I have never been a big fan of Missouri, most of my time there has been on
the I’s, 44 and 70. But last month meeting my friend Cyle for lunch in Fair
Grove, the talk was of roads. With a few of the local sheriff’s deputies part
of the conversation. I still don’t understand their lettered roads, today it
was CC, but this one gained an A+ from me. All that we who ride want in a road,
curves, smooth pavement, changes in elevation, and no traffic. I was lost, but
if this is lost, count me in. A road that connects two larger roads on the way
to somewhere, depending on which somewhere you chase that day. A road that is
great first thing in the morning, when setting off, setting the mood for the
rest of the ride, knowing somehow you will experience traffic and its jams, but
not wanting to lose the freshness of my first ride on it. I would ride many
roads like this, in 16 states over the next few weeks, but this one stands out.
Reminding me it is all about the ride, and although the destination is
important, it is how we get there that we remember most.
With so much emphasis on heaven, as it should be, we overlook the times and
roads we will ride here until called home. One of my mental escapades while
riding why remembering old roads, like Johnson Drive with its thirteen bumps,
Canal Road, still not sure where it is in Jersey, SR 32 along the Delaware in
Pennsylvania, and A1A in Florida. Each road a different time and memory, with
many ridden with the promise I’ll be back, but never returning. Somehow the
ride wouldn’t be the same.....I ride different now, not necessarily better. But
some roads you know you will ride, better yet you know the destination you will
arrive at sometime. With a greater chance of rain, traffic, and hopefully the
diner at the end is still there and open. With the same smiling waitress that
calls you Honey, yells your order to the chef, and keeps your drink full. When
all the right travel components-road, food, weather, and partner are right,
sometimes you may wish the ride was longer, just because you don’t want it to
end. I know some who fear heaven because they don’t want to leave their good
times here, on good rides I want to go on, on bad ones, “Lord just take me
home.” Of course, I’m the only one who ever feels like that....
After disobeying the spirit, Paul was in for some bad times in his
traveling. He had gone to Jerusalem against the wishes of God, who even sent
men, numerous men to warn him not to. But he went, and just like a detour sign
angers us, he went anyway, and suffered for it. Being beaten severely and
jailed. Not his idea, but his choice, and now Jesus comes to him and comforts
him, but leaves him with a travel tip, “it will be the same in Rome for you as
it was in Jerusalem. You will testify in my name,” like thanks a lot Lord, you
know I love to tell about you, but more beatings?” We have the luxury of
knowing about his writings from Rome, he didn’t, but went anyway. Like some
roads I have ridden, the weatherman said “no,” but I went anyway. Fortunately
so did Jesus. Remember he never leaves us or forsakes us, he too goes down some
roads he wished you hadn’t take, but in the end you get to see mercy in motion.
And emotion.
This must have been wonderful for Paul, Jesus appearing, but at the same
time reminding him of where he was, and how he was about to repeat it in Rome.
How many of us would have taken the car, or stayed home? Or changed routes?
But Paul went on, in the spirit, and we are the better for it. He’s back in the
spirit, and the glory returns to his ministry. He realizes again the glory and
greatness of knowing Jesus, he is acting like a true Christian again, the spirit
flowing through him, and he is filled with joy.
We too can know the same joy after falling away, we don ‘t have to go back
and make it right. We need to follow the spirit. We don’t need to offer more
or longer prayers, more offerings, more study or Bible time. We need to pick up
and follow Jesus, with our cross, forgiven and restored, doing the will of God.
Which encourages me, because after such great rides, sometimes I wonder if I
will ever enjoy myself as much again. And Jesus reminds me....
Of old South 10, now 14 outside of Albuquerque. Riding for Silverton to
Durango. The Columbia River Gorge, preferring the Oregon side, or is it
Washington? The ride north leaving Locust Grove. And any number of county
roads told to me by locals, who see the helmet and know how to give the best
advice on how to get there. Riding the Loess Hills in Iowa, Iowa with hills?
Go and find out. SR 33 in Wisconsin, SR 25 in California, and even the first
road I remembered traveling to somewhere else on, Route 22 in Jersey. All roads
lead to somewhere, not all roads lead to someone. Paul found it out, and when
making a course correction, found Jesus never left him. But that his detour had
cost him and would. But would also bless him more than he would ever think.
Riding with Jesus will take you places you never knew about, but with bad
weather, traffic, and detours, ours not his as part of it. But we go on,
encouraged and blessed because we know all roads, all rides, and all things work
together for those who love the Lord and are called to his purpose. We may
forget about certain roads, Jesus reminded Paul how he never forgot him. Sin
separates us for God, but not God from us. So welcome back, continue the
journey, enjoy the ride. You never ride alone....no matter how much you turn
from Jesus. And know that heaven awaits, but until then, the best days are
ahead. In Christ. Let’s ride.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com