I think that if Christ would have become incarnate in my lifetime, Jesus would have been a biker. And no, its not all about the beard and the long hair either (though the imagery works real well). It’s about the way He presented life. Real life.
I was saddened a while ago hearing the response of a well meaning mother who was asked what her goals for her children were. She responded with something like, “I want to get my children safely through this life so that they can enjoy heaven forever.” At first glance that actually doesn’t sound so bad. But, is that all life is about? Just gritting our teeth and trying to not screw up on earth so that we can go to heaven? Is life about the destiny, or perhaps is it more about than that?
I spent all of last year with my small group doing an intensive inductive study of the gospel of John. We actually only made it to the end of chapter 4 in seven months. There’s a lot going on in John needless to say. One thing that struck me was Jesus talking non-stop about “eternal life”. It seems to be a recurring theme throughout the book of John. What is this “eternal life”? Is it something we look forward to in the future, or is it something we can enjoy in the here and now? Or is it both?
It’s important to note that the New Testament was not written in English. It was written in Koine Greek to a people who had different concepts that we do. They had no concept of unending time as we would think of “eternal”. “Eternal Life” in greek is transliterated as “Aionios Zoe”. This does not mean anything about life unending in a place called “heaven” as you were probably taught if you were brought up like I was. It is a relational quality of life (pertaining to God which affects how we relate to others) which starts in the current age (whatever time period you are living in right now) and transcends ages. And yes, it does include heaven as well.
I have in my possession, four vehicles. A Ford F-250 Superduty 4X4, a Ford Explorer, and a Ford Mustang GT (yes, it has a 5.0 V8 with cold air intake). Sorry Chevy and Dodge people. I’m a Ford guy. Oh, I don’t want to forget my favourite vehicle. It is a Suzuki Boulevard C109. A large motorcycle cruiser.
Each vehicle of mine has a purpose. The truck is for hauling tools and people to work and also sometimes for camping. It’s focus is all about the destination. The purpose ofthe SUV is to bring up to 8 people and whatever we can fit into the back of it from point “A” to point “B” in luxurious comfort and safety. The focus is the destination. The mustangs purpose is to bring up to 4 people from point “A” to point “B” really, really fast. Again, it’s about the destination, though this one makes getting there more fun. These three vehicles each have some kind of practical efficiency to them. And then there is the motorcycle.
Motorcycles are inherently impractical. You need good weather to ride. It takes time to put on your leather jacket, chaps, boots, helmet, gloves, hook up the mic system if you have a passenger. Only two people can ride at once, and with minimal luggage due to small saddle bags. It is a rare occasion that the environmental conditions are even comfortable where I live due to it being too cold, too hot, too windy, too much rain, too much hail, etc.). Before I start up the bike, being cognizant of having only two wheels between my keister and the pavement, I methodically check tire condition and pressure, check the undercarriage for leaks, check to make sure both front and back brakes are working, make sure all lights are functional. This is anything but efficient. I am a person who values German-like efficiency. So why is this my favourite vehicle?
Riding a heavy cruiser like mine is actually addicting. The scientific community has noted this and researched why this addiction exists. Apparently it has something to do with how the brain is affected when you are fully immersed into the experience of driving as you are on a motorcycle. You are completely exposed to the elements with an uninhibited view all around you and you need to be absolutely focused on what you are doing in the here and now if you wish to survive to ride again. It’s very different from driving a four wheeled vehicle. Also, its never about the destination. I don’t ride my bike just because I need to get from point “A” to point “B”. I ride for the sake of being immersed in the experience of riding. It’s about the journey. Destinations are simply an excuse for a journey. Perhaps the destination really is the journey. Just like life should be. Just like how Jesus taught us we should live. I don’t believe for a moment that life in heaven is a static existence. We will always be growing and learning and being healed throughout our existence. It’s simply a more real and vivid continuation of our life here in the physical realm.
If you are focused on the regrets of the past, you are not truly living. If you are worried about things that may or may not happen in the future, you are not living. If you are just gritting your teeth and trying to make it though the misery of this life, trying to impress God so that you can get to heaven, you are missing the point of life. Real life is about being aware of living within God’s all pervasive, loving presence. It’s about surrendering your ego to Him and letting Him love you so that you can pass that same love to everyone around you—here and now. It’s about letting Him bring you into a wide open space of freedom and largeness so that you can enjoy perfect relationship with the uncreated and partner with Him in bringing others into the same—here and now. It’s about making the world around you a better place. When Jesus prayed to the Father that “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, might I suggest that heaven isn’t just a far away place in a different dimension? Perhaps it is also a state of being. A status of relationship with God. One that starts now and transcends the physical. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life , and have it abundantly.” The Greek word rendered “abundantly” here is transliterated as “perissos” which means to be superior in quality and excessive. Wow! I could handle life like that!
Does that mean that we can live carelessly in the moment, not having a care of the future? Heck no. When I’m on the bike, I am living in the moment, but I’m also watching my gauges. Particularly the gas gauge. (Not so much the speedometer. My wife generally slaps the back of my helmet when I go too fast!). I’m watching road conditions, I’m watching for developing storms. I don’t actively look for unexpected hardship, though when I do run into it, it does shape me into a better rider. Living in the moment does not equal living irresponsibly.
I’ve noticed different kinds of drivers that I share the road with and the different kinds of responses that I get from them.
-Some watch me on my bike longingly, wishing they could live like I do, but are maybe scared to try.
-Some resent the freedom that bikes represent and give me dark looks, sometimes being inconsiderate road mates. These ones concern me a bit and I maintain distance from them.
-Some are completely oblivious of my presence and the freedom I enjoy. These ones I am cautious of as they are the most likely to run me off of the road.
-Then there are those who understand and embrace the freedom that I enjoy. They are the fellow bikers. Ever notice how bikers wave to each other as they pass on the road. We are aware of each other and support each other. Often I’m tempted to roll down my window even when I’m driving a four wheeled vehicle and do the biker wave. (That would be weird though). Even though I’m not always on the bike, I’m always aware of and appreciate the freedom of the journey that fellow bikers are on. The embracing of real life.
Do you feel like life is empty? Like you are missing out? Are you anxiously looking forward to how life could be someday? Are you worried about how life could be some day? Are your eyes focus on your rear view mirror with crushing regret? Are your eyes on yourself? Let go of all that and embrace the life that God has already given you in Jesus in the here and now. A here and now that will be there tomorrow, next year, a billion years from now. A life of trust, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and joy. You have it already. It is already yours, but can’t possibly enjoy what you have until you believe that it is yours and embrace it as such. So leather up, swing a leg over, turn the key and kick it into first gear. Enjoy the ride. The destination is the journey!
And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. —John 17:3