1600 Miles And a Few Thoughts

Dave and I completed the Butt Burner 1500 mile ride yesterday. We had to make 1500 miles in less than 36 hours. We made it. I ended up with 1,600 miles. Dave ended up with 1,630.

We won.

We beat the elements. It rained on us from Westphalia, MO to West Plains, MO. Then it was kind of overcast until about Jonesboro, AR. Then the sun came out and it turned hot. On the way back it was hot and descent until we got to about Sikeston, MO. It got overcast and cold. Neither Dave nor I got rained on until he passed Kingdom City west on I70 and I turned Southwest on 54.

We won against our machines. I lost a bolt that secures my windshield somewhere between Tennessee and Mississippi, literally. It was on the border between the two states that I my windshield got weird. It sent me to the nearest Walmart where I had to buy the equipment I needed to fix it.

We won against stubborn credit card companies. You'll have to ask Dave about that one.

We won against ourselves. After the rain and windshield and the other delays, we made it to New Orleans around 11:00 pm. About 4 hours later than what we wanted. I was tempted to eat the $60.00 I had paid for the motel reservation just to find the nearest place to bunk out for the night. We decided to push on and find the hotel, which we did. And I'm glad we did. We crossed a bridge on the expressway that gave us an amazing view of the beautiful city of New Orleans lit up in the night sky. It was truly amazing. And the ride back in the daylight the next morning from the motel was spectacular, too.

We won against all of the challenges we met along the way. We worked it out, step by step, discussing what was the next course of action and making a decision based on our shared insight and needs. We hung together. We supported each other, lifted each other up. It was good to have a partner to share the journey with, the good and the bad.

We made it.

It's interesting some of the things you think about when you're on a bike for 28 hours.

I noticed some interesting things at our stops. In some of the places we stopped for lunch or gas, I could see real apprehension on people's faces. They would see me walk in in my leather chaps and vest, and I could just tell they were uncomfortable. As soon as I turned my back, however, and people saw "Road Riders for Jesus" on my patch with that red cross, the tension would melt away. It was like, once they saw that, they might as well have said out loud, "Oh, Christian. Whew!" There were more smile-filled, relaxed conversations once people saw that I ride for Him.

This made me reflect on 2 things. First, people have an idea of what Christians are supposed to be about. They knew we weren't going to cause trouble. They knew we were "safe." When their relief was especially noticeable, I wanted to say, "Don't let the patch fool you. I'm still a biker." That would have just been my pride, though!

People have an idea of what Christians are supposed to be, right or wrong. I think of Paul's quandary when it came to eating meat sacrificed to idols. Don't give scandal to those whose faith is weak. That was the second thing on my mind during those times on the trip when I wanted to be less than kind, less than patient, maybe a little boastful, arrogant, or rude, maybe even (when I was most tired) a little irritable with Dave who is a great travelling partner. Being Christian means loving one another. We witnessed by our perserverence and fellowship despite the hardships of the journey.

Perseverence and fellowship despite the hardships of the journey.

Sounds like a nice allegory for our Christian life, doesn't it? I hope that I can bring that same relief, that same release from fear and apprehension, that same sense of confidence and peace to everyone I meet, perservering in fellowship (with all my brothers and sisters in this Iron Butt ride of life) despite the hardships of the journey.