Not sure how to rate this one, great planning, good luck, or miraculous
intervention by a loving God, but I was able to ride almost 7800 miles between
traffic jams. 7800 miles of not lane splitting, not being held up in traffic on
freeways, really so not free flowing ways, across 16 states, and then there is
Jamecula, I mean Temecula. I had almost forgotten about this mistake of a road,
and gotten used to what Esso used to refer to as “Happy Motoring...” But
watching as the faithful clogged two lanes getting off to go to the casinos, I
was suddenly taken back to the traffic I had ridden so far and so long to
avoid. No secret California has many problems, one DMV experience will verify
that, but with so much traffic clogged freeways, we cannot travel within the
state as we used to. But then the list of places we would go to is diminishing
quickly.
We used to like riding in San Francisco, even had a map of the ten steepest
hills, my favorites the ones going down where you had to stop at the top to see
over the crest because the drop was so drastic. But today filled with human
debris such as human feces, used drug needles, and homeless camps, the last
straw was the new Mayor blaming charity groups for not instructing the homeless
on personal hygiene. Do the pass the buck words from her mouth pass as personal
hygiene? How many times we traveled to the Central Coast, great riding roads,
nice, mellow people, and affordable rates. Now an old family run since 1959
motel, that used to get $60/night charges over $120, without the amenities. Gas
is almost a dollar more expensive here, add in the ignorant two handed pumps
bikers are forced to use, no wonder we travel out of state. And all it took was
one trip back to Temecula to remind me....where the wind blows and the traffic
slows.
But just as the generations preceding my arrival 30 years ago told of less
traffic, lower prices, and a land of milk and honey, what seemed fine to us was
harsh for them. It seems with each new generation the qualifying
characteristics change, and the most recent generation is used to driving in
traffic, they never knew anything else. So wasted hours on the freeway,
overcharging for gas, and filthy cities are all they know. It seems that when
the high cost of living becomes too high, or too expensive, the people look for
alternatives. San Francisco claims you must make over $303,000 a year to afford
a middle class home, which costs $1.5 million. A recent poll shows 46% plan on
leaving San Fran, with over 61% naming Texas, which has no state income tax.
Want to save 10% a year, move there. California residents, among them those
involved in charity, pay 10%/year. No wonder the state needs to be split into
three....did you know there are over 200 languages spoken in the LA school
districts? And so the post road downs continue, it seems that even though there
is no place like home, and if home is where your motorcycle sleeps at night,
maybe “go east young man, “ and older ones too is the new rallying cry.
When Paul met Jesus on the road and was blinded, after regaining his sight
he found he was more than blinded in his sight. He was spiritually blinded,
believing Satanic lies, not living an evil life per se, but under the influence
of the world, one of the three great evils Jesus talks of. The world tells us
we can do it alone, we are our own destiny makers, and don’t need God. But just
as some live in physical blindness, many in the world live in spiritual
blindness, thinking they are all right, being suffocated by the world, and not
knowing it. When Oprah is the answer, Jerry Springer ruining lives, and people
being misled by Hollywood psychics, only $1/minute, we see where the prince of
the air uses media to keep them captives. Staggering from one paycheck, one
traffic jam, one filthy city to another, the quality of life is diminished.
Under control of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and paying homage daily,
without even knowing it. But Jesus makes it plain, Satan has launched an
incredible propaganda attack and he isn’t letting up. For so long we have heard
the lies that we believe them, we need a road trip from evil to see the good
that only comes from above. We need Jesus more than ever.
But one powerful tool given by God to each believer is his own personal
testimony of Jesus Christ in his life. Reading the letters of Paul, time and
again he tells of how Jesus changed his life, and telling it to anyone within
earshot, willing to listen or not. From crowds to private audiences before
government officials, his story of Jesus in his life has changed many via the
spirit. For it is the world of our testimonies, and the power of the spirit
that saves. By no other name can we be saved. Jesus is truth,and when we meet
him, we find the truth, walk in the light, and walk in his way, instead of being
in the way. Available to all who seek, all who ask, all who knock. All those
stuck in traffic, or even in San Francisco...
One ride across America and seeing the new found excitement, and coming
back home has affected me. There is life out there, clean air, empty roads,
cheaper gas and housing, and clean neighborhoods. Places where you fill up then
pay, where a house on an acre or two with a barn, newly built cost under
$200,000. Where people are polite, kids play in their front yards, and men
still hold doors open for women. Where in the midst of a torrential storm, we
were given shelter and welcomed. These places are called America, where we see
where God shed his grace on thee. Some live in bondage by poor decisions, one
decision of turning to Jesus will turn your life around. The good news of the
gospel, that is the testimony of Paul, who was blinded, and given his sight by a
loving God. Our gospel should be the same, tell of Jesus, let your light shine,
show love, compassion, and forgiveness. Life is for the living, not to be stuck
in traffic. What bondage is holding you back from freedom in Christ? You
know, I feel another road trip coming.....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com