It is hard to believe that 6 years have passed since I made my film debut
with Angelina Jolie. It may surprise you to think I was in a film with her, it
would surprise her too, but I was, and for almost two minutes in the film “SALT”
I was there, or really there I was. When Mickey called me and asked if I wanted
to make some money riding a Street Triple, I jumped at it. Triumph has many
connections within Hollywood and with celebrities, and needed sound for the film
SALT, would I be interested? Was the Pope Catholic that day? So I agreed, and
my friend Stu rode along up to a deserted road in Lancaster, where I would
ultimately make over 100 passes at 100 mph, and get paid for doing it. So off
on the 2009 orange Street Triple I went. Stu and I had talked about dealing
with Hollyweird types, and we wanted to be a good representative of Jesus, so
planned a day witnessing. But while praying on the way up, a 120 mile ride by
itself, God spoke to me,and the impact it would have on the day was
important.
Arriving at the preplanned spot, we met two sound guys, one with the
script, and wanted me to follow it, making the sounds they would need. New to
motorcycles, he had no idea what he really needed, so I looked at the script,
and told him I would make the sounds he needed. Some riding at him at high
speed, some away, some using all 6 speeds, and some using only three. Maximum
effect, I only hoped it wouldn’t turn out that the bike sounded like it had 12
speeds, that the audio would match the visual. And away I went...
First using a stationary mike, the sound was impressive, but the mike
overly sensitive. At a half mile away at the top of the hill, you could hear me
idle. Wind noise was more than I was used to hearing, and so was brake noise.
They wanted sound, not noise, but got the real sound of riding. But with
repositioning of mikes, we got some great sounds. One in particular was
incredible, while he was standing at the shoulder, I rode at him going through
the gears, and when I was about to hit him, at over 100, veered right and
continued. How good was it? Listening to it later, we were blown away, best
described by his words. “You’re gonna be sitting in the theater, and hear this,
and the shivers will go down your spine, and you will say ‘that was me.’” Even
after playing it a dozen times it still made my heart leap!
And by the end of the day we were all tired, hungry, and spent time over
burritos listening to me ride. Watching the listener on headphones move to the
sound...if only Angelina knew!
But the time I spent with God riding up made all the difference. His plan
for the day was different than mine. I wanted to use the opportunity to share
the Lord, never a bad thing, but he had a different way than mine planned. His
words to me that day were simple, “go and have fun.” He had prepared the day
for me, knowing my passion for him, and for riding, he provided an arena for me
to enjoy and be myself. A true witness of who Jesus is in my life, not going
out to witness. Not switched on when needed, when Jesus is in your life, all
you do is a witness. The good shows how he changed your life, the bad places
you haven’t allowed him in yet. We all had a great time, they got some great
sound, and my 8 hours of riding came down to 1:41 on film. A film I have never
seen, except for that 1:41! I let God bless me, and in doing that was a
blessing to others. Simple gospel, being yourself in Jesus, but usually the
hardest thing to do. Be yourself.
It seems we put demands on ourselves that God doesn’t. When we just live
our lives we often show more of a living God than when we try to choreograph our
walk. So truly God’s ways are different than ours, and yes, he rides. And he
loves the sinners just as much as the saved. The reason Jesus came into the
world. Where we can be ourselves, and still be saved. And still live in a
fallen world. So maybe a lesson from Abraham and Sarah, with the focus on Sarah
is important. God told them they would bear children, they were old and she was
barren. But he promised, they believed, never a bad thing, until Sarah decided
to do it her way. As we do so often, God gives a vision, an idea, a plan, and
we take it upon ourselves to see it comes to pass. Isn’t the same God who
promised good enough to fulfill his promises? Does he need our interference, I
mean help? How differently my day of riding would have been if I hadn’t trusted
God, he wanted to bless me, and I let him. And others were blessed too. And no
animals were injured making this film! It’s OK to let God bless you! So let
him!
Be all you can be in Christ. Enjoy all the freedom you have been given in
the spirit. And tell others. Maybe even ask yourself, “if I wasn’t a
Christian, would I want to be like me?” Lighten up and let God be God. Learn
from Sarah, her not trusting God led to a family fight between brothers that
still continues today. Isaac and Ishmael couldn’t get along as brothers, and
today the Jews and the Arabs, their descendants still battle. Just like we do
if we don’t trust God.
So next time, the first time you see SALT, or Google the motorcycle
sequence on Youtube.com, Angelina Jolie Triumph, think of me. But really think
of God, and how he blessed me that day. He allowed me to be myself, still loved
me,and blessed me more than I would have allowed myself to be blessed. Jesus
saves, we don’t. We are simply messengers bringing a message of salvation to a
lost and dying world. Be that messenger, let your life be a witness of Jesus
Christ, and ride and have fun. Be you, the hardest thing to be sometimes, and
let Jesus change you. Even harder. The blessings are there is we only let
him. For me I was more excited about riding and getting paid for it, for some
it may be the movie. Or Angelina. But it will always be about the ride, so
bring Jesus along. The best blessings come when we let him bless us, and don’t
try to do it ourselves. Sarah learned the hard way, for me it was riding in
obedience. Trusting a loving God. Riding more and enjoying it less? You need
Jesus...and yes, when I heard that part on the film, I stood up and said “that
was me!” We ride, Jesus saves. Apollos planted, Paul watered, but it was God
who provided the growth. And the blessings. Don’t wait for the film version,
read his book today. And when you get to the part where Jesus saves the
sinners, you too can say “that was me.” If you were miked up for a day of
riding, what would we hear?
love with compasiion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com