Thursday, April 3, 2014

one afternoon in the garden at the race track










My friend John loves motorcycles.  But he can be intimidated by the abundance of power an 883 Sportster doesn’t put to the ground.  Going 65 in a 60 zone may push the limits of his law enforcement barrier.  Let’s just say that fast and John are not found listed under the same heading.  He is very talented in other things, just hasn’t mastered the speed power a motorcycle can produce yet.  So when he approached me after hearing through a friend of a friend who races in WERA, that they needed a chaplain, he called me.  Since I had no interest, I suggested he do it, maybe the door God had opened was for him, so he took the position.  And at one of his first races he visited, at California Speedway, Penske’s Track, I attended with his CMA chapter.  Now these guys are mostly not sport bike riders, but cling to the seat when the floorboards scrape on their cruisers. So I was the closest thing to fast they knew-a far cry from anyone on the track.  But I knew Mickey and Curtis, and his dad Ray, all established names around racing, so when we met that morning, it gave John an opening to meet the front runners, instead of hanging with the back markers.  He had access to the big guys in the pit area now, and he was immediately over his head, but you wouldn’t know it by his association with these guys.  But as he hung around and listened, anyone walking by must have the impression he was with them, he was in their pit area, not open to all, elevating his status at the track.  Only when asked questions about racing and the team, he was found to be wanting, guilt not by association, but by his rookie status.  He was walking the walk, now he had to talk the talk.  But that has changed...glad to hear. We are all rookies once...how many times is up to us.
Years ago when I sponsored off road racing, both the Johnsons, not related to each other, Jimmie of future roundy round racing and Rick of moto-x fame were on the Nelson and Nelson Racing Team.  We had made the trip to Las Vegas with them to Sam Boyd Stadium, where a stadium race was going on.  And having the N and N shirt on, and hanging with the crew in the  stands during the race, many thought I was part of the team, which I was, sponsor wise, but not part of the race team.  I mostly tried to not get in the way during the race, or while in the pits.  I was guilty much like John was, by association, and allowed access to the hot pits, and the catered meals for the race teams.  Giving the illusion of knowing what I was doing, just because I knew the people that were doing it.  A pit pass and a team shirt gained me access, and was part of the celebration when Jimmie won his class that night.  I was a winner by association, having never sat in a race truck, or set foot on the course.  And like the saying goes, “been there, done that and have the t-shirt to prove it.”  Guilty by association.
We all know the story of Peter denying Jesus in the garden.  But I would like to take a different spin on it today.  I have always been taught that the aggressors, a little girl among them, were out to corner and convict him with Jesus.  But maybe try this one on for size.  What if the little girl was interested in Jesus, and seeing Peter with Him wanted an introduction?  What if she had heard of Jesus, and wanted to meet Hi, but was afraid?  “You were with Him,” she asked, hoping for an intro to Him, but he denied it.  Taking the course of fear and laying down his cross, rather than picking it up and recognizing a chance to have her meet Jesus.  Just like we do many times when people accuse us, we get defensive instead of seeing he opportunity God has provided.  A simple “why do you ask” may have changed everything that night.  Later when accused of talking like he was from Galilee, he again denied it.  Don’t we as Christians speak out own language, evident to others?  And what if someone wants to join in, when is the last time you were accused of being a Christian, and someone wanted to join your conversation?  Did you welcome them, or turn them away?  Were you too busy to share God’s love, or too busy gossiping?  Finally a group accused him, which became too much for him, and he ran, something we all have done.  Hadn’t he seen Jesus minister to the thousands, from poor to titled public servants?  And he had even been warned by Jesus of what he was to do that night, and how ironic that God provided a rooster to crow, to give a wake up call as roosters are known to do, to alert Peter to his sin and weakness.  A personal message from God that He wanted Peter to share with others.  The same Peter who less than a few weeks later on Pentecost would publicly share Jesus to a crowd of strangers, and with the spirit of God over him led 3000 to the Lord.  Only feet from Jesus when he denied Him, now Jesus resurrected he found the courage and strength to do what Jesus later would tell him to do-feed his sheep.  “Do you love me Peter, feed my sheep,” He told him three times.  Take a look around, where is the cross Jesus gave you to bear?  Are you carrying it, dragging it behind you, or have you left it at home-only used on Sundays?  Is it a decoration around your neck, or has it become a burden to carry?  To wear in public, lest someone should question you?  When someone hears you are a Christian, do you respond in love or in fear?  Jesus still had Peter in training that night, for greater things, and although Peter was much like us, he never looked back.  He didn’t whine over the fact he blew it in the garden, but rather bask in the light of what Jesus had done in life, and share it with others.
If you wear a Jesus shirt, carry a Bible, or have a bumper sticker on your car telling the world you are a Christian, they will expect you to be one.  So be careful what you advertise, and the bait you use.  And be ready to give an answer, using words if needed.  We are called to be a witness, our life should reflect who Jesus is.  Sometimes I’m a before picture, needing forgiveness, and sometimes an after, showing evidence of where He has changed my life.  But mostly I am in process, and will be for the rest of my time on earth.  And I have no problem being associated with Jesus while here.  He tells us if “we are not ashamed of Him here, He will not be ashamed of us before His Father in heaven.”  Good enough for me.  So let today be a wake up call for you.  You may be in the pits at the track, or in the pits of life, either way Jesus is there with you.  Ready to give you words when needed.  Just like sitting in church won’t make you a pew, and riding a motorcycle won’t make you a racer, just hanging with Christians won’t make you one.  The world demands evidence, can you prove what you say?  Do you live what you say?  Do you personally know the one you talk about?  Or will it take the denial in front of a little girl to teach you?  Take the attitude that even the harshest critic needs Jesus, and is looking, although they may not know it.  You have read the book, heard the stories, isn’t it about time you met the man? 
Every accusation brings you closer to Jesus.  Next time take someone with you.  Remember your first time at the track?  Guilty by association-we call it salvation.  Be found guilty today, pick up your cross and follow Jesus.  If you never engage in battle, you never will know how good it feels to win.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com