It is the summer of 1974, and streaking is the latest fad. In case you
don’t remember, streaking is taking off all your clothes, and running naked
through the crowd. It was done at football games, baseball games, media events,
and any place that the person would and could get attention. Very rarely done
by women, it was usually men who should have kept their clothes on, as both
viewer and streaker were afforded eye protection by their covering. But this
one hot summer afternoon in Piscataway, we were hanging out when we should have
been riding. First clue that trouble was brewing. The three of us were talking
about motorcycles, women, and motorcycles, maybe not in that order. When one
suggested, that we should streak downtown Bound Brook on our motorcycles. After
a lengthy 2 minute discussion, it was decided we would, so we closed the garage
door-for privacy, and stripped down, then took off the 3 miles to downtown. Of
course wearing our helmets, as New Jersey did and does have a helmet law, we
didn’t want to get a ticket. We hadn’t taken into consideration that the seats
would get hot in the sun, or that all the bugs our clothing had shielded us from
now hit us directly-and how they could get places no bugs should go. We had
successfully cruised Main Street once, and then turned around, no spectators or
people anywhere, bumming us out, so we were heading home when the light turned
red. Being good citizens, we stopped, but so did the cop next to us-and the
race was on, back to the garage. Now we had a distinct advantage, that speed
and fear of apprehension when mixed with adrenalin create. And we rode at
speeds close to 100 mph, braking hard into the parking lot, then unlocking the
garage, pulling in, and slamming the door behind us. As we struggled to get
dressed, the policeman started banging on the door-and we got even more
scared-we had never considered being arrested and taken to jail naked, so
ignored him. After repeated threats of breaking the door down-ah, the good old
days, we finally opened the door, fully dressed, as the officer looked at us
with amazement. He knew what he had seen, or at least thought he did, now all
he saw was three fully clothed riders. And as he kept accusing us of streaking
Main Street, we kept denying it. And with our 3 against his 1, he finally left,
threatening that he was watching us now, had our license plates, and if we even
got out of line anywhere for any reason, there would be repercussions. Whatever
they were. Funny because Bouke was already known locally, and had also driven
his Corvette through the front door of the Grand Union, and our three bikes were
unique-they were at least known within the biking community. But we had ridden
naked, outrun the police, won a confrontation with them, and were still alive to
ride another day. But never, ever would we ride naked again...we had become a
legend as the word spread, with no photos to back it up, only an upset peace
officer who was the only one to have seen it all...who would believe him?
You’ll just have to take my word for this one, as no record, photos, or
spectators ever saw us...we were still a generation from cell phones, digital
cameras, and Go Pros, but I wonder, hmmmm? Nah...once was enough.
I fully expect people to doubt the Bible when I share it with
non-believers. But I am amazed at how when you add your testimony to it, that
they believe your story. That somehow your words carry more weight than the
words of Jesus, or any scripture because you were there. So I have found over
the years, that sharing a testimony of what God has done for you in a similar
situation is well received. Like the song says, “what He’s done for others,
He’ll do for you,” and they may doubt God, but trust you. Go figure. Which in
itself makes no sense, but we live in a world where believing is seeing, which
takes no faith. Which in this day of Photoshop, to me takes great faith, as
anyone can doctor their photo, or substitute it with another, with the viewer
never knowing. Placing it right up there with the letters I get from
millionaires from Africa, who will trust someone they never met with their
millions, if only you will help. No evidence there, but yet so many fall prey
to the lies. It is almost like if it is too good to be true they believe it,
but when it is true, they falter. So don’t hesitate to share what Jesus has
done for you...your testimony and the blood of the lamb leads to salvation. And
there is no better gospel you will ever know than your own testimony-you were
there! And so apply the same belief system to the Bible-the guys who wrote it
were there, as was God who inspired it. But it takes trust, not understanding,
to believe, and to see lives changed. Fortunately the change part is up to
Jesus, you just share. He has already provided you the testimony-although about
you without Him you don’t have one, and He will provide the words when needed.
So why aren’t you sharing more?
40 years ago three not so wise men decided to go streaking on their
motorcycles, and it became part of their testimony. For the record, I wasn’t
saved. But yet it happened, and I was there, even if there is no evidence to
prove it. 2000 years ago, based on insight from God, some wise men, the number
never mentioned, travelled afar to see the birth of a savior, bringing gifts
that were traditionally used for burial purpose to the baby shower. Because God
told them too, and today their story is recorded in the best selling book ever,
and we hear it over and over again at Christmas. Wise men were seeking Him
then, and wise men still seek Him today. But unlike Lexus and their pursuit of
perfection, Jesus is reachable, and you can find perfection in Him. He is the
millionaire from overseas who promise riches and delivers. Who while wrapped in
swaddling clothes, burial strips of cloth, was already changing the world.
Someone rather than something to consider with your life.
Your testimony started the day you were born, and will continue into
heaven. In our two minute testimonies, it is 30 seconds of how we were, 30
seconds of how we were saved, and one minute of how Jesus has changed our
lives. Question and answer period to follow. And we all have one...all works
in process. And like Jesus tells us, if all the stories were written, no
library could hold them. No web site ever created can equal what God has done
and is doing, and wants to do in your life. So keep your shirt on, and
everything else...be more like the wise men than 3 not so wise men. At least we
weren’t breaking any laws that day, we did have our helmets on! Just ask the
cop-seeing is believing, I wonder what his report stated that day. Chased three
naked men on motorcycles into a garage at high speeds....do I see a possible
movie here?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com