The old Ford vs. Chevy battle has been going on for over a century. Every
once in a while you may see Dodge, and you used to see Plymouth, Pontiac,
Mercury, and even Olds until their respective companies pulled the plug on them,
relegating the to history and memory. With new faces coming in to take their
place, and soon what was a national sport, the N in NASCAR, now has a Japanese
based car in its midst. Just doesn’t seem right, but racing is racing, and as
long as it pays the bills, and the France family, it has been written into the
rules. Which to me seems almost hypocritical, for some things are what they
are, and I thought NASCAR was one of them. You don’t see American sedans in
races anywhere else in the world, why Jap cars in ours here? What happened to
National? To be true to the competitors, shouldn’t it be IASCAR? Somehow
doesn’t roll off the tongue. Maybe size makes right, as Toyota outsells them
all anyway, bringing a new concept to race on Sunday, sell on Monday. But with
millions of fans backing them, maybe you don’t have to go to church to be a
hypocrite, just show up at a NASCAR race on that Sunday morning.
“I only buy American,” the man claims, “I don’t like to support
China,etc.” And I tend to agree, I remember when we led by quality rather than
fell behind due to price. And I know guys who will only ride an American made
motorcycle, even incorporating it into their club laws. Which until 15 years
ago made Harley Davidson the only game in town. Victory has proven a worthy
competitor, and with the current resurrection of Indian, I am betting they make
it this time, now hey have a choice. Which shows their Harley prejudice, not
just their nationalism. But what seems to escape them is Toyota and Nissan are
not American companies. And it pains me to see the bar and shield decal in
their rear windows, as their loyalty to this country ends with their choice of a
non-American truck, to me being hypocritical. Has all that V-twin vibration
loosened their senses? Add a proud to be an American vet sticker, and on any
day of the week, including Sundays, you don’t have to go to church to be a
hypocrite, just advertise your Harley on your Japanese truck. Confused...an old
biker saying is don’t wear it on your back if it isn’t in your heart. Or like
the old National Lampoon album song Deteriordata sings, “whether you can hear it
or not, the universe is laughing behind your back.”
“I won’t go to church,” I hear, “too many hypocrites.” Then why don’t we
see more of you, we would like you to feel welcomed, and not a stranger. Yet
even in their accusations, there in lies some truth, as we all have a habit of
saying one thing and doing another. Call it do as I say, not as I do. And we
have all been there. Only Jesus was the only non-hypocrite, doing exactly as He
said. But of course He did it in obedience, for He was constantly in touch with
His Father in heaven, doing the right thing came natural-really supernatural.
And as Christians we have that same advantage, and choice, yet we tend to go our
own ways, whatever is easiest for us, or benefits us the most. Be it bikes,
cars, church, or even who we worship. Even sports teams, as how many here in SD
don’t cheer for the Chargers? Nationalism isn’t dead, it has just given way to
freedom of choice, and if it works at Burger King, why can’t I have it my way
anywhere else? Yet only in Jesus do we find true freedom of choice, our ability
to say yes to Him, or deny is deity altogether and escape heaven. Love doesn’t
demand its own way, unlike some other choices we make, we get to choose. And I
choose Jesus...
So to all my fellow hypocrites out there, all of you, I extend an
invitation to the only non-hypocrite ever known, and still around today, Jesus
Christ. You can come as you are, in a NASCAR shirt in your Nissan pickup with
the HD logo on it, hey even come on your Harley. Fit in with the others who
chose to not fit in, you will find yourself among a better grade of people,
those who are forgiven. For God forgives hypocrites too, He leaves none out who
choose Him. Try that warm welcome on your Ninja at the next Harley function.
See what I mean, we all ride don’t we? Doesn’t that give us a common bond
against those who don’t? So find the true freedom of expression you are looking
for in Jesus. Come join us fellow hypocrites, no charge, or pay way too much
for the next track seat at NASCAR, watching non-national cars racing for
American money. Lots of NASCAR fans at church, you may find it a better place
to be on race day, no yellow flags.
So you don’t have to go to church to be a hypocrite, but it may be the only
place you are welcomed as one. But it is your choice, we will love you for what
you are, and encourage you for what you can be. Imagine truth, with no
opinions, and no changing of teams or sponsors every year. Talk about
hypocrisy, we aren’t talking about Jesus, who stays the same. It is us who must
change, which makes me wonder about some choices I make. How many are based on
opinions, which only lead to hypocrisy, and how many are based on Jesus, who is
truth? There is a lot of pressure out there for your dollars and also your
soul. Don’t be a hypocrite, choose Jesus today. Come join your fellow
hypocrites who made the right choice. Where you are Sunday can have an impact
on your Monday. Reminds me of customer on my paper route named Ford, who drove
a Chevy Impala. I still don’t get that one. You don’t have to go to church to
be a hypocrite, you can fellowship anywhere. Worship at the altar of your
choice this Sunday, no pit pass needed here. This church is not full of
hypocrites, there is always room for one more. Now, you were saying...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com