It was our first long trip after my aorta replacement, and the next seven
days would seem like heaven. Our last ride ended with me being life flighted,
my bike being rescued by two Harley riding friends trailering it back to
California, and coming home in a rented Camry. So with all good intentions, we
headed north, to ride the Gold Rush country, and get out of town. Bike checked
over, all was well, and off we went. But occasionally a grinding noise was
coming from the rear and we couldn’t find it. Checked all the obvious, no
marks, chain OK, so rode on. Until looking for a place to eat in Paso Robles,
where we would spend our last few nights. Btu when pulling onto the road, the
noise got louder, and pulling over found the rear wheel bearing coming apart.
No wobble, but the parts were exposed, and the bearing was shot. With no
Triumph dealer, aka Mickey, within 200 miles. So calling my insurance carrier,
I had coverage for breakdowns, but no one way towing service would take my bike
that far, so they agreed to have me rent a truck and would reimburse me. So far
so good....
So finding a Ryder truck agency who would loan me a one way truck, he asked
why, and when explaining the situation, told me he was a retired Honda
motorcycle certified mechanic, he could fix the bike, no problem, just get me
the part. This was sounding good, so calling Mick, he arranged to have the
bearing sent directly to me in Paso from Triumph in Atlanta overnight. With one
small problem, they didn’t have one in stock, in fact they had never sold one,
and had on dimensions on it. So calling Shel, who I met through Mick, the
National Service Manager, he called over to the UK, who would get back to him,
but didn’t have the specs either. Fortunately bearings come numbered as to
their specs, so removing it from the bike and reading the number should be no
problem, they are universal. But the bearing had been damaged enough that no
number could be read...so it looked like a truck ride back with bike in tow. So
the arrangements were made for the next day, and then one final phone call was
received. This old Honda tech had found the bearings, it was a kit with a Honda
part number that fit my bike, he would have it the next day, my bike would be
ready by 10, total cost with towing, $88! So we did what any good rider would
do when faced with a dilemma, we went to the water park! And the next day, we
were on our way home....
So many times we lose our bearings, we misplace God in our dilemmas. We
panic in a panic situation, and we had had enough panic for a lifetime the
summer before. But just as then God had everything in place, before we could
even ask, he did this time too. We forget that in times of trials, it is when
the gospel has gone forth and the church of believers has grown. We get
complacent, lazy with God, treating him like a genie in the lamp, just giving
him commands and our wants. But we fail to see how he takes us through, and not
around the present danger. How rare was my heart condition, that I was the only
one in history to have what I had, and now the first rear bearings go out on a
bike that has never failed, but fortunately God never fails. You may be broken
down, broken up, or just broken period, but God still has everything under
control. Many times without asking, despite our not listening and panicking.
Yet we do, and God still does, we are more normal than we like to think. We
forget who the disciples were before they were called, and even after spending
three years night and day with Jesus, still doubted and panicked. Yet Jesus
kept his cool, he never lost his bearing, he kept his eyes on his father, doing
everything for him, to the end on the cross. And then fooling everyone by being
resurrected. He had told them so, but had they heard? So after panicking, what
do you do? After leaning on your own understanding, what do you do? When all
hope is gone, what do you do? After all the cussing, thrown tools, name calling
and doubt has caused turmoil, when you have lost your bearing with Christ, where
do you turn? Back to Jesus...repent, then shut up and listen to him. He knew
all about the Honda tech renting trucks, the availability of parts, and the
Honda part number. The bearing was the same, it didn’t change, its application
did. Just like on Pentecost, when Peter spoke to the 3000 who were saved, at
that point the gospel became for Jew and Gentile too, not just as previously
prescribed. So why can we believe he can find a bearing that doesn’t exist, but
cannot solve our problem? All parts do not work on all bikes, but God’s spirit
is available to be poured out on all who believe. And so we enjoyed the day at
the water park worry free!
Much of auto repair is WIP/WOP, work in process, or waiting on parts.
Sounds like our lives. We are that work in process, and waiting for what we
need, we just don’t know what we need. We have a God who does, the Jews call
him Jehovah Jireh, his grace is sufficient for us, he supplies all our needs,
just like he says he will in Christ Jesus. Down to the last motorcycle part.
I may have lost my bearings, Triumph was out of stock, and the broken one was
unreadable, but Jesus never lost his bearing. He never panics, he never
hurries, he never tires. The perfect person to have with you on he road, or at
home. And that afternoon, at the waterpark. I knew the right people who still
couldn’t help me, when all the time all I had to do was trust Jesus. Seek ye
first the kingdom of God, and all your parts will be available. Seems he was
into motorcycle ministry long before any of us were. Reminding me once again,
the gospel is simple so we can get it, and free so we can afford it. Even
bearing our burdens when we cannot, or they aren’t in stock. God is bearing his
witness to us all the time, with signs and wonders and diverse miracles, along
with giving us his spirit. According to his will.
And my insurance company insisted on paying for the tow! A good thing
Lucas doesn’t make bearings. Jesus Christ, don’t leave home without him!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com