For a biker, there is no better feeling than busting down the highway on two wheels with your brothers and sisters around you. Whether it’s heading out on a week-long road trip, or simply a Sunday ride to some restaurant in the next town, the destination is far less important than the ride.

On the other hand, there is hardly a feeling worse than watching your brothers and sisters ride away, leaving you behind.

One Saturday, there were four charity events in four different towns we were trying to attend in a single day. This does not happen very often, but on rare occasions it simply cannot be avoided. While visiting all four destinations would be somewhat difficult, we were committed to attending each one for at least an hour or two.

Regrettably, on this particular day, I had other ministry obligations and would not be able to ride.

Early on the morning in question, I stepped out onto my back porch with a cup of coffee in my hand and contemplated the day’s events. The weather was perfect, my brothers and sisters were riding, and because of my responsibilities, I was going to be left behind.

I was feeling a little put out by the situation and I began to run differing scenarios through my head. Could I ride for a little while and still make my appointment in time? Could I drive to the first event in my truck and donate a little money? Could I just ride my motorcycle to my appointment and join the group afterwards?

Knowing where I had to be and the importance of the day, I decided to focus on my other ministry commitments and forget the motorcycle. At least I still had enough time to drive over to where the group was staging and see them off.

Our usual meeting place was a parking lot next to Food Lion on Hwy 25 North in Greenwood South Carolina. A lack of other  businesses in the strip mall equates to very few cars in the area, so we have plenty of space to safely park our motorcycles.

When I arrived, several of my brothers and sisters were already onsite standing around smiling and happy. I climbed out of my pickup and hugged them all one by one. They expressed their disappointment in my not being able to spend the day with them, but in the end, it could not be helped.

As the time approached for their departure, I walked back to my truck and they mounted their machines. I hung out there for a few moments and watched as they fired up their bikes, rolled toward the parking lot exit, and disappeared over the next hill. I have never felt so alone...

Left behind…

God’s word tells us that we all have decisions to make, and those decisions will dictate where we spend eternity. We can either choose to follow God and ride away with his children to eternal life with him, or we can go our own way and wind up left behind.

Being left behind on a motorcycle ride is bad enough, but it doesn’t compare to eternal separation from God. Likewise, riding out on motorcycles with friends is wonderful, but it will never hold a candle to eternity in Heaven with Jesus.

Those of us who are sure of our salvation are smiling and happy just like my brothers and sisters who were going on the ride. Those who have not trusted in Jesus are like me that day, feeling alone and discarded.

Don’t wait until it’s too late, make your choice while there is still time. You may not have tomorrow, and you don’t want to be left behind!

Matthew 24:40-44 New Living Translation: “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Riding for Jesus!

Dennis