Life, some sportbikes, and a tunnel

[chaplain220]

I was control riding at Jennings recently, (obviously they haven't seen my lap times, but the stickers sure make me look fast).  Anyhow, later that day we learned that a friend who owns a local motorcycle shop died from an unexpected stroke.  Soon after, I was following up with some of da Mid-Atlantic boyz, and found out that a couple of our racing bros are facing some serious health struggles, including several recent posts.  You don't even know what to say when life gets so confusing and...scary. But I was looking through some pics of a recent trip up north, where I met a couple bros that share my love for chasing trains on crotch-rockets, and realized this presents an opportunity for a short sermon, (Gee, surprise, surprise), which I hope helps.

Ahem..."The light at the end of the tunnel".



As men we often define ourselves through the labors of our hands, and the opinions of others. For much of our early lives this seems to be perfectly normal, we reap the fruit of hard labor and take satisfaction in knowing that through our jobs, family and friends our lives have purpose. We begin to feel like we understand the world around us, maybe even start to get good at what we do, feeling like we are on top of our game, when just out of view lurks a difficult trial of darkness.



But then we become disappointed, not really sure if we are the man we are supposed to be, or want to be.  It's almost like wandering in darkness, as you feel lonely, struggling with money, or the things which were once so sure, jobs, friends, marriages, relationships and health, can all become dangerously unstable. It can even be our own lust, porn or other addictions that leave us feeling weak, out of control, and like dirt. We get angry, angry at ourselves and each other and scoff at the idea of God. Why are we stuck in this rut? Why didn't this thing work out? How come I don't have what I see others around me with? Why am I like this?

So we turn to our culture for help. More stuff, new stuff, hitting the gym, lottsa work, hide the addictions better, get counseling. And for a while it looks like things are getting brighter, a glimmer of light begins to grow in the darkness. We push harder, turning to our strength and power of will and cleverness to keep things going and truly, now, the light grows brighter!



But one day the wifes gone, the girlfriend left, the relationship with our kids becomes heavily damaged. The secret is out, the cleverness has failed, our body becomes weak or broken, and all our outward attempts to climb, grasp and shape a life to match our expectations, fall terribly short, truly that once bright light shrinks against the backdrop of the monster it heralds.



Broken and uncertain, life becomes a despairing rollercoaster ride of anger, self-pity and short lived vigor to again pursue the lies of our culture. God??!  You want to talk to me about God?! What would God want with a person like me, and what's He ever done for me anyway?!

We often don't realize the powerful effects of suffering and hardship.  How many of us would not have learned to have compassion for others, or we wouldn't have taken the time to evaluate what really matters to us, without experiencing suffering, painful trials and disappointment ourselves?  How much greater the love for people begins to grow as opposed to the love of a thing or a title. And we learn the difference between love and lust. Strange how the choices we make and the things we work so hard at, ultimately fall short, almost like...something we need to make us complete is missing in our life.  It would make sense, if God really is God, that our identity and character does not develop to its fullest without knowing Him, who He is and what it means to have a Savior...It would mean purpose in life, forgiveness, wisdom and self-control. True, people still die and relationships can fail, even when we pray, but though the darkness may still seem close and the struggles continue, through faith in God there is hope.  Hope that extends beyond physical life, and when we realize that we are not alone, there settles in...peace.  Chaplain220.

[Cowboy 6]

This is a timely post Art. We are all struggling with something in our lives. It is good to be reminded that we don't have to face our troubles alone.

[2old2fat2slow]

This is why I love Art and Joe and all the good Christian soldiers I choose to associate with. A message of hope in a hopeless age. These times are kicking all of us while we are down. I remember a time in my life where I felt hopeless and downtrodden. I now have the love of my Heavenly Father and the sacrifice of my Savior ,Jesus Christ to give me hope and peace. I implore any of you that are experiencing a rough time to turn to Him that created everything. Let the Love of Christ take your burden away. I am available day and night to talk to anyone that needs a friend. 703-447-9085. I know Art and Joe feel the same way. Thanks Art!!  I'll leave the preaching to you now! LOL