Cruising down the street the other day I passed a man with no designs on his shirt. And when I passed him by, he had none on the back either. And I'm thinking, what is this guy's problem, is he too cool for graphics? Who's sponsoring him? Or is he starting a new trend-a plain shirt with no graphics? Is that style or what?
Whether we want to admit it or not, the shirts we wear and what they say tell us a lot about ourselves. Just watch the next NASCAR winner, and as he thanks all his sponsors-Joe Blow Racing, Slimey Oil, Diet drink this or that, and always his mother, some guy in the background is busy handing him hats with the sponsors name on it for him to have on for the cameras. Years ago when I was involved with racing, the big sponsors didn't care if you won or lost. They were concerned about air time for their logo, and so if you crashed in turn one on lap one, but it was shown over and over-they were happier than if you had a podium finish. Extra points if it made crash of the week. And you thought it was racing-really it is just 200mph billboard.
And what you ride effects your attitudes also. On a cruiser, I can be Marlon Brando in the Wild One. Put me on my Scrambler and the Steve McQueen in me comes out. Or on a Daytona and I am Kenny Roberts, leading the pack at Daytona. Just don't put me on a dirt bike-I'll crash. So what we ride and what we wear really helps our image of who we are.
As Christians we are image conscious too. And some want to appear perfect, and some even pray that they want to be like the Lord. And it is a good thing that God doesn't take us at our word. For we really want to have a closer relationship, and gain some more of Jesus' attributes. Personally I don't want to be God. He has lousy hours, a poor customer base, and it is a full time job just being me. But Lucifer, or Satan, wanted to be like God. Read in Isaiah 14 the five I's, and you can see what can happen. He dared to be like God, to be equal to God, and even to be God. Where is he now? And just like some religions today tell you that you can be God, stay away from them-they are cultic and evil-Satanically based and not of God. And some fall into this trap, while others rush in, not realizing the cost to them.
Stay close to God, and he'll stay close to you. Good advice. And next time you feel like being God, or like Him, give me a call. I have some nine inch nails and a crown of thorns for you to try out. Makes walking on water seem like just another day at the beach.
Desire to grow in Jesus, and He will give you your hearts desire. No t-shirt or contingency plan is better than what awaits us in heaven. And today remember if it isn't in your heart, don't put it on your shirt. Today I am wearing a Triumph shirt, motorcycle that is. If you are what you wear, then I am a Triumph. But better yet, I am triumphant in Jesus. There is a difference. And I'd love to tell you about Jesus in my life.
Try that sometime. T-shirts for Jesus. And you wonder how to share your witness, when all the time it is on your shirt. Just make sure before you do it is in your heart.
Styles change, aren't you glad the gospel never does.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com