We were on our way from Muscatine to St. Joseph with a stop in Clarinda to
visit the Glen Miller Museum when we needed to make a pit stop. Crossing over
an Interstate in the middle of Iowa, we met and talked with two couples on
Harleys, who were heading home from Bryce and Zion National Parks, their turn
around point. It seems they were much closer to home than we were, with less
than two hours left to their ride. When touring people meet we instinctively
talk about the roads we ride, and they had been mostly on freeways, making time
as best they could, and sadly missing the best part of riding. They had started
riding Highway 12 in Utah, but turned back, and had spent too much time judging
riding by which exit they would need. Talking with the one guy, when I told him
where we were going, he asked “why didn’t you just take the interstate?” And as
I began to explain why, his face lit up. He lived in a small town outside Iowa
City, and to him it was all cornfields, and farm roads. To us it was much
different, as I explained. You see when the Interstate Highway System was
created, it did its best to eliminate curves, changes in elevation, and to
provide a smooth, wide open motoring experience, designed to be driven at 85
mph, 1955 miles per hour. Replacing the many US Highways that preceded it, and
which I travel on today. Visiting the towns that the interstate bypassed, roads
with names and numbers, not just freeway exit numbers. And as I explained how
the roads were different, he nodded and started to smile. He was beginning to
get it, there is more to riding than freeways. But then I mentioned how the
state road, and even better yet, the county roads, were much better rides.
State roads follow the topography much closer, not bulldozing hills, going up
and over them, following rivers, and adding curves and life to the ride. But
county roads elevated the ride even more, lots of 15 mph turns after running at
70, slowing down past farms, 25 mph speed zones through towns, and curves,
turns, elevations, and excitement that was eliminated by freeways. And he
smiled...to him it was just riding through the corn fields, he never realized
how good the roads he lived on and rode were. And what he had missed riding
cross country on I-40, 80, and others. We finished our ride across Iowa in the
same amount of time, and were refreshed, he was tired from riding freeways. You
decide, which ride is better for you?
If you think the Midwest is flat, get off the freeways. State Road 92 had
so many elevation changes and hills and dips, the cruise control couldn’t keep
up with it. Many a small town was ridden through,with a detour to ride the old
downtown, past the municipal court house, and local drive in. America at its
greatest, a life photo many times of life just after WWII, when all was exciting
and we were victors and led the world in freedom. So much of America is like
that, get off the freeways and live, see history on more than just the History
Channel, be greeted by smiles, welcomed and conversed with. Learn about the
people in the area in a short meeting, rather than dodging semis at a truck
stop. Travel may have changed, but the traveler hasn’t, and there is so much to
be seen and learned out on the road. Where a quote in Hannibal, Missouri by
Mark Twain reminded us, “traveling is the best way to learn.” And back roads
across America just make it better.
Jesus spent most of his ministry on the road, no coincidence that he draws
us out and about. Yet for years the main thrust has been on education,
memorization, and study. Knowing all about the man, but many times never
getting to know the man. Facts and figures may tell us something, but don’t
give us insight as to who he really was. Like the road, you need to experience
Jesus first hand, to ride with him in the curves, see him in action via hearing
other’s testimonies, and bless and be blessed by others. It was on the road
where Paul met him, where the Philip met the eunuch, where the Samaritan met the
wounded man, and where Jesus was crucified. There are many other instances of
road scholarship, but nothing beats knowing Jesus personally, and not just from
a book. When you see the storm clouds ahead and start praying, when the sun
breaks through and you rejoice, when you meet someone who wants to pray for you,
or you for them, you see Jesus in action. Jesus never hurried, and was never
late, can you say that about your freeway experience through the Bible?
Constant study leaves no time for life, and why do we study, to pass a test, to
find ourselves approved. Then forget it after the test...only to be reminded
when we need to use it on the road.
So have you really experienced Jesus in your life? Are you out living the
gospel as you go as scripture advises? Of all people I met on the trip while
stopped, it was the religious man who wanted to force a tract on us who didn’t
show respect and courtesy. He had an agenda, what’s yours? When you stop to
talk do you force Jesus on the other, or do you let your light shine? Do you
listen or just hurry to the next stop? Or are you still looking? Or
waiting.....
Consider this today, so many teachings emphasize the return of Jesus. But
how many remind us that his spirit never left? That in all things he is with
us, at all speeds, on all roads. Yet we neglect to slow down and spend time
with him. We noticed that many old churches were empty this year, religion is
dying, but Jesus is still alive. We don’t call them rest stops for nothing.
The church is leaving the building, and getting out and living and loving. God
pours out, he doesn’t need to take in. We need to do both....traveling is the
best way to learn, I know, because I also have the best teacher. My homework
called life. You study, I’ll live. Knowledge puffs up....we all need Jesus.
Knowing about is different than knowing him. Of course you already knew all
this didn’t you....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com