A couple of my friends have been avid motorcyclists all their adult lives. They love the rumble of a big twin idling and the exhilaration of going through the curves at break-neck speed. These bikers have traveled all over the northwest enjoying its back roads and unparalleled scenery.
Clad in their black leather and boots, these hearty souls stopped at a local dive for a hot cup of coffee. It was cold outside and had been raining on and off, but their spirits were not dampened. In fact, they seemed to revel in the thrill of the adventure with its hardships.
Sitting around the table they shared stories about the stubborn bull moose they encountered on that two-lane highway that would not let them pass. They recalled riding the length of Vancouver Island and seeing five black bears on that stretch. One of them boasted about the time he chased three Ducati’s up Rattlesnake Grade in northeastern Oregon.
Yes, hardcore motorcyclists are a unique breed. But they also have some wisdom to share with us from the sport of motorcycling. One of the greatest dangers in flying through remote, curvy roads on two wheels is hitting debris on the road. A rock, a small animal, or other object in the road could mean a serious accident and a very abrupt end to a joy-filled ride.
But it’s the way to avoid hitting that debris that is so intriguing. One veteran motorcyclist put it like this, “If you’re ridin’ fast through mountain switchbacks and suddenly you see a rock in the road ahead, you have to force your eyes away from the rock and focus on the path you’ll take around the rock instead. Because if you focus on the rock, the bike will go where you’re looking, and you’ll hit the rock.”
For the rest of us, there are things on the “road of life” that we want to avoid. It may be a habit we’re trying to kick, a temptation, a past failure, or something negative or unpleasant in our lives. Using motorcycle wisdom, if we focus on that habit or temptation, we will fall prey to it. Instead, we need to focus our attention on a path around it. And that path around that obstacle in our lives involves keeping our eyes on Jesus. It does no good to focus on that habit or temptation telling ourselves, “I’m not going to do it! I’m not going to do it!” For surely, we will. Instead, focus on Jesus and He will provide a way around it so we can get that troublesome sin in our past.
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
Personal Application: What “debris” in your life right now is tripping you up? Instead of focusing on it, fix your eyes on Jesus. Trust Him to take you on a path around that obstacle.
Jim Grassi, D. Min. and Wendell Morton
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5