When I think of freedom, the motorcycle slogan comes to mind, “It’s time to ride”. There are many variations on the theme, however, for me the idea of freedom and being out on two wheels are forever linked.
As I wake, thinking of the day ahead and the freedoms that come with it, my memories drift back to an epic ride seven years ago through Taroko National Park in Taiwan. Friends on scooters with M13 as a guide heading up into and over the mountains. Before it was over, we had experienced sun, storms, hail, and even a blinding snowfall at the summit. On the way up we stopped for a break. As I stood looking out over the valley, I knew it was a special moment that would be forever etched on my soul.
Even now as I look back, the moment is fresh, vibrant, and inspiring. I understood hope on that roadside. I knew what it was to be alive. Freedom was more than a word. It was a way of living in the moment. On that day, I experienced the wonder of freedom accepted with community and care. I also faced a nightmare when I carelessly abandoned my role as the group’s sweeper (the final rider with the responsibility to help anyone in need).
There are multiple lessons in freedom that have stayed with me since that day. The extremes of freedom at its best and darkest was a modern replay of an old spiritual observation; “I’m using this freedom language because it’s easy to picture. You can readily recall, can’t you, how at one time the more you did just what you felt like doing – not caring about others, not caring about God – the worse your life became and the less freedom you had? And how much different is it now as you live in God’s freedom, your lives healed and expansive in holiness?” (Romans 6.19)Today is an open and unexplored road. I will let the road come to me, live with the flow, and respond with compassionate kindness.
