Why is it when you are stuck in traffic, that when the urge hits there is
never a rest room available? That was my dilemma that afternoon on I-70 in rush
hour traffic in Columbus. The “I’ll get off at the next exit” philosophy not
working, I was stuck in traffic, with no exit in sight, which only increased the
urge. Almost to the point of shivering, I had to go, I just pulled off onto the
shoulder, slid down a hill into some trees and relieved myself. One of man’s
great pleasures. But coming back up, and getting on my Tiger, I looked down and
saw a $50 bill just out of reach of my right foot. Now the Tiger its high, an
adventure bike, so high I cannot touch the ground without leaning, so here was a
free $50, just out of my reach. Inching forward, I put my right foot on it, now
what, I was off camber, couldn’t put the side stand back down, do I risk falling
over for $50? Just the wind of cars going by could blow it away if I lifted my
foot, I had gone from needing relief, to now needing another form of relief,
wisdom. So I took a chance, put down my side stand, got off and grabbed it!
Got it! And the bike was still standing, Off camber, off balance, but
determined, that day I found out just how far I would go for $50.
Which was torn with almost a third of it missing, but the girl at the Bob
Evans in Washington, Pennsylvania took it, and I covered lunch for the four of
us. But our conversation between bites was of the money found, and who lost
it. How did it get there? Who would hang onto a torn fifty, or was it ripped
after they lost it? Was it someone’s grocery money, a car payment, and of all
places, with no places to spend it in sight. Had they just stopped for some
roadside relief like I had, which got me wondering if I had dropped something,
which created in me a new habit of being careful when reaching in my pockets,
and always checking my wallet before riding off. We even talked of putting an
ad out, but what kind of catch would bait like that get? Should we turn it
over, did I do anything wrong? Suddenly the $50 blessing turned into a mindset
of what if’s, so like Harry Chapin did in his song Taxi, I stuck the bill in my
shirt, and we had lunch. With my non-Christian riding pals calling me lucky,
but if I was lucky, did it mean that whoever lost it was unlucky? And back on
the Tiger, I considered God’s side of the story...
Earthly treasures are like that, they can come and go. Valuables can lose
their value, as one day you are riding your expensive toy, the next day it’s in
the back of your truck on the way to the shop. Praised and then cursed. Which
explains the outlook on life many Christians have. But please note, God is not
an entertainment channel, and Jesus is not a social director. How many tithe
faithfully but bitterly, thinking the are sending it ahead, a popular phrase
when asking for money. But again, the words of Jesus should influence us, and
his example. He had no money, did no fund raisers, and sent out his men with
just pocket change, he would provide. His sending it ahead was the good deeds
as Timothy talks of, being rich in faith as James says. Like our valuables we
can be here today and gone tomorrow, what does our attitude towards valuables
say to others about Jesus? Do we really believe there is a heaven, and are you
still trying to buy yourself a good seat there? Is Jesus your treasure, or the
things that can be lost, moth eaten, devalued, or destroyed? Was that $50 bill
worth almost dumping my bike for?
That day yes, seems my roadside relief had changed to a roadside dilemma.
A test for me perhaps, but also a reminder of how God is in control. Are we
really content with what we have as Jesus says, or do we always want more?
Years ago when working, my plan was to buy a new Triumph every two years, always
having a bike in warranty, but also always having payments. I spent more time
dreaming of my next bike than I did enjoying the one I had, only an attitude
adjustment from God brought me back to reality. But it seems we also think God
is like a genie in a lamp, rub him and wish, then he is to deliver. But we have
the book of Job to reminds us of how he has all things under control, and again
in Romans reminds us all things work together for good, for believers. All,
both good and bad. You see, I had received not only $50, but a valuable lesson
from God in trust, and exposing my greed. Today, I am comforted by Job’s words
to his wife, who when losing everything, told him to “curse god and die.” Words
preached on, but never his answer, “you are acting like a foolish woman.” Not a
foolish woman, that was not her character, but in the heat of the moment was
acting foolish. Ever act foolish? If it is not your character, Jesus
forgives. If it is, he will also forgive you, and allow things to teach you,
and put him first. James knew, Timothy knew, Paul knew, and Job knew. His wife
was reminded, and so was I, and so am I.
So where do you go for relief? Or as the old ad asks “where do you find
relief?” Mine is found in Jesus Christ, my great shepherd. That when life is
not pleasant, he is still in control, and when it is, how it can suddenly
change. I could only hold it in so long, then I had to go. How long will you go
before turning to Jesus? Someday we will find out how good it is to go with
him, as heaven awaits. No bathrooms mentioned in heaven, but roads are. I
wonder.....there is only one way to find out. Turn to Jesus for that get up and
go feeling. There are times when even AAA cannot help. For you never know when
the urge will strike....and all the time God did.
Like when he gave his only son, crucified on the side of the road, talk
about roadside relief....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com