Riding With Christ

I suppose that riding for Christ doesn't make as much sense as riding with Christ.  Then again, to those that don't believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of the One True God, even that doesn't make much sense.  Let me explain as best as I can using feeble words.

I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, that He died to pay the debt that must be paid for my sins.  I know that I am His child, just has He is my Savior.  I know that because of this relationship, that God looks upon me with favor and blesses me.

Further, I believe that because I am in God's loving hands, that He will watch over me and protect me from evil and harm.  I know that because I trust God in all things there is nothing to fear on this earth.  I believe that when I ride, my God smiles on me and looks kindly upon me- He alone will protect me.

I know all of these things because it is written in God's own words in the Bible.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.  Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."
John 3:16-18

God has blessed Gloria and me with a Harley Davidson, 2004, Electra Glide Ultra Classic and the ability to ride it.  The bike is fuel injected and fully dressed out with CD stereo radio and CB radio.  With plenty of cargo space, a luggage rack (for stuff that accumulates along the way), and loads of touring power, this Harley is ready for the road.

Thus far, I've taken two long rides.  In 2003 I rode solo to Baltimore, Maryland by way of Harold, Kentucky.  In 2005 I rode solo to Orlando, Florida by way of Dunnelon, Florida. To Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2009 and a fun ride with a co-worker to Dallas, Texas.  It was a fun ride because he was on his Gold Wing and we chatted by CB radio along the way.

The ride to Baltimore was cold, rainy, and miserable from Austin, TX all the way to Baltimore.  I thought that I would never get there, but get there I did.  I rode through some beautiful parts of America.  I stayed a couple of days in South East Kentucky with my cousin Teri and her husband Dave- both Harley riders.  The ride back was sunny and hot.  Overall, I encountered the elements in the form of high winds and driving rains along with various road hazards.  I got off track a couple of times, but I was never lost.  I know without a shadow of doubt that Christ was with me every inch of the way.  Without His protection and intercession, I would never have made the trip in one piece.

The ride to Orlando was much easier and more direct- Interstate Highway  10 most of the way.  The weather was much more agreeable even if it was January.  The temperatures were mild with only a little rain to deal with.  U.S. Highway 19 skirts along the Florida Gulf Coast and is one beautiful stretch of four lane, divided highway.  The highway is lined with old oak trees covered in Spanish moss.  There is not much traffic on US19 because the shinny new interstate IH75 bypasses US19 and all of the small southern towns along the way.  The approach to the tunnel just outside of Mobil, Alabama got my heart pounding as did the bridge across the bay to Pensacola, FL.  This excursion, however, was without breath-taking incidents of the Baltimore trip.  Christ's presence was evident, however as He blessed me with great weather, a number of friendly people that I met along the way, and terrific roads.

The price of gas, in 2012, being as high as it is, I have taken to commuting the 72 miles back and forth to work on the Harley.  The ride is exhilarating on cool mornings and I enjoy watching the sun rise in the mornings and set in the evenings.  The best part is that I get to ride most days and save a load on gas.  

We give praise and glory to God, to His Son Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit for the blessing of a fine Harley Davidson machine and the time to ride and enjoy it.