It was on my sixth day out of the 27 I would eventually ride I finally
crossed over into Indiana. I was excited as I was going to pick up Theresa at
the airport in Indianapolis, but still had 200 miles to get there, yet didn’t
want to hurry. I hadn’t been on a freeway for five days, and my riding was
relaxed and invigorating at the same time. Old highways like US 36 I was on
were lightly travelled, and I rode for the road as opposed to the speed limit
signs, never going too fast or too slow. Entering Indiana, I stopped by Ernie
Pyle Memorial Park, complete with a covered bridge, picnic area, and grassy area
for kids to play on. A real covered bridge, a far cry from the Disney inspired
past we think is real. Few if any outside of Ernie’s generation know of him,
but he was a famous journalist, who in WWII, took a bullet when out on patrol,
he was there as a journalist, not a soldier. His stories of GI Joe inspiring
many at home and at war. But further down the road, in Bainbridge, “@ the
light” like his card says, I saw a sign stating “KING TIGER” in Triumph
lettering. An old type store from before Ernie’s time, when the shop was in the
front and the family lived behind it. And Rob, the owner, still carried on that
tradition.
Opening the door, I saw him sitting among at least 30 bikes in various
states of repair, and putting a clutch together on a vintage 1953 Norton. I
asked if it was cool if I came in and looked, he grunted something like OK and I
did. His shop was a museum piece still alive and functioning. Posters of Janis
Joplin, old Triumphs, The Wild One, and many artifacts I remember from when they
were still contemporary. We began to converse, and he admitted he didn’t like
new Triumphs, 1978 was his cutoff year, and fixed, repaired, tuned up, restored,
or built custom choppers, only British bikes. One look at his shop and you
might think disorganized, but it worked for him, as he knew where everything
was. Boxes that might appear as trash hold vintage parts, parts scattered on
the ground were a work in process. And as we talked for the next hour, we
became friends, taking each other into worlds we were not familiar with. He
left me with two comments, one he felt like a farmer, the past ten years he had
made money once, broke even three times, and lost money six times, just like a
farmer. And when leaving, I became the first photo he took of a new Triumph,
wanted to remember me and it. We had taken each other into each other’s lives,
and become friends. Not agreeing on many things, but gaining insight we may not
have had before. This is America, and how I want to remember it....
Since being back, I have gone through over 1800 emails, don’t you people
have anything better to do? One I noticed was from eight years ago, giving
encouragement to a friend who was going through a short sale. Despite all the
best advice they had been given, they still proceeded, after much prayer, and
were trusting God. The rank and file world of finance advised them against it,
their rank and file Christian friends quoted them Bible verses and thought they
were wrong. But they had a peace, God was right after all, and after reading
the letter, and the advice I gave, I thought of Rob and his shop. In the world
of legalism, whether in business or in religion, what may appear careless is
really carefree. Rob stepped out of line with convention, was enjoying life on
his terms. My friends were stepping out in Jesus, living life on his terms, not
from a Bible study or what someone thought they had been taught was in the
Bible. Walking in the spirit will always make you a target, sadly of too many
legalistic believers, who are quick to blame Satan for their own stupid
decisions, and never mature. They are the Pharisees of today, impressing us
with their so called religious life, yet burdened by the laws. Mention the
spirit, and they change the subject, quoting scripture, but never letting the
spirit apply it in their lives. Much different from two men in jail one
night...
Paul and Silas had had a rough day, being beaten and then thrown into
prison for the gospel. But at midnight they were found singing and worshipping
God, just the opposite of the rank and file Christian of today. They knew that
whatever the enemy had thrown at them God was bigger than, and were rejoicing in
the victory. And God sent an earthquake, not uncommon in the area, but the
timing was supernatural, as if applauding from heaven with them. They were
able to see God at work, and had no choice but to rejoice, for resurrection
power cannot be stopped. The tasks and trials, the tribulation are all part of
our testimonies, and a chance for the greatness of God to be shown. And the
prison was opened, and they walked out! Sadly not what many churches teach
today....yet many still walk out, but for a different reason.
And we have another friend who blames every problem on Satan. He’s
attacking them always, read not getting their way, and by giving him the glory
over Jesus in the situation, are really offering praise to him. God has
defeated him, we are victorious! We win...but our part has to still be played
out. Just like it was for Paul and Silas....For it is only in times of great
distress that we see a side of God that we otherwise would have missed. A part
that bad teaching, bad religion, and bad choices make us avoid.
While gone a friend passed away, we talked many times in her last few
months, she was riddled with pain, asking Jesus to just take her home. But in
the same sentence telling me how that if he didn’t on her time, she knew he
would on his, and was happy to not sacrifice her relationship with him. The pain
would be her testimony of her trusting in Jesus. She trusted him in the midst
of the storm and in the pain and suffering still rejoiced. She knew Jesus, and
I saw her trust in him, sadly a far cry from the emails I am getting tell of the
poor lady and of her death. Aren’t we as Christians supposed to be anxious for
heaven? Isn’t free from the body present in heaven? Maybe they need some
shaking like Paul and Silas, or like many of us who have faced death or worse,
yet only saw Jesus and his resurrection power in action, rejoice. Who do your
words give glory to?
It seems the safe Christian, safe biker, and safe citizen will always have
an excuse for not following the norm. But really we are carefree, not
careless. We find peace in Jesus, live in the spirit, without the benefit of
legalism. One morning on Route 36 with Rob reassured me of my walk in Christ.
And even though not a Christian, we both visited on a level God provided. Both
rebels, maybe his card and his cut told me more than I needed to know. You see
he is also president of the local Boozefighters chapter, active in the
Confederation of Clubs, yet his card states “I ride and repair British bikes
ONLY!” A rebel among rebels, just like Jesus. Who knows, I hope he finds Jesus
someday, we talked, I offered. But keep him in prayer, as he is being sued.
One night a few years back his shop was broken into, he shot the guy, the police
backed him up, but the robber is suing for damages. Rob expects to win, seems
there is more justice outside of California. We need more Robs, but we really
need more Jesus. Carefree, not careless, rejoicing and not complaining. Jesus
told us it is not what goes into a man that is important, but what comes out.
For all of you who only study.....we hear you. But please, keep Keep your
legalistic ways to yourself, the rest of us are too busy rejoicing in his
resurrection....
Some get their kicks on Route 66, some on Route 36. I have the photos to
prove it. So does Rob at King Tiger. May the road you travel be as
blessed.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com