God Said, "Let’s Ride"

A couple of years ago my daughter Lauren gave me a tee shirt for Father’s Day, a nice biker’s shirt, black with orange graphics highlighting the white text: “God Said LET’S RIDE” in large print with the scripture reference “1 Kings 18:44” directly beneath it with “He clearly prefers 2 wheels for transportation”, and separated by an orange line, the admonition “Remember His admiration when your fuel shows “E”, you’ve swallowed more bugs than air, your butt fell asleep 100 miles ago, and it just started to rain.”  I love that shirt and it’s fun thinking that God would smile on my 2 wheeled travels.  It also nice to think that someone close to me, in the family, takes an interest and gives a nod of support to something I’m doing that I like and that maybe God is in it as well.  If you have someone you love that is doing something they like but that may be a bit on the edge, don’t miss a chance to surprise them with a little nod of support.  Who knows what a blessing the whole thing could turn into?

I know that some of you, particularly the theological powerhouses that may read this, will look up the scripture.  To be sure, it is taken completely out of context but I assure you it is completely for fun and when I wear the shirt, riding or not, occasionally doors open for conversation.  This is the section of 1 Kings where Elijah has spoken the Word of the Lord and brought a terrible drought on Israel because “Ahab has done more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him” (17: 30). Elijah called down the drought and the Lord hid him in the wilderness because he was the last prophet alive from Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, who killed the others and the pair set up the worship of Baal whom Israel turned to.  Elijah stayed with a widow and her family by God’s direction and supported her and her family with the jar of flour that was never used up and the jug of oil that never ran dry until Elijah called down the rain. In the third year of the drought Elijah ordered Obadiah, a faithful servant of the Lord in Ahab’s house, to bring Ahab to him.  Then Elijah defeated the 450 prophets of Baal with the miracle sacrifice and had them slaughtered. It was then that Elijah ordered the rain and gave the order to Ahab in chapter 18 verse 44 when Elijah’s servant reported the cloud as small as a man’s hand was rising from the sea to “Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”  Elijah spoke it, Ahab responded, God gave a small sign that He was about to answer Elijah’s prophecy, and Elijah ran with it.

Yes, I revel somewhat in that “God said LET’S RIDE” and in particular when I’m about to ride to something somewhere I feel God is sending me. To be sure, it is pretty humbling to read on where after Ahab obeys and rides off to Jezreel that “The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” (18:46) Even though He may bless the use of 2 wheels, 4 wheels, boats, planes, or trains; He clearly prefers us to have His power come upon us and lead the way.  God wants us moving, being filled with His power, and doing His will.  I think someday that I will make a bucket list of sorts for things to do on my Victory, hope and pray they are blessed, and get to work on them. Oh, what the heck, let’s get that started right now:

V  Ride PAR’s path of discovery (that will be found in the story that I’m writing)

V  Go to the granddaddy of all biker’s weeks at the Sturgis Rally

V  Go to Street Vibrations in the “Biggest Little City”, Reno

V  Take a charity ride

V  Find some brother and sister riders and see where it takes me

V  Open the book Daniel gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago “Great American Motorcycle Tours and to go for it

V  Dream up PAR’s next adventure, write it, and ride it

V  Wear the long-sleeved Life’s Good tee shirt with the cruiser motorcycle on the front that Cindy gave me whenever I ride and need the long sleeves

That should keep me busy just praying for His guidance for it all. 

My prayer for you my friend? To hear God say “Let’s Ride” and that you get up and go.