I have always been proud to be a biker, but yesterday I was never prouder
as thousands of our brotherhood took to the highways for Washington, DC, not as
a protest, but as a show of support to America, and that we still believe in
her, no matter the politics or polls. Now we knew getting 2 million bikers
together is a task, and given short notice, and on a weekday, still estimates
ranged from tens of thousands, to 880,000. No matter, a presence was felt, and
in a peaceful way, made a statement to the world. I have always said if you are
in trouble or need something, call a biker, and yesterday proved it. So my
helmet is off to all of you who rode in it, I am making plans to ride it next
year-I am sure this is no one hit wonder.
Riding with Torches Across America, I was proud when 3200 of us rode to
Ground Zero, through the Holland and Brooklyn Battery Tunnels, and into Brooklyn
for a party to honor those killed on 9-11. Motorcycles mean patriotism in this
country, and represent freedom, and those of us who ride are out doing it. The
Love Ride, largest one day fund raising event ever, is an annual event. My
friend Steve Shapiro heads the BAD Ride every year, Bikers Against Diabetes.
How many toy runs every Christmas provide toys for kids who wouldn’t have them
otherwise, and when we show up at Children’s Hospital in full force of over 500
bikes, with toys, the kids love it...and so do we. When I was life flighted
last year, a nurse who rides offered my motorcycle a place in her garage.
Another group of motorcyclists,the Black Sheep, held a fund raiser for us, over
$3000. Two of them, Ken and Ned, on their own time and money, drove 1000 miles
each way to Durango one weekend to get my bike...and I can go on. So I will.
When my son was arrested years ago, it was bikers who showed support. From an
ex-chief of police to a Hells Angels president, we got support, with the HA
president telling me “we are probably more alike than you think, we only look a
things differently.” Run that one by the medical staff that calls tells us we
ride murdercycles, and I have even heard we deserve to get hit, do they tell
that to the oncology patients? We ride, a choice, we know the dangers, where is
their compassion? Every time I have needed help on the side of the road, it has
been a biker, even if in a car or truck, that stopped to help. We stop for cars
broken down too, and I have stayed with little old ladies while waiting for a
tow truck, when cars whizzed past. I have pushed, pulled, been pushed, given
gas, use of a cellphone, and given rides home by bikers, even when it is out of
their way. You see we have a sense of duty, of community, we call it a
brotherhood, based on respect. Not a perfect system, but it works.
In a way it is like a ministry, and being a Christian biker is the way to
live. Now if the church could ever get our brotherhood thing together, it would
explode. Talk about revival! For it seems everywhere you look, behind the
scene of any good deed, you find God. It is His love and compassion that spills
over into the biker world, and although we have our problems with God sometimes,
even the most hard core biker will stop and listen when you ask for prayer in
public. For the past dozen years we have taken our bikes to harvest festivals,
and let kids of all ages, and dads and moms, sit on them, and turn the
throttle. Backing up the lines as candy is dandy, but a chance to sit on a
motorcycle is cool. Watching as their eyes light up, and showing a side of
Jesus the guy in his Lexus would never show. “Hey Mister, can I sit in your new
car?” Try that one sometime, yet many times I see kids looking at motorcycles,
and soon see them sitting on it, being held in place by a biker’s hands, while
their parents take a picture, leaving smile that lasts all day.
So it only seems natural for both Christians and bikers to be cast as
outcasts of society. We both know freedom that others are afraid of, and
express it in our lives, and lifestyles. So next time you get invited to
church, and see motorcycles parked out front, you are in a cool church. They
understand the freedom in Jesus, the unity in the spirit, and the brotherhood of
believers. And we invite you to join in, get out of your cage, and feel the
wind in your face. Better yet drop all your prejudices and preconceived notions
about Jesus, and let Him into your heart, and experience true freedom. Learn
that to be respected, you must show respect, it is earned, but that the love of
God is a gift, that cannot be earned. In trouble, ask a biker, just don’t
expect only one to show up. And expect us to stay after the job is done, to
fellowship, share, and encourage. And that was what the 2 million biker ride
was all about. It is about freedom...which is your choice. Live free in
Christ, or die by the rules. They are out there...just looking for you, to take
away your freedom.
Yesterday while attending a 9-11 ceremony, I was asked to share about 9-11,
and I chose flight 93, and the miracle aboard it, how 40 people united to take
out the terrorists. Any coincidence in was on a Untied Airlines jet? Yet after
speaking, I was standing next to an over dressed young man, very polite, clean
cut, and stiff. They introduced him as a representative of a state senator, and
all the cameras, TV and other focused on us. He grinned and waved, and after I
leaned over and told him, “I hope they didn’t identify the wrong person.” To
which he laughed, and then I told him, “because I have a reputation.” And he
got it. Biker or politician, who you gonna call? Maybe not a change in him,
but a seed planted for freedom. He was there by order, I was there because I
wanted to. Just like 2 million bikers were yesterday. Come join us for the
ride of your life. Just make sure you get the right ones in the photo, we have
reputations too. In trouble call Jesus, and don’t be surprised if He sends a
biker. He sent 2 million yesterday. And only one politician. He is known for
getting the job done, would you settle for anything less?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot