I'm watching the TV the other night and this ad comes on for back to school clothes. And as all these too cute for school girls are dancing, I notice something about their clothes-I've seen them all somewhere before. But not paying attention, I change the channel, I am a well know anti-commercialite, and then soon on another channel, here again are these same fresh faced girls, dancing to music no one should be allowed to listen to, dancing again. No wonder no one learns anything in school. And again, I recognize the styles. But once again, I change the channel, and too soon for my own good, these same kids are invading my TV time-again! So I watch this time, and find out that the same clothes I wore in school 45 years ago are now back in style-except in my house they never went out of style. And every few years come back into style, being told by some half a sissy what is fashionable and what is not. And as a true rebel to the end, I again vaporize him from my big screen-knowing that sooner or later these pathetic girls will sing and dance their way into my TV time when least expected. But never into my wardrobe.
Now I like to look at women dressed prettily, and I like my wife to look nice. And stylish, too. So we only buy the nicest leathers, Arai helmets, high end boots, and motorcycle t-shirts. And we not only look good, but are comfortable. And cool. Ahead of the next fashion trend, in fact we have never left it. And while you others who don't ride are left to wonder if you are in style or out of style each day you leave the house and get in your SUV, cell phone in hand to warn your trendy friends just in case you are, we throw a leg over our bikes and start the day riding. Confident in ourselves, our leathers, and our lifestyle-knowing that if you wrap a fish in nice wrapping paper, it will stink as much as if wrapped in newspaper. Or an SUV. Beware of girls dancing their fashion ways into your heart. Biker chic is still in. Like my friend says, "their are only two colors, both black." It goes with everything, never goes out of style, and you can always look cool. And you don't ever see those pathetic dancing girls in black leather. Hey, maybe bikers are on to something! How about a motorcycle clothing store-Old Biker instead of Old Navy. And we can sell trendy shirts with sayings, and leather, and boots, and....WHOA! Won't this cut into our riding time? Please, no more pretty boys.
Honda in their early ads never mentioned they were selling motorcycles-they were selling Hondas, and since the world was still reeling from the fictional accounts based on Hollister, black leather was out. Capri pants, sandals, visors, and bright colors were in, so the smiling people on Hondas wore them. And looked so stylish that the people who rode them looked nice, and were nice. So Honda reminded you that you met the nicest people on a Honda. And soon, we all wanted to be nicer. But some of us still chose black, and still do. At least for our leathers. We were already nice before Honda thought that one up. Need help, call a biker. Did anyone ever call a Honda? Sorry, only nice people here, not those in need.
Theresa and I get noticed real quickly when we visit other churches, hey we do at our own. The black leather among the suits-black or grey, both exciting colors, Hawaiian shirts, and trendy clothes stands out. A t-shirt with Triumph logo catches peoples attention, and soon we have struck up a conversation, and met people. Ones who would have shunned you if you were dressed as they were, maybe they can't stand the competition, or the conformity. Maybe they are afraid you might be just like them? Or maybe black leather scares them and they wish to make friends sooner than later. Or maybe they just like black leather, and wish they had the guts to ride to church, but what would their friends say? And so we go to church, stylish but never trendy, comfortable that no one judge us. Well, almost...at least no one who really counts.
For you see we are a society based on first impressions. And if you look nice, you are nice. Or if you look bad, or underdressed for the occasion, well, something is the matter with you. But God, the real reason you are going to church, looks past the appearance, and looks at the heart. He isn't stylish or trendy, no matter what the cutesy ads say. He isn't there to entertain, but to have a relationship with you-to love you first, and hope you'll love Him. He can see past the facade of nice, fresh, trendy clothes, and still see the pain, or deceitfulness of your heart. And rather sit with the cool people who love Him, in leather, than sit with the Pharisees who kept up their appearance. Man looks at the outside, God looks at the heart. And still loves you just as you are. So much for Easter bonnets, we have helmets, and helmet head hair in our family is a badge of honor.
You may meet the nicest people on a Honda. Kawasaki will definitely let the good times roll. Solo on a Suzuki. But only Jesus Christ will love you despite the motorcycle between your legs, and the leather you wear. In fact, Jesus would be right there with you, riding and wearing leather. Out among the people, talking with them, and loving them. Eating with them, and listening. And here's the truth-HE IS! Right now. No goofy rules of religion, but of truth and freedom. Love they call it, and He loved us first. No trendy logos, lines, or posters. Just love. And in leather.
Maybe their is Karma in the fashion world, or déjà vu. Heard that somewhere before. Or whatever excuse you make up. Stylish on the outside will never beat stylish on the inside. Maybe that's why leather, and Jesus have been around for a long time, and never gone out of style. But only Jesus can save your soul, consider that truth today. No matter what you wear, He loves you. Or what you ride. Maybe there is more to the name GAP than meets the eye. A space between you and a God who loves you. Based on appearance or perception. But not truth. Trust Jesus today.
Maybe that's why you see so few motorcycles at the mall. And more and more at church. Is it possible? Jesus rides? You never know who you'll find under that helmet, or inside the leather.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com