Growing up I could never get enough compliments. It was and still is nice
to hear how good I look, how good my sons behaved, and how I love your latest
ride. These glowing words can fill your head with crazy ideas, and sometimes
lead you to believe the rumors they may ignite. It is one thing when I
compliment my wife, another when another man does. You can call me ugly, just
don’t insult my kids. So timing, and the one delivering the compliment, or
insult are important, but so is the audience. It is said that great students
make great teachers, I tend to believe that. Knowing your audience helps too.
I fall asleep in less than 5 seconds listening to someone talk about bird
watching, but just let me hear the word motorcycle and my ears perk up. So
somewhere between subject matter, the speaker, and the listener communication is
formed. But back to compliments...over the years they have never seemed to come
when I needed them, especially when younger and trying to impress someone. “My
you’ve grown,” is one thing from your favorite aunt, but when applied by your
adversary, in front of the girl you are trying to impress, sometimes you felt
like “grown what?” More zits, poorer? Too tall works OK in the NBA, but not in
horse racing. I have also seen embarrassed men insult women when asking if they
are pregnant? When they are not, a lesson learned the hard way. And on it
goes...
Sometimes it is hard to be humble when you are so great, just ask some of
the great ones. In fact many you don’t have to ask, they’ll tell you. Two
quotes stick out to me, one from Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. She is an
aging silent film era actress, who hasn’t done a picture in years. When
recognized, as “hey you’re Norma Desmond, you used to be big.” She replied, “I
am big, it is the pictures that got small.” Try to work some variation of that
line into a conversation today, I love it. But another comes from another
actor, to a National Champion motorcycle racer. Steve McQueen complimented Mert
Lawill by saying, “you will always be know as a National Champion, you did it.
I only play different people, to me it is always acting.” You decide, who made
the bigger statement here? How would you rather be known?
As much as we love to be complimented, and we all seek it to a certain
degree, I become very embarrassed when someone says nice bike, nice story, etc.
I know it isn’t me, but the Jesus in me they see, and an early quote from an
evangelist still sticks with me. “The good things you see are things I have
given over to Jesus, the bad are the things I am still dealing with myself.”
And I believe it to this day. We are to represent Jesus as ambassadors here on
earth, to be witnesses. But often we have our own agenda, us, and seek our own
glory. Sometimes subtly, sometimes it is too apparent. But once again fall
back on the example of Jesus, who in all things gave glory to His Father in
heaven. So ask yourself, when you speak or act, who do you wish people to see?
Who do you represent? Do you bring glory to God or to God’s glory, yourself?
If Jesus was your only audience, would you take the same attitude? Are you
playing a Christian, or are you living the role? As much as Steve McQueen was
the King of Cool, he only played parts in movies, off screen he was cool, and
wished to be known as a motorcyclist who acted, not an actor who raced. I like
that, and how you see yourself, so will your audience. Are you a Christian who
rides, or are you a rider who is a Christian? Depending on your listener, it
can mean different things. I prefer Christian rider. I hope my witness of
Jesus is better than my skills. You figure it out, who am I bragging on?
So what do your words and actions say about Jesus? Is He your agenda, or
is it all about you? Are you a Christian playing a role, or an actor playing a
Christian? Sadly if acting the world will find out first, and has no problem
telling you. So I hope my words point you to Jesus, and make you think about
Him more. It isn’t all about me, the thought scares me. So keep it all about
Jesus, and soon you will not be acting, but will be a natural, it will come from
the heart. And what is on the heart is reflected in our words. God says that
in the scriptures. Words do mean something...
Some day in heaven we will hear “well done my good and faithful servant..”
Not rider, biker, teacher, preacher, mother, or father...but servant. Who you
serve is told by your words. So take Steve’s advice, and no one will ever take
away who you are in Christ. Some only play the part, you can live it. Let your
life proclaim Jesus Christ, “He is big, it is me that got smaller.” Cut,
print. By your words you will be known.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com