I'm not much of a highway rider. I prefer the quiet country roads and twisties. That is what me and my Sporty are made for.
In light of that, the way home from a three-day ride to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, going 75 to 80 mph on the open highway with no windshield felt a little trying. The wind beat against me like a constant enemy, wearing me down. After about a hundred miles of that, my whole body was tense and tired.
Like I said, neither myself nor my bike are made for this.
But when we pulled off 64 west and onto 39, I was back on the country roads I love so much. My body began to relax. The pounding wind was gone, replaced by a much gentler cooling breeze. Then, when we rolled onto 42 , closer to Freedom, two BBQ brothers waved to us as their bikes roared by. It was as if a perfectly timed, "welcome home" had been arranged.
I was home, back on the roads where I belong. Every part of me eased into the bike and relaxed again.
Life can feel like those 100 miles, and it is easy to forget that we are not made for this world any more than I was made for that highway. We don't fit here because this is not our home. As much as we may try sometimes to make this world a comfortable place for Christians to live in, it will never feel like home.
Jesus said, in his prayer to the Father in John 17:14-17 (NIV),
"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."
This reminds me of a song we sing at Freedom, I'll leave you with those words to ponder as you begin your Monday morning.
Sometimes it feels like I'm watching from the outside
Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing but am I alive?
I will keep searching for answers that aren't here to find
All I know is I'm not home yet
This is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus
This is not where I belong
-"Where I belong" - Building 429
