Getting Protective Gear

As we are heading out of Summer into Fall, I am fully aware that it will be getting cold. Since I bought my motorcycle for commuting to work, I knew a good quality jacket would be important. Therefore, I first started by checking with some friends for advice; then I went to the internet; and finally I went to the motorcycle shops. The above jacket was my choice because it will allow me to get longer wear out of it.

Why do I like this jacket? It is waterproof. It has a zip out liner. It has body armor in it. It has vents in the front and back. It is a jacket that offers protection from the cold and protection from the road. The material is made from a "hypertex" textile. In addition, it provides plenty of room to wear another layer underneath the jacket if needed. When I put it on this morning (50% chance of rain), I felt less bothered by the wind then I have with anything else.

This reminds me of the verse in 1 Peter 1:13 that the men in our Bible study looked at a few weeks ago. It says: "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

The goal (command) in this verse is to fix your hope completely on Jesus Christ's second coming. The means to do such a thing requires two things: preparing your minds for action & keeping sober in spirit.

In riding my motorcycle, the goal is to make it from point A to point B safely. In order to accomplish this, I must keep my mind keenly aware of the potential dangers and I must keep my body protected from the elements. If I become distracted by a jacket that is blowing up like a parachute, then I will probably become less aware of a car pulling from a side street. This could potentially keep me from making it safely to point B.

As a Christian, I need to be constantly ready for what happens in this life by preparing my mind with the Word of God. Otherwise a trial in life will get my attention and I will stop focusing on my hope of salvation. Too many Christians have a life that is constantly distracted because they don't spend the time in God's Word and prayer.