Leaving The Classic Car Show in LA on Saturday, I got to thinking how many
cars I have had over the years, and although I don’t consider myself a gearhead,
it is more about wheels than anything. I can remember my first bike, a 20” with
hard rubber tires, and the big deal when the training wheels came off. My next
bike at age 6, a 24” convertible, you removed the boy bar to make it a girls’
bike, but I didn’t care, I was in white walled glory with a basket to carry
things. But it wasn’t just bikes, I had a pedal tractor as a kid, and then
another, way cool. Some go carts that were pedal driven, and wagons, that while
some were pulled in their wagon, I sat in mine and was pushed from behind,
steering. As I got older the trend continued, my green Schwinn Sting Ray, a
real Sting Ray, not some other company’s copy. 10 speeds, and the list goes
on. I have had owned over 25 cars in my lifetime, afraid to count the
motorcycles, I tried and lost count, and the theme I always lived by it seems,
was that wheels took me places. I saw things, met people, made memories.
Sometimes traveling alone, like my first cross country trip in my 1973 Chevy Van
in 1975, to Torches rides with hundreds. But I never sat still it seemed, there
was always somewhere to go, and a road to take me there. An itch that has never
been scratched, like the one on your back you cannot reach, but keep trying
anyway. 43 nights on the road last year just increased my desire to ride, and
this year’s trips are already shaping up. Seems the kid in me never grew up,
and has no intention of ever doing it. Some brag on their second childhood, I‘m
still enjoying my first.
Yet I find two different groups of people when the talk comes to cars,
motorcycles, and rides. Some like to share and encourage, taking the time to
get into details, so you can go and enjoy the ride. While some get indignant,
almost jealous, that you ride and they don’t. You have such and such a car or
motorcycle and they don’t. You can tell when the excuses begin, and the freer
they flow, they have become jealous, prideful, and also hateful. True we may
not all have the same opportunities, but we all can make choices, some choose
excuses. I have some friends like that, who almost try to make me feel bad
after a trip, because they can’t. They find ways to not do things, to almost
deny God’s blessings to them, and always are left miserable, the same way they
entered. Maybe another reason we ride alone, we plan, we save, and we trust
God, who knows our desires, and we fine tune our trips according to him. How
many free nights, free meals, discounts and treasures have been found just by
going and doing. Which brings up a point about Jesus, how much of your
relationship with him is doing? What have you learned by doing, then confirming
in the word, as opposed to studying all aspects, and coming up with reasons, aka
excuses for not doing things? While some try to make you jealous, I rather
encourage in Christ. We are not in a competition with each other, the only
competition is between God and Satan for our souls. The important thing is we
represent Jesus on earth, the same ministry we each have been given. Yet seldom
used, read as in doing. Paul dealt with this, they were true Christians, but
felt the need to compete, to be the best church, best fellowship, even at others
expense. Today I see churches rob members form each other, calling it
evangelism or a crusade. I have seen some men get bummed because after the brag
on what they have done, the next guy’s story is better. Why can’t we just enjoy
what God ahs given each one of us and enjoy it?
Years ago when we changed churches, I just wanted to sit in the pew and
listen, I was tired of thinking I had to be doing things on my own for Jesus,
then I started letting him guide. And I did more, maybe less, but was blessed
more, had a peace not found in competing with other Christians, and grew in
Christ. When God’s plan was enacted, I grew. I wanted to do more, and with him
guiding, I could. It was like the training wheels coming off, I always knew I
could ride, now I was. I had a direction and a purpose. I rode and did, grew
in Christ, and got deeper in his word. I was able to reflect my actions in his
word because I had done them, been there, and done that. While some were still
studying and seeking, I was out living and doing for Christ. Suddenly the rides
got better, the roads more challenging, and my vistas expanded in Jesus. I let
him do it, I just came along for the ride. And what a ride it has been...
A sure sign of Christian maturity is finding joy in someone else’s ministry
and in their successes. Not being envious, or wondering “why doesn’t God bless
me like that?” I think your answer is obvious. We need to know that in all
things Christ is preached, and our reactions are more important than our
actions. Remember the rich man praying in church, “at least I am not a poor
sinner like him,” not knowing just how poor and wretched he really was. If only
we can be happy in what we have, and enjoy the moment. What a difference that
would make. Maybe it is time to take off the training wheels, and trust God
with your ride. You will fall, but he will pick you up and restore you.
Scripture tells us an unused barn stays clean, but makes no profit. Bragging on
your crabgrass free yard, or the places you have been in Christ? Maybe there is
a reason no one listens to you. What a difference being a doer of the word
makes. But of course, you must get out and do it. That first step maybe the
hardest....
If you are not moving forward, you are either standing still or going
backward. Enough has been said about back sliders, just know that the lukewarm
get spit out of Jesus’ mouth, they made him sick. And I don’t remember car sick
being mentioned! Only in looking back can we see how much fun we really had in
that wagon, or doing burnouts on our Sting Ray. Those in Christ not only look
ahead, but are moving forward with him, the best memories yet to be made. Or
you can look at someone else’s home movies.....and grumble.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthw25biker.blogspot.com