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