How often after selling a trusted car or motorcycle do you say “I wish I hadn’t sold it.” The old saying “buy for love and sell for money,” taking on a new turn, as no one likes to lose money, but very few things appreciate either, it can be like real estate, “you didn’t pay too much, you just bought too soon.” But each vehicle we sell always has a reason behind it, and the last few bikes I have sold, were because it was time for someone else to enjoy them. They were still used, but with nine bikes plus the press fleet, each one had an excuse for not being favored over another. Selling Theresa’s 2002 Bonneville, its new owner had never seen a light blue and grey one, and instantly fell in love. Selling the 1978 Suzuki GS1000E, the man couldn’t wait to get down from Orange County fast enough. His wife handed him the cash, and he rode off, not even waiting for her. I know both feelings. That of buying the new ride, and also the parting of ways with it. When I sold my 1985 Yamaha FJ1100, after 11 years and 78,000 miles, I wondered how long it would take to get over it. 1.3 miles to be exact, as my new Triumph Trident more than took its place. I have been taken on deals, like the young man who wanted a Scrambler for daily riding, only to see it on Craigslist the next week, for a higher price. Maybe my deal was too good. But in each case, I wanted to pass a bike on so the new owner could continue the story of it, to take the new owner places to ride it, brag on it, and maybe tell the history of it. I may wish I hadn’t sold some of them, but in each case, I have never wanted one back. We humans are strange creatures, do we ever really know what we want?
When Paul wrote to the Philipians, “for me to live is Christ, to die is gain,” I still am not quite sure what he meant. I know what I have been taught, I know what the spirit has shown me, and I know what I have experienced. To live a life for Jesus is truly living, and a life full of gain. Ask any Christian, and he will recite the appropriate scriptures to back it up. But the scripture quoted will tell you where they are in life. Life is good, you are doing well, never heard anyone on the way up say “well, it’s all gonna burn anyway.” But on the way down....seems we are too consumed with the blessing part, and when times are good, we don’t want to give them up. yet Paul says “to die is gain,” I wonder how many of us really believe that. Viewpoints on heaven vary, we all want heaven to be the best things of earth, but Jesus tells us we can have heaven on earth, just the opposite. Honestly, whatever you think heaven to be, it will be better. So much better, that if we had a real glimpse of it, we would all be committing suicide to get there. Maybe why God doesn’t show us. We are still in the for me to live is Christ part. For life doesn’t end with death, as some songs suggest, but we will never die, as Billy Graham tells us “he will just change addresses,” and so will we if we know Jesus.
With so many teaching theories on heaven, I have learned to walk away, as they have it wrong. I have been there, and the only way I can describe it is I want to go back. A peace you cannot explain, I thought I was dead, Jesus assured me “You are very much alive.” No words can describe the spiritual, yet we try to use the words we know to describe that which we don’t. You can believe what you want, I know, I was there. Yet have been criticized by so-called Bible experts I made it up, or was hallucinating. So much for teaching, I know first hand, to die is gain. They still struggle with the to live is Christ.
Consider Paul’s statement, and interject your reason for living. Based on scripture, if money is to live, than losing it is to gain. Fast cars and motorcycles, accumulating is life, losing them is gain. Yet death remains an unknown, as many Christians are afraid of it. Frank, RIP, and I discussed this one night at length, both of us not knowing what laid ahead for us. But we agreed, we are not afraid to die, just not sure of the process. We are all works in process, maybe if we lived more for Christ, we would worry less about death.
The death rate is 100% as of this morning, you can be rich and famous and die unexpectedly. Have the best health, yet fall over dead. I know men who have planned their own services after death, but still never get to see them. We all may have theories on death and heaven, but when you realize to live is Christ, you no longer fear or run from death. The truth of Jesus Christ is heaven begins down here, when we accept him. To represent him, and share our testimonies of how he changed us. To love as he loved, not expecting anything in return. He has already promised us eternal life, but how many don’t want to die to obtain it? So the only thing that makes sense is to live in Christ, pre-heaven. On earth as it is in heaven. We will all be changed in the twinkling of an eye, but you can start living today.
So the things of life, the bikes and cars and the what evers, are all going to be replaced, with something better. For eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor the mind imagined the things of the kingdom of God. I have been there in the spirit, and I want to go back, but as long as I am here on earth, I will continue to live in Christ. Even one bike a time, until it is my turn. No one in heaven will wish God had waited to take them home, those in hell will wish they had listened. They too will a new address, with gates to keep them in. So they cannot escape. Unlike California real estate, you cannot buy too soon. You have been bought in love...be content and live that way forever. To die is to gain everything....anything else is just an ad on Craigslist. I know what I want, do you?
You know, I heard about a used racer in great shape and cheap, just a few miles from here, like I always wanted, and the story continues.....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com