Faith | God knows if a ‘heart’s desire’ is in our best interest
As a young man during the motorcycle horsepower wars of the 1970’s and ‘80’s, I was amazed to watch the technological improvements in speed, horsepower and performance.
In 1985, the Yamaha V-Max won the battle. It was fast, good looking and uniquely styled. Oh, how I wanted one. I enjoyed other road bikes in the ‘80’s, but I yearned for a V-Max. Nothing else would do.
As a newly married college student with a child on the way, a V-Max was not in the cards just then. The budget was devoted to education, starting a family, and buying that first home.
Along came the 1990’s. We had a bigger house, full of small children and I couldn’t really justify the purchase of a speedy bike. Then the 2000’s came along. I had the money, however, we also had a houseful of five teenage sons. I did not feel it wise to have a fast motorcycle that I wouldn’t let them ride due to their youth and lack of experience.
Eventually the teens all left the nest, the house was paid for, and we had a few nickels in our pockets to rub together. Then COVID-19 happened, and that motorcycle I had yearned for in the preceding 35 years presented itself at a very reasonable price, with very low miles and in very good condition. With my wife’s blessing, I bought the V-Max I had always dreamed of owning.
Fast-forward about two months — with a mere few hundred miles on the bike — I realized it wasn’t really what I wanted. The motorcycle didn’t have a lot of range. I couldn’t ride from my home in Burbank Heights to Palouse Falls round trip on a tank of fuel, and there was nowhere to get gas along the way.
Sure, the V-max was fast; and it looked great and drew attention around town or cruising Columbia Park. However, it was uncomfortable to ride more than 40 miles at a time. It wasn’t fuel injected and was temperamental until fully warmed up. It was heavy in the front end.
What good was that rated top speed of 150 mph or more, and 120 horsepower if you were afraid to drive that fast and risk a ticket or fatal accident on any public roads? I had no access to a private paved road long enough to be comfortable at 100+ mph anyway.
After two years I sold the once-yearned-for V-Max and got something with a smoother ride, further range, and more comfort.
This whole experience caused me to ponder how I thought I knew what I wanted — over many years — but once I had it, I did not really want it.
I also thought about God, and about how he knows what is best for us in the short or long run. He knows what we need better than we will ever know.
A classic Old Testament story in 1 Samuel, chapters 7-8 — I call it the “Samuel principle.” The Israelites wanted a king like all their heathen neighboring nations. They rejected Samuel’s leadership.
The people begged Samuel to choose a king to rule over them. Samuel recounted to them the evils of a king, but they would not listen. Samuel was brokenhearted about it, and felt like a total failure.
In 1 Samuel 8:7, God told Samuel “… for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me.” God then instructed Samuel to anoint a king for them like they wanted, knowing it would be to their detriment. He knew they would learn that lesson for themselves—the hard way—as an entire nation.
In my own way, that V-Max taught me the “Samuel principle” on a personal level, although it did not cost me as dearly as it did the Israelites.
It is a lesson I think of often: God knows what is best for me and what I need, more than I ever will.
Guest Spiritual Life writer Michael Scrimsher is Youth Leader, Pasco Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
