Back in 2001, I was driving along South Main Street in beautiful Greenwood, South Carolina on my way home from work. As I approached a traffic light, I noticed a guy on a BEAUTIFUL black and blue motorcycle just ahead of me making a right turn. Since I was in no real hurry, I also took a right and followed him. My hope was to get a better look at the motorcycle.

He rode through the next traffic light and then made a right turn into a medical park near our local hospital. I pulled in beside him and stepped from my vehicle.

We talked bikes for a few minutes, and I invited him on a couple of local rides, not thinking I would ever see him again.

Wrong! God had a plan…

From that day forward he and I have been almost inseparable. We have taken road trips together, our families celebrate holidays at each other’s homes, and he has been by my side during some terrible times. I won’t mention his name because he would be mad at me. I will just call him “JD”.

Now, on to my story.

JD is one of the most giving people I have ever known. Among other things, he has given away his used cars, paid for people’s groceries, bought computers for schools in Third World countries, and even given away more than a few motorcycles.

I have another good brother named Ricky.

Ricky was in a Contemporary Christian band that had played at some of our events. He was also a member of our church, and because he had one son in college and another one in high school, he was active with the youth group. Ricky had become a regular at some of our Bikers for Christ events, but he did not have a motorcycle. Since he had a young family, Ricky did not have a lot of extra cash.

One Sunday afternoon, JD called me and announced he had purchased a new motorcycle. He wanted to know If I knew anyone who may need his old black and blue one. Now he doesn’t actually “give” things away, he wanted five dollars for the bike. After a week of praying about it with my friend Randy, we decided to bless Ricky with JD’s old motorcycle.

The next Saturday morning, I loaded the motorcycle on my trailer, picked Randy up, and drove to Ricky’s house with the bike. When we arrived, we called Ricky out into the yard, and asked him if he liked it. He did.

“Well,” Randy said, “you need to buy it!”

“Man, I can’t afford that!” Ricky responded.

Then I asked him, “Have you got five dollars in your pocket?”

Ricky could not believe it! He was overwhelmed!

That’s when he told us about his prayer the night before…

Ricky said, as he was driving home, he was praying for God’s direction in his life. He figured he would be able to buy a motorcycle in roughly three years when at least one of his kids was out of college. He knew what he wanted, but he needed to know if motorcycle ministry was where he was supposed to be. He asked God to make it clear to him.

Then we showed up at his house the next morning with that bike. WOW!

He handed me five bucks and I gave him the signed title.

That was a little over ten years ago, and Ricky has since become a powerful messenger for God through the ministry of Bikers for Christ. Because of him, our chapter has grown immensely, and many people have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

If I had not followed JD that day in 2001, Ricky may not be where he is today in his walk with God. Even ten years before I met Ricky, God’s plan was in motion.

Also, Ricky didn’t pray a selfish prayer for a motorcycle, he prayed for God to give him clear direction. God answered that prayer.

God puts people in our paths for a purpose. Maybe it’s for our benefit, or maybe it’s for them, we may never know the reason. Just be sure that you never take a chance encounter with another person for granted. It may change someone’s life for the better. Also, when you pray, make sure that God’s will is the focus, and not selfish desires for worldly things.

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."