As long as anyone can remember, and those who are dead may remember, 0-60
was the criteria by which performance was measured. We didn’t need timing
lights or even road test times, just a stop light, and two cars willing to duke
it out. All pride of ownership based on and bragging rights based on the
moment, which can change at the next light. But with so many things to be
considered, rear end gears, manual or automatic, add on engine accessories, and
of course the driver himself, so many things come into play, so the true
comparisons were never found, only who got to 60 first. And by whose
speedometer....as even small things as changing tire sizes would effect its
reading, even stock there are variations, and then there is always the loser’s
side of the story. These stoplight showdowns were unofficial, serious fun, and
only the hard core raced for pink slips. In most cases it was who got there
first, and was quicker, until the next light turned green....
While many record quarter mile times, 0-60 still remains the standard most
of us live by. Something we can all do, without specialized equipment. Today
magazines use dynos to measure speeds and acceleration, but a few still head to
the track for the thrill of it all. Just a few years ago it was under seven
seconds to be considered quick, then five, our Mustang is in the fives, then the
fours, now the threes, where the quickest bikes are found, and also supercars.
In less time than it takes to read that last sentence you just went 0-60, but in
that two second difference at 60 mph or 83 feet/second, you were either half a
football field ahead, or half of one behind. The winner sitting waiting while
you are still accelerating. Still think you’re quick...
But as long as there are two guys willing to duke it out, there will be
races. The distance maybe not the most important thing, only who gets there
first. We were invited one weekend to a motorcycle club race, a huge party with
the main event an 1/8 mile drag race on gravel, for whatever you brought with
you. Get in line, and whoever is next to you is your competitor. And whoever
crossed the finish line first won, and you could race all day. All unofficial,
and fun. With one factor included, a ditch at the end of the track, you had to
go fast and stop fast also, or you ended up in the ditch. You could actually
win, but still end up in the ditch! Which happened more than once, it seems
winning was everything, not the only thing. But it was for fun, and seeing
anything from Z-1’s with knobbies to Harleys on nitrous, it was like any race,
getting there first. No trophies, just bragging rights, until the next
race.
It seems bragging rights go far beyond the stoplight showdowns. Based on
ego and fueled by pride, no one wants to finish second, or not be the best.
Years ago when part of an international motorcycle ministry, some big mouths in
another club bragged on how they were better. One guy known for his big mouth
confronted me, how he was better because of the things he had done, as if we
were in competition. After bragging, he asked, “so what do you think of that?”
All I could say was “get behind me Satan,” and he shut up. In fact, he hardly
ever spoke to me again. He thought his showdown was with man, he didn’t know
our battle was against powers and principalities, that we are not competitors
but team mates. Sadly his attitude is not an isolated event, too much
infighting among so called believers, whose ministry, whose fellowship, whose
pastor or worship leader is better, which doesn’t promote unity, but only causes
division. We may all agree in church, but do we agree in the spirit? When
these so called like minded men are alone, who do they depend on? Seems we are
all fast or fast talkers until challenged. When the flag drops, the BS stops,
or is it just put on hold?
We are not going to win every race, every contest. There will always be
someone faster, quicker, with more horsepower or more stickers. On any day you
may be champ but end up chump. Jim Ryun was the world’s fastest miler, everyone
picked him to win the Olympics in the mile, but when he got bumped off the
track, and crashed, he didn’t even finish. Years of training, devotion, and in
a split second it all ended. Paul says we are in the race to win it, the prize
being Jesus Christ, a race in which we all can win. And a race that without the
holy spirit we will lose. It will not be based on what we do, but on what Jesus
did, not on who we are, but on who he is. Yet many brag on what they have done,
which will not get you a better place in heaven. You cannot win your salvation,
it is a gift, so no one can brag. It all comes down to Jesus and who you say he
is. Not by your denomination, your pastor, the things you have done, or
traditional prayers or actions. Who do you say Jesus is?
Ask the thief who lost all in life, but when confronted with Jesus won the
big race. The blind man who received his sight, or ask Steven, who died in his
faith. Whose prayer in the final seconds was “Lord do not hold their sin
against them, they know not what they do.” His eyes on Jesus, his main focus
that Jesus would take him to heaven, and he was not disappointed. He knew his
enemy was not the crowd although they were hostile, he knew his enemy was Satan,
and the only one who could and did defeat him is Jesus. He went out with a
winner as a winner. And we can do the same thing.
Know our unity can only be in the spirit, not in anything of man. We will
not win every race, every confrontation, but we will share in the trophy Jesus
won on the cross. I still get the eye sometimes when on my Street Triple, those
who know them respect them, those who don’t learn a lesson. But it is the races
I don’t engage in that I still win, I don’t want to be embarrassed or embarrass
the guy next to me. I may see the cop behind me, he may not. My ego doesn’t
need massaging or another ticket. I have found like Steven did, my confidence
is in Christ. Yes I still like to go fast, to wind it out, 115 in third is fast
to me, but I have won the only race that really counts, I have defeated death
and in Jesus Christ. He gets all the bragging rights, I get to go to the
victory party. When you finally realize who your competition is, it will change
how you race, how you view victory or defeat. Our race is not against each
other, but a spiritual one Jesus has already won. Against evil. When we get
that, we are all winners....so what do you think of that!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com