Lessons From The Road

Lessons from the road

I went on my first motorcycle vacation a few weeks ago. Ron and I were heading up to Traverse City Michigan from LaPorte Indiana. It was a Tuesday morning and we were packing up to go. It was a beautiful and a hot morning. I quickly decided to not take my heavy motorcycle jacket and grabbed a lighter street coat.

We started up the coast of Lake Michigan. It was so beautiful with the sun shining and light traffic. We were just north of South Haven that I started to get cold. We were in the trees and the air was damp and the breeze on the bike was chilly. We pulled over and I put on my red leather jacket and we set off. We stopped and got gas and headed up 31.

The road was grooved and the wind kicked up in a fierce way as we changed directions. I found my coat working like a sail. The wind rushing up my arms and pooling in my coat. Combined with the grooved roadway I found myself in a precarious situation surrounded by big trucks and not able to go the speed limit safely. With my heart pounding and Ron far ahead I decided to pull off in the rest area and change into my rain gear jacket.

With wrists securely fastened and no longer a little red sail it was much better. Yet the wind continued to push and pull at me. I found that fighting the wind didn’t help. It wasn’t strong enough to blow me over. With a little adjustment I was fine. What I really needed to do was relax into the wind. I needed to trust that I was safe, the weight of the bike, the laws of speed and gravity. The wind wasn’t going to change, but I could change how I dealt with it. I eased off my grip on the bars and settled into the pace and direction of the wind and took what came. I prayed and relaxed.

It became a fun trip with beautiful weather and the glorious landscape of Northern Michigan. It was a trip of physical perseverance as exhaustion set in miles from our hotel destination. But I learned a great deal on that first day of my first motorcycle vacation.

The right gear and tools are essential. We may balk at the price of equipment, but the correct equipment is important. As Christians we need the right equipment as well, and we need to use it. I learned that trying to force change on the unchangeable, or that I which have no control over is useless and exhausting. As Christians we must realize that we do not have the control, but only God and our will or response to his grace. We cannot force our way through, but we need to relax, loosen our grip, use our gear properly and see the beauty around the buffeting winds of life. Emboldened with the promises, and word of God, strengthened through the Spirit we ride. Life hits and slaps at us, but when wearing God’s grace, his armor, and his love we ride through.

I pray for all of you that you loosen your grip and claim the promises of God. Trust in his love and grace and seek the beauty that is ever present. Life will push and pull you, but with the right gear and trust in the power of God you will enjoy the ride.

Sabbath Blessings, Ann