set of faces. No Jonesy in sales, no Dylan in
parts, or Aaron in service, they had all moved on, and in a place where once I
knew everyone, everyone was gone. But meeting John who runs it, we are now
friends. A new kid is running service, now we are friends. And I got to spend
some time with PJ at the Ducati store. He told me all the details of his
change, and how he had become an employee/owner of two stores. We talked of
Peter who had moved to Denver, and how he missed him, the wives keep in touch,
and he meant to call him, but hadn’t and would. But things had changed, and I
doubt if he will, life changes had interfered,and what once was, now wasn’t.
Different, not better or worse, just different.
But while at the Triumph store, I needed a face shield, they were out. And
referred me to Bobby J’s, the long time Yamaha dealer, run by Stan, who I have
known for over 40 years. Where the guy in parts recognized me, it was Dylan,
and we caught up with who was doing what. How acquaintances had now become
friends, and friends had moved on. We were glad to see each other, but no face
shield, but he called a friend who did. Who has his own shop, and worked at
Motorsport like I once had. Albuquerque always has been and I hope always will
be a good biker town, we may ride different brands, but our heart is set on
motorcycles, and even though distant in years and miles, I was still in the
inner circle among friends at dealers. Revealing the first side of a circle,
the inside.
Jesus referred to his disciples as his inner circle. He told them things,
showed them things, and revealed thing to them no others had access to. It was
more than a physical time, deeper than classroom time, it was a time when he
revealed what was to come, rather who, his holy spirit. Who he would leave with
them to guide, protect, instruct, and comfort, as they had plans from him.
Being on the inner circle gave them direct entry to the spirit, while even the
Pharisees who read the same Old Testament, fell short on understanding. For
without the spirit to guide, to reveal the mysteries of Christ, they were
lacking, and legalistic, failing in love. Failing to accept the same offer
still extended by Jesus today to us, to join his inner circle, to be saved and
have his spirit indwelling in us. Jesus gives us his spirit when we are born
again, yet many fail to take advantage of being in the inner circle with him.
They choose a religious way, and stay on the outside, the other side of the
circle, and never grow nor get personal with him. Which side of the circle are
you on, do you relate to?
Simply put, a circle has two sides, an inside and an outside. It has no
sharp defined edges like other polygons, but has a unique shape like a
relationship with God. Eve to the point of calling us friends, and wanting us
to join his inner circle. Not to brag, but because he loves us, and wants all
the best for us. Today it is time to choose sides, which side are you on?
My relationships with the guys from PJ’s went deeper than I thought, it was
good to see them, and they were glad to see me. Our lives had crossed, and had
crossed again, and might again. Knowing the owner had allowed me behind the
counter, into the service department where no customers were allowed, and I got
to see behind the scenes, the inner workings. It was personal. Can you say the
same thing about you and Jesus? Are you in that inner circle, led by the
spirit, where you are welcome behind the desk? Does a pulpit separate you from
a relationship with God, thinking the pastor must be different? Were things
really that different 2000 years ago, has sin changed? Has Jesus changed? Has
his message? Have you? Will you? Today you can have all the insight Peter and
John had. You can come face to face with Jesus and bring friends to him like
Andrew did. You can be looked down upon socially like Levi was, but set free in
Christ. Or you can be like Judas, who although part of the inner circle, never
knew Jesus. The spirit was willing, Judas wasn’t. And paid the price, a price
Jesus offered to pay for him. Which side of the circle of Jesus Christ are you
on? Or do you think you are a big wheel, only to find out squares don’t roll?
I like being on the inner circle. To be friends with the owner, to know
the parts man, and get a deal. But no deal will ever match the one God offers
via Jesus. PJ’s had changed, the store was still there. PJ had changed, he was
now an employee, and an owner. A rare combination. But he gave me a glimpse at
the inner workings of both stores, I got to go behind the desk and see things
from his side. Which side are you on? Whose side are you on? I know whose
side I am on, and the view from the inside is great. You can never have too
many friends, and Jesus calls us his friends, if we keep his commandment of
love. He calls me friend, what do you call him? Simple math, and you can keep
your shoes on to count.
Just one morning in Albuquerque I will remember for a time to come. So
support your local dealer, even if he is 850 miles away. If only Judas had
ridden, maybe he would have gotten the message.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
PJ and his wife