Ever hear anyone say he’s “hell on wheels”? For many who live to ride, that pure, 100% reckless abandonment is what it’s all about. Bikin’ involves risk (why, even the rocket guys are called “squids” ’cause that’s the sound they make hittin’ a tree at one-fifty!); and truth be told, bikers’ death rates are seven times higher than cages! It’s like death stalks every twist of the throttle!
So, what do you think happens after the Grim Reaper puts his boney fingers around your neck? Some say that they don’t know or even care about it while others crow “I’m hell-bound and proud of it!” A few go to their graves flippin’ off the world as a final shot (“Let’s party-hearty all the way to hell, and we’ll party-hearty there, too!”); several get “religionî”along the way–you know, doin’ all those good things like charity rides and such–hopin’ that’s gonna take care of things with “the Man upstairs”; and too many try to hang on to that which ain’t gonna last anyway (why, I’ve even heard of some guys wantin’ to be buried on their rides with hands sewn to the grips!).
C’mon, man. Why spend a lifetime trying to be coolóboozin’, gettin’ high, and tradin’ ol’ ladies like used cars–only to be had in the end? None of these work ëcause it’s cheatin’ time for the Reaper–the clods of dirt still thump loudly against the coffin’s lidóand all that’s left is a tombstone with a name, some dates, and a few words. Then comes another worry, and that’s “hell after wheels!” But, is there anythin’ better? You bet there is! God’s gotta great ride from the womb to the tomb! Look at this:
You made me inside and out in my momma’s belly – skin and bones and blood and all my body parts. . .You formed me in the finest detail when I was made in secret; why, it was as if You embroidered me in all kinds of different COLORS. . . (Psalm 139:13, 15)
Did you catch what it said – God calls us His COLORS! We all know what our own colors are about – what they represent and how we’ll defend them to the end. Hey, man, life is more than “hell on wheels”, and that’s ’cause there’s more to livin’ than getting smashed or stoned or havin’ some woman. We are God’s special creation – His COLORS!
It’s high time to think about “hell after wheels.” You see, there are a few undeniable facts: one, we are alive now; two, we will die one day; and, three, after we die, we’ll spend a long time somewhere. Somewhere? Yeah. Long time? Yeah. Today or tomorrow we’ll be meat for the worms, and we’ll go either to heaven or to hell forever. And hell ain’t a good place, friend; in fact, it’s not like those flames on your patches and bikes. Jesus said it was a “furnace of fire” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” – kinda like a blast furnace where pain and suffering will never end!
But men don’t have to go to hell. God cared enough for His COLORS to send His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross so they could go to heaven. Why’d he have to die? ‘Cause those same COLORS had flipped off God! So someone had to make things right–the piper has to be paid, and it’s either Jesus or us puttin’ down the cash! That’s quite a price He paid for God’s COLORS. But you’re worth a lot – like the Bible says, God “embroidered you in many colors!î” Accept His gift – trust in Jesus Christ with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, turn away from your sins, and live a life of respect to the One who paid for those COLORS.
One day, God’s COLORS will be on display–a parade of bikers and ol’ ladies cruisin’ along all shiny and new! Hey, you may be “hell on wheels” now but don’t miss out on “heaven after wheels” later! Peace, man – God’s peace – be with you.
Copyright (c) 2005 CrossWind Ministry
