It has been said that as hard as it is getting to the top, it is even
harder to stay there. But if you never get there, you never know how hard the
road,or race course is ahead of you. Racing is a very tight knit community,
particularly off road. My introduction to SCORE was through Ed Frisk at Simon
and Simon Racing, factory Ford Rough Riders, who had just won the Baja 1000 in
record time. When he left to go over to Nelson and Nelson, factory Chevy, with
three hot shoes, Larry Ragland, Jimmie Johnson, 16 years old at the time, and
pre-NASCAR, and Ricky Johnson, motocross legend. Let’s just say reputation wise
I was in over my head. But I was in, and as my reputation grew I finally was to
sponsor Ivan Stewart, and his Pro Trucks, Robbie Gordon, Jimmie Smith, RCR
Racing , and Gus Vildosola. All top names within off road racing. But my scope
was soon to grow outside of SCORE and So Cal, as Brady from Nelson’s went to
Jack Flannery in Wisconsin as crew chief, Jack of the Off Road Hall of Fame and
7 time SODA racing champion. All because I knew Ed, and Ed knew me. I had
never met Jack, who raced with his two sons Jed and Jamie, top rated racers in
their own right, but when the tour came to Glen Helen for the first time, I got
to meet them. Brady had set it all up, with free passes, which included all
press and pit access, and I got to meet the Flannery family.
Now to say Jack was gracious would be an understatement. And as Brady had
made the move from El Centro to Hemet to Wisconsin Dells, this was the Flannery
teams first California race. We arrived late, the crowd was overflowing, and
Brady had left passes at the gate for Andrew and my nephew Danny, both about 12
at the time. The first race was going on, and Jack won going away. As we
headed to his pit area, I heard my name being called, it was Brady. Working our
way through the crowd, 20 deep wanting to see Jack, he lifted the barrier and we
crossed under, meeting Jack for the first time. As if we had known each other
for years, we embraced, and he met Andrew and Danny. They did a little better,
as Andrew’s hero was Ricky Johnson, and when I first introduced him to Rick, he
froze, looking at the ground as Rick got down on one knee and talked with him.
But he had met others now, and shook hands with Jack, who quickly excused
himself, and tore off one of the body panels that had been damaged during the
race. He signed one, handed it to Danny, then tore off another, signed it and
handed it to Andrew. He made us all feel welcome, and no two kids ever felt so
happy, and famous, as they did among the crowd that day. WOW they heard many
times as others wished they had met Jack and gotten a signed panel. We had been
made to feel part of the team, and the panels hung on their bedroom walls for
years. Just one of the many we would meet over our 5 years of sponsorship, but
one they will never forget.
As great as it is saying you know someone of fame, it is even more
impressive when someone famous knows you. Walking through contingency years ago
in Laughlin, when they first started racing again, I again heard my name,
looking over to see Ivan Stewart, with a man he introduced me to as Don
Laughlin. Yeah, that one. Who invited me along, Ivan was his tour guide, and I
got a tour and education from the All time famous off road champion, and the man
whose name was on the same city as the Laughlin Desert Run, the biggest biker
run in the southwest. I doubt he would ever remember me, but that day meeting
Don, and having Ivan recognize me gave me some credibility and fame of my own.
Fifteen minutes if you will, spread over many in 30 second increments. Andy
Warhol had the quote, I had the equation.
Now it is one thing to say you know someone, but a bigger thing to say they
know you. Jesus called us, and knows us by name. Long before we ever went
searching for Him. His first disciples were Andrew and Peter, who He said to,
“follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Later he met two others,
brothers again, John and James, again leaving their boats and nets and following
Jesus. It has been said, that if Jesus had a refrigerator, that your homework
would be on it, much like we do for our kids today. We are that important to
Him. And He still is calling today, to many who we will only meet in heaven,
but who He desires to know personally here on earth. Do you number yourselves
among the chosen? If in doubt, seek Him today. No special invites, no special
service, just call out to Him, believing with your heart, confessing with your
mouth and you are saved. No degrees, catechism, or religious classes needed.
Now you may not be as famous as Peter, James, or John, you may only be an Andrew
sending people to Jesus, or you may be a silent Christian, as Joseph of
Aramethia was, just waiting for he proper time to do what God asks of you. In
any case, Jesus recognizes you, and calls out to you-even the unsaved.
Now you may never have a podium finish, or even finish a race, but you are
still important to God. Ever hear of Mordecai Ham? Ever hear of Billy Graham?
Mordecai Ham led Billy to the Lord, and look at the results today. One man
whose funny name with can’t recall, but so important to Jesus. And Billy!
That’s love. And we are all as important. On earth you may get your 15 minutes
of fame, in heaven it will take eternity to thank Jesus for all His fame, which
He graciously shares with you. Just a face in the crowd, how about the woman at
the well, the woman caught in adultery, the blind man given his sight, and even
the good Samaritan, and the man he rescued? What was the name of the innkeeper
that night in Bethlehem? All important, but we never know their names, like so
many that minister today. Who minister without recognition, recognized only by
Jesus. Who knows them by name...who knows me by name! Jesus knows my name,
what a rush!
Keep that in mind next time you share Him with others. Introduce Him as
your friend, He calls you friend. In a life where you will know many people,
what a relief to know you will always have a friend in Jesus. Some call Him
Lord, savior, master, rabbi, or teacher. He is all that, and more-I can call
Him my friend. He knows my name. And in the greatest race you’ll ever compete
in, the human race, He promises a podium finish ever time. There are names, and
there are names...no matter the size of the crowd He recognizes you. And makes
you feel important, because you are. Ask Andrew and Danny, two 12 year olds
made to feel 10 feet tall, just because I knew Jack. And he knew me. And
that’s a fact. How much more important does it make you feel that Jesus knows
you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com