People often ask me why I risk my life motorcycling. It is indeed a much more dangerous form of travel than cars, boats, and especially airplanes. There are far safer hobbies to be had. I’ve had my own brother question my relative sanity in making such a choice. Sadly, he’s probably not entirely wrong, but he’s missing something key to the answer of “Why?” Why don’t you just stop riding, since it’s so risky?
So let me shed some light on the subject. What he and others like him don’t know, is the amazingly visceral feeling that comes from the sport, and part of it is because we are that exposed; out in the open. There is a saying that “Four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul.” I think it emanates from the fact that this level of vulnerability also means we are at one with not only the machine we are on, but our surroundings. We see, hear, and smell (for better or for worse) everything around us. There is nothing better than driving past a bakery on the back of a bike. It is heavenly! Today’s cars have cabin air filters and are sealed extremely well. You’re just not going to experience what a motorcyclist does, and certainly not in the same way.
We have become a risk-adverse people. As a matter of fact, we have that same type of avoidance when it comes to talking about Jesus Christ, and His role in our life. How many of us are willing to step up, step out, and proclaim our love for our Creator? Now I’m not saying you’re terrible if you don’t, but you would think that we’d want to talk about something so pivotal and central to our being, and our spiritual health, would you not?
We are more than happy to talk to no end about cars, motorcycles, and even the type of coffee we like, but Jesus? Often our faith is something we shy away from sharing. Not that you want to be “over-saved”, as comedian Michael Jr. calls it:
So while you don’t have to be “that guy”, there’s nothing stopping you from sharing Christ’s message when it fits. That doesn’t mean force it into the conversation, but often when I have been brought into a deep, meaningful conversation, especially if it is dealing with how we treat each other, or where we go for our guidance, or how we make decisions in our lives, that naturally lends itself to bringing Christ into the conversation.
I talk about Him in very real, very tangible ways, also. It’s not a conversation of, “Well you know Jesus died for your sins, so therefore go and be free in Him!” It’s not FLUFFY, it is REAL. It is more of a “he’s the friend everybody can relate to” kind of conversation, instead of an off-putting, “sermon” type of discussion, where I end up sounding like I’m lecturing. Because I’m so very comfortable talking TO the Lord, and I also share that comfort ABOUT the Lord with others.
More often than not, my “risk” taking has been worth it, both on the bike and on the subject of Christ. I’ve successfully brought Jesus to work with me on many occasions; but never without someone first giving me that opening. It happens more often than you think, and I don’t think Jesus is going to let me wreck an opportunity to share His love with others; especially those that need to hear His promise the most. Go forth, and take the risk of opening up your heart about Jesus to someone! You’ll be glad you did!
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. — 2 Timothy 2:15
