During a recent visit to the island of Martinique,
I couldn't help but notice a particular motorcyclist. It appeared that he
was trying to get everyone's attention, because even amidst heavy traffic,
he raced down the street, weaving in and out of traffic, on his back wheel,
with his front wheel up in the air. He was obviously trying to get
everyone's attention, and he succeeded. Everyone on the street was looking
at him, and their reactions were all the same: The reactions of the other
onlookers were all the same, however: "One day that man will have an
accident!"
Then came the next day. The biker no longer rode
down the street on one wheel. The newspaper headlines saddened me: A biker
was killed the previous day on the highway. I could only surmise that it was
the same bike...
The man who was killed was married with three
young children. He never even had time to say goodbye to his wife and
children. Was it really worthwhile for this man to show off on his
motorbike?
It is foolish to try to get people to notice us.
The "Look at me!" attitude will lead nowhere. Showing off will not satisfy
us, or anyone else for that matter. If we have our own agendas, we may miss
out on finding genuine love. Only Jesus can guide us to a life that will
satisfy: "I know that love, especially God's love, especially God's love, is
not in your working agenda." (John 5:42 MSG)
Remember: Our own agendas will never make us
happy. Only genuine love, the love that comes from God, will satisfy the
longing in our hearts. Next time we will find out how we can be fulfilled
with the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Rob Chaffart