When I was young people my parents age seemed so old, and those of my
grandparents generation seemed ancient. Now since I am of grandparenting age,
but still with an empty quiver, people of my generation who are grandparents
don’t seem so old. Maybe the eyes are starting to fail a bit, and maybe I am
getting older but refusing to grow up, but I don’t feel old. And I have fooled
many a younger rider when I takeoff my helmet exposing my white beard, “how did
that crazy old man keep up?” While I am thinking “can’t you go any faster?” So
perceptions can be misleading, and ruin many a good time, if we let them. Some
10 years ago we were invited to a Nazarene church in Pasadena, to hear an
ex-Hells Angel speak, Barry Mayson. A man with a tremendous testimony, he had
been invited to speak at this church. It seems the pastor had a friend who
insisted he hear Barry, and when he did, insisted he come and visit and share.
Now Barry wasn’t what the congregation was used too, this was an old, very
staid, church steeped in tradition, much different from churches today, who try
to keep up with a contemporary service, repackaging Jesus, with mixed results.
But invite Barry they did, and he was as surprised as they were when they met.
Boy were we about to be blessed.
He travelled with a small group, if you can call my new friend Tiny who
weighed 350 pounds small. But as big as he was in size, his love of Jesus was
bigger, and set a tone I wish to use as an example. Pulling into the parking
lot, a group of 10, we found it already filling up with bikes and bikers, and we
were being greeted by little old ladies from Pasadena. Ladies who were excited
to minister, who had preconceived ideas about bikers, but were prepared to show
love. And show love they did, where a clear distinction of social groups was
evident, leather and denim, and loud pipes, these ladies with their coiffed
hair, expensive clothes, and manicured nails were excited. To say we were
greeted in love would be an understatement, as when these two groups met, they
did anything but clash. Think of bikers being met by these LOLFP in their
church clothes, versus our standard of denim and leather, and somehow it all
worked. They hugged, they shared, they answered questions. They wanted to sit
on the bikes, they wanted rides, and they had questions. A group of church folk
of two kinds had met together, and Jesus had made us one. We had the common
foundation of Jesus Christ, and that made the difference.
Pasadena is definitely different than some of the places I have ministered,
this was a church of rich people. But they opened their hearts to us, and they
were excited to hear the testimonies. It was all about Jesus, and a guest
speaker who had a bad history, but whose life had been changed by Jesus was
welcomed. Tattoos and all. I cannot tell you how many LOLFP hugged me, showed
me love, offered me food and drink, to say all would be accurate. And when the
day was done, I left with a much different opinion of their church. I had been
wrong, I can only imagine if we both had taken a different stance towards each
other based on preconceived notions. It took Jesus to break down any social,
financial, ethnic, and brand specific notions. An example we all need to
follow.
Would Jesus feel comfortable in your church? Would he be welcomed? Would
you recognize him if he came to one of your services? Sometimes we fall into
the trap of thinking we need to teach people about Jesus, and when they know
enough, they will be saved. Special speakers, big events, free programs-that
will get them in, that’ll show them about Jesus. But when the words don’t match
the actions, troubles begin, or are reinforced, and the church instead of being
a place to gather, becomes a country club, with preferred membership.
I am blessed to be part of a fellowship that meets in an old hotel, a sort
of flophouse. Previous churches tried to minister, free meals, teaching, and
little one on one contact. When they pulled out, God allowed me and a few
others to step in. And when we asked what they wanted, they answered “we want
the word.” They wanted Jesus, to hear about him, to pray and be prayed for, and
to fellowship. When asked about food, the answer was “we eat the other days of
the week,” and what once was the focal point, wasn’t important at all. So with
no budget, we have God supply the needs, and do a short teaching, get them to
interact, share cookies and water, pray and fellowship. And in doing that, I am
reminded of Jesus telling us that whoever does this to the least of them, does
this to me. And an important lesson is learned, for just as the LOLFP greeted
and loved on us, as different as we were, on Tuesday nights we are no different,
we are loved, and get to love. We see lots of little steps, and we see Jesus in
action. The spirit moving where no program or process could.
As an example, one man who is on medications, is excited about his new
Bible study, he is doing on his own. He wanted to get closer to God, and wanted
to know how to make it personal with Jesus. Another man and woman do a daily
study together, they are in Romans. And told us last night, how a few verses
can be so exciting. While yet another man, another castaway person, when
hearing of my new diet, ran up to his room and got me some salad and dressing.
Barely able to feed himself, he wants to give back. A heart changed by God.
Another lady needs a Bible, some need a bed, and God is meeting all the needs.
And we get to see him in action changing lives. We go to bless, and leave
blessed. They want to hear about Jesus, better yet they want to be part of him,
to be part of the action. Just like the LOLFP, Jesus makes all the difference
in their lives. Where religion had made it impersonal, Jesus changes all that.
Would Jesus feel welcomed at your church? Your house? Driving to work with
you? How would you introduce him to your friends? Is he personal to you?
Sorry, I didn’t hear what you mumbled....
How many little old ladies from Pasadena have a shiny red Super Stock Dodge
parked in their garage? How many of these LOLFP are gonna get a ticket sooner
or later cause they can’t keep their foot off the accelerator? Suddenly it
seems the right thing to do, to join together in Jesus. To share testimonies,
to love on each other. The Nazarene church that opened their doors that day to
bikers was hoping to bless them, and they did, but never expected the blessing
God had for them in return. So get out and show the love of Christ to someone
different. Be amazed at how he makes us all one in him. How the spirit breaks
down walls of prejudice, and how he works in our lives, many times when we can’t
or don’t, or won’t see it. On one sunny Saturday, little old ladies from
Pasadena showed what Jesus is all about. Think of it as Gucci meeting leather.
And the result was love. Have you hugged a biker lately? A little old lady? A
homeless person? A mother who needs a break?
If you pass the opportunity up, you become the least of them in God’s eyes. Too good for Jesus, can I see your hands? His are nail pierced, he gets it. Now do you?
If you pass the opportunity up, you become the least of them in God’s eyes. Too good for Jesus, can I see your hands? His are nail pierced, he gets it. Now do you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com