Here I am sitting with my wife at the Yuma Prison Run, and a well meaning man comes up to me and starts telling me about the patch on his back. I listened, reluctantly, for I knew of this group, and knew of all the duplicity in it. He went on, oblivious to my lack of interest, and told me because the patch on his vest was there, people knew he was a Christian. And how people were attracted to him. Having had enough of his club of Sardis tales, I asked him a couple questions. One-why would you want me to be part of your club? You don't know me. His answer was that I must be someone important because so people were stopping to say hi. He didn't realize I was a Christian, and knew many in this club, which was why I didn't want anything to do with it. Two-I asked, if your patch drew people to you, why did you approach me? I was sitting here minding my own business until you came along and interrupted. No answer. Three-what did the Holy Spirit do to lead people to Christ before your patch came along? Who are you trusting, a club of rules and dissention, or God?
And he left and wished me a good day. I felt sorry for him, for he was sincere, but sincerely wrong. This club had fed him lies, and to fit in with them, he had to follow them. I never got a chance to tell him for 35 years I was part of this club until God rescued me from it, and now I had real freedom in the spirit! If it takes a patch, or shirt, or vest, what happened to God? Now I am not anti-Christian shirt, but when I see one coming, I tend to duck. I must look like a sinner, because I draw them, only to find they want to tell me how to live. By their rules, riding their kind of bike, at their speeds, to where they tell me to go...I think you get the picture.
NOTW shirts tend to bug me too. Put on a shirt, add some graphics, maybe even a scripture, and you are a Christian. Just like having Jesus on your dashboard, you are protected, and free to act as you wish. I have met Aurelio, and heard his testimony-awesome. But when I see people just wearing the shirt to be cool, and not even knowing what it is, I get concerned. And like the man at Yuma, they mean well, but on your own is exactly that-on your own, and alone. For unless the Holy Spirit guides, you are wandering alone. So I ask, who is the Captain Kirk of your enterprise? Are you at the helm, or Jesus? Do you follow club rules, or God? Do we need a t-shirt or vest, or bumper sticker to tell if you are a Christian?
I have found God sends people my way. I don't have to go looking, for I let Him. Not always easy, I really wanted to share Jesus with this guy, but he was more impressed by his patch. Mine were in the trash. And so many by their shirts. Now I wear motorcycle shirts all the time, but they don't need a shirt to tell I ride, my helmet look should give that away, or when I pull up on one. And anymore, I am tired of talking about myself, which is where most of these conversations end up. So I let God lead me, and find out I do much more and effective ministry when letting Him guide, or just sitting in the crowd. For like the Pharisees who were so bound by rules, and wanted to show how holy they were, if you have to tell me, maybe you aren't. For at that point it is about you, not Jesus. And for years I have told to anyone who will listen to have only one agenda-Jesus. For anything is sin. Good intentions or not. So let me leave you with this thought, or question.
If you are hurting, who would you search out? A group drinking, smoking, cussing, and carrying on, or try to follow who the spirit is leading you to? Or how about the preachy crowd who will not listen, but tell you how to live anyway. You see when I have a problem, I want God, not your story, or your rules. I want answers, and have learned to trust God long before I trust man. Over the years I have had people come up to us and pour out their hearts, not knowing us, or who we were-but sent by God. We have prayed, counseled, and followed up as God directed. All without a shirt telling them who we were.
I know many will argue with me about this, and how great their club, vest, patch, or shirt is. Don't tell me-tell God. Who works from the inside out. You cannot do anything more for God than what He asks, if you do you are in sin, His words, not mine. So dump the Pharisee look, and trust God. No t-shirt will ever effect your heart like Jesus will. No patch can save you. And check out your stories before you approach someone. They may just pop you just to let them know who they are, and what they think of you. RESPECT the person, and watch as Jesus touches their heart. Despite any damage you may have done.
For God so loved the world He sent JESUS! Not you or me! Long before t-shirts and back patches. For love is still more effective than any other form. Remember that next time you interrupt someone. Who may be doing God's work. And thank you for all your prayers-I will continue to covet them, for without Jesus I am nothing.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthw25biker.blogspot.com