So Many Ways

Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror,
but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but
then I will know everything, completely, just as
God knows me now.
1 Corinthians 13:12-13
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If only we had a looking glass and could see the future, but then, I don't think we would really want one. I don't think I would have bought a motorcycle if I had seen myself in the ditch on the first day I had it. I don't think I would have ridden it if I'd known it would take over three weeks for my knee to heal up after riding it into that ditch. Looking ahead, although we say we would like to be able to see, it may not be what we would really like to do at all.

Looking back now, it is much more fun for me to see God putting the pieces in place. To see His hand on all things, and how He can use something as "crazy" as a motorcycle to bring people together for fellowship and a time of growing closer to Him.

As we hit the road a couple of weeks ago, I handed over the key for my motorcycle to a friend. The joy on his face was worth leaving it behind. Today, he returned it and it sits outside our door as I write this. Our friend, having just left with Jim, spent some time here with us visiting. It again reminds me what an awesome God we serve.

As we sat talking, we all realized that we would not be having this conversation at this moment in time if the motorcycle had not been a part of it. It brought us together and we were all learning things that we never would have learned had we not been together.

God says where two or more are gathered, He will be there also. He sure was!! As we talked about our lives and the work God is doing in them, we begin to share things that were so similar. Things that probably most Christians deal with daily, and we were finding that God works so similarly in our lives. Our friend is walking a very different path than we are walking with our travels, but still, God is asking Him for the very same thing...obedience. Obedience that brings the ultimate joy! Obedience that will lead him along a straight path following God's will for his life.

We laughed together, and we were serious together and we prayed together about all that God has planned, and we ended this little get together--I believe, just that much closer to our God than ever before.

As our time together came to an end, and I thought of that motorcycle sitting outside on this beautiful sunny day, I thought if I sold it tomorrow, it would have been worth it. If our time together was the purpose of the weekend training course, the actual getting of my motorcycle license and the one ride home from the dealer before I crashed it in a ditch, it would all be worth it. Just for this time with our friend and drawing closer to God through it.

Can it really be that simple? Can God really use a motorcycle to teach us important things in life? I believe so. I believe God will use anything, anywhere, anytime, and even if we can't see with "perfect clarity" what He is doing, it doesn't stop God. He keeps right on working in our lives. Even if what we "know now is partial and incomplete," it is not to God. He sees the beginning from the end, and only asks that we follow Him through each day.

If everything that has happened with this motorcycle was just for this moment in time, this time of fellowship, then it has been a great blessing that I would not have wanted to miss.

I don't know what the future holds, or even the rest of the day, but I know what God has already done. He has shown us without a doubt that He is working here, He is active here, and He will use things that society might call crazy or even dangerous for His Kingdom work.

I want to ride again, and we are about to do just that for the first time after hurting my knee in the "crash." I will once again take this motorcycle up this driveway and see if I can accomplish a simple turn onto the road that leads us out of this place. God-willing, I will complete the turn this time and enjoy this new experience of riding my own motorcycle--and if, when the day is done, that one ride is enough for me and I'm called to hang up my helmet, I will always remember the experience of owning and riding a motorcycle as a great blessing because of the fellowship we enjoyed today because of it.

Living in His peace and joy,
Diane

P.S. A final update on this whole scenario...I rode and I lived to ride again!