SIMPLE BY CHOICE; Monthly Devotional

from Carolina Chrome September Issue 168

More States Look to Pass Lane Splitting

I was talking with a good brother recently about how Harley Davidson went back to a simple cable clutch on their newer bikes and abandoned the long used hydraulic clutch system. Some folks love the plain cable clutch while others miss the ease of pulling back on the hydraulic model. While there is all kinds of speculation on why Harley made this change, I am willing to bet it came down to which one was least expensive. That conversation opened up a fairly long discussion on how complicated newer motorcycles are to operate as opposed to the older, simpler bikes we all grew up riding.

Bikes today have everything from onboard navigation to Bluetooth sound systems to traction control. If you find yourself in a traffic jam, your motorcycle may be equipped with the ability to turn off one of the cylinders which helps keep the engine cool. That annoying flashing light on the instrument panel may indicate you have low tire pressure, and you need to have it checked. Anti-Lock brakes work to keep the motorcycle from going into a slide if a text happy driver happens to pull out in front of you. With the click of a button, a rider can view all sorts of information on how the bike is performing at any certain time. All these things work together to make motorcycling more convenient and worry free, while keeping us safe and our machines in good working order. God also chooses to make things simple. In Old Testament times, there were 613 laws given by Moses to the 12 tribes who were wandering in the desert. If laws were broken, the people were then required to make daily sacrifices as restitution for their sinful behavior. Attempting to obey so many laws and offering that many sacrifices was not an easy task. God knew the people would never be able to keep up with all those requirements, and a simpler plan was already in the works.

Because He loved us, and in order make it easier, what did God do? He sent his only son as a one-time sacrifice of atonement that would cover the sin debt for everyone who would choose to follow him. No requirements, no work on our part, just a free gift for the taking. All you have to do is reach out to him, make a commitment, and He will change your life.

A choice to make salvation simple…

What an amazing God we serve!

Some of those modern conveniences, however, can cause us a great deal of problems. In 2018, six of us on Harley Davidson motorcycles left for a week and half ride to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Three of those motorcycles had the new water-cooled engines and none were more than a year old. On day two, the first water pump went out, on day three, the second water pump went out, and on day five, the third water pump went out. All three water cooled motorcycles required replacement water pumps on that one ride. We spent four days of our vacation sitting in Harley dealers waiting on bikes to be repaired at $800 to $1000 each. One of the dealers we visited informed me that those pumps are fine if all you do is ride around town, but I you take a long trip and ride it hard all day, there is a high probability it will fail. Talk about angry! I have since read the 2019 and newer bikes have better water pumps, but I will still not purchase a Harley Davidson that is equipped with water-cooled heads. Titus 3:4-7 NIV But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Ride on with Jesus!

So, while technology is a wonderful thing, sometimes a simple, no-frills, plain ‘ol motorcycle can be a blessing. No water pump to worry about, no annoying red or yellow lights flashing in your face, and no need for a 400-page book to help figure out the ungodly GPS or sound system. It could be that simplicity may not be such a bad thing after all.

There is a slogan used by the Airheads Beemers Club that I love. Most of these people choose to ride older air-cooled, easy to maintain, no frills BMW boxer motorcycles, and their national slogan is “Simple By Choice”.

Simple By Choice… What a great idea!