David and I always got along, a sort of respectful respect for our
differing views. But one thing we agreed on was BMW motorcycles, I had just
arrived in Albuquerque on my R90S, from Jersey, and his family owned the
multi-brand dealer there who sold BMW’s. He was a skilled rider, a self trained
engineer, and could tune by ear better than most with the specs. He hand built
a dyno and could provide jetting and tune up specs for any place you lived at
any altitude. I watched as he used to be a field rep for Champion spark plugs,
reading plugs and making adjustments in the pits at a motocross race. All
things I could not do, I just rode. I hadn’t seen him for over eight years and
on a trip back to Albuquerque stopped in to see the new models. Three cylinders
mounted sideways and laying on their side on the frame, and fuel injected.
Just out of the crate, “would I like to be the first to ride one?” As he tossed
me the keys before I could answer. But this new modern bike took some
instruction on how to start it. On my five previous BMW’s you turned on the
gas, tickled the carbs until the gas soaked your foot, pushed the starter and
hoped it would start, Varta batteries were junk then. Then let it warm
up.....no matter the temp. As David turned the key, and pushed the starter,
this new machine roared to life, “go, ride it,” and off I went. Twenty minutes
later coming back impressed, but a bit confused, a light had come on the dash, I
was on reserve but no petcock to turn. What the.....
And that was how I was introduced to the future of riding motorcycles with
fuel injection. No more physically turning on reserve, now a light would direct
you. And with the old BMW style of two petcocks you always had a reserve of
reserve, now it was a light you hoped was as electronically accurate as the old
style was physically. His “oh by the way I forgot to mention the reserve
light,” was laughed at, then a new way to ride, now accepted on all bikes. But
in one ride I had learned a lot, and my starting procedure would never be the
same, as would be my time to get gas routine. Sadly I can tell you on some
bikes just how far to go until the light is still on, but the bike isn’t. Seems
progress was a good thing, it may have just gone on too long....
Now jus because you have a license doesn’t mean you know how to ride. Like
in life, you cannot teach motorcycling by a classroom technique, it must be
experienced. Once you get going you can learn to build speed, but whoever
practices panic breaking. Which may explain so many rear brake only Harley
riders sliding to a crashing stop instead of stopping upright. Or ending up on
the hood of the car in front of you. We used to play chicken seeing who could
go the fastest and slam on our brakes.....which in real life came in handy more
than once. But the more miles the more experience, and the more familiar you
become with riding. And for those who love to ride the education is another
excuse to just go for another ride. Even the greatest talents practice, their
level of expertise not reached until they do. So where does this leave a
Christian in today’s world? With various teachings and ways to become a better
Christian, where and when do we practice? And by whom are we taught.....
Galatians 5 tells us to walk in the spirit and you will not gratify the
flesh. Becoming a Christian is not accepting a new set of rules, it is
welcoming Jesus Christ into our hearts and yielding to the holy spirit. Just as
you cannot legislate love, you may know the rules, but it takes the spirit to
guide and protect. Although salvation is a one time event, walking in the
spirit is a daily one, here the word Paul uses tells us to walk around and
around with something, to journey. Sound like any rides you have been on? What
a difference the holy spirit makes in your day. More rules will not make you a
better Christian, only by walking in the spirit will. Memorizing verse may win
you a contest, it is the holy spirit that saves and changes lives. It was not a
set or rules that met Paul on the road to Damascus, it was the holy spirit, yet
we cling to rules as a sign of our salvation and God’s love. Remember how Jesus
told us he writes is words on our heart? We are to be set apart from the ways
of the world, which lives by rules, and called to live in the spirit that called
us to Christ. And as we listen more and more to the spirit, we become better at
hearing his voice and being led by his spirit. All the law of the Lord can be
said in one sentence, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Is your walk no better
than a scorecard of the day’s events and your reactions? Do you fall over the
smallest sins and hide them? But miss the objective. The holy spirit just may
be the original social media!
When Jesus comes into your life God just doesn’t throw you the keys to the
kingdom, hoping you make it. He gave us his spirit to guide and protect. To
know when to refuel and when to rest. When to stop, and how to stop. While
more studies, knowledge, and church seat time may look good, and aren’t bad,
without the spirit it is just religion, and a chance to brag on ourselves. Does
your walk reflect you or Jesus? Who does it give glory too, all you think you
know or who you know? Next time you think you are schooled in the scriptures,
engage an atheist, or a non-believer on the streets, and see how facts without
the spirit will fail. Absent the spirit, we are absent of God. See how
impressed they aren’t with your knowledge. But show love.....even the lost get
hungry and thirsty, lonely and tired. Jesus fed the 500 who showed up, not who
believed. Or had manners.
Jesus will give you a new starting procedure for your day. Seek him
first, then let him add in everything else. You may be a push button away from
a great ride or from pushing to a gas station. Everyday in life will become a
challenge, give yourself the advantage God offers. And when life throws you a
new set of keys, enjoy the ride, knowing the owner. Lead us not into
temptation, but let’s go for the ride! Of our life. Now that is one down and
how many up.....
And if you ask about my next ride, I’m just out practicing....I already
know the perfect. In life as in riding, it isn’t the size of your motor, but
who controls the throttle.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com