I once knew a famous off road race driver who was legendary. He was known
internationally, had won many Baja races and if I mentioned his name you would
recognize it. But because of the following story I won’t, out of respect. This
famous racer was asked to do a commercial for one of his sponsors, so showing up
in his driving suit, he was told to just read the cue cards, they would be over
in no time. But after many takes where he deviated from the cards, some not
even coming close to what was written on them, the man holding them mentioned to
the director “I don’t think he knows how to read.” So placing a card in front
of him insulting him, he went off as before, deviating from it, unable to read
the card insulting him. Finally they just asked him to ad lib about the
product, one take was all it took and all were happy.
Another off road icon, who builds his own trucks, and now has his own race
series, hired an engineer out of college to design them. He had great grades,
had graduated from an admirable school, and had raced successfully in SCCA
races, sports cars. But his truck designs were dangerous, poorly designed, and
prone to fail. My company and I were called in to advise, and when asking
pertinent questions, found out this man had never even been to an off road race,
let alone seen a truck. He was going off successful specs for sports cars, not
vehicles that take a pounding for 1000 miles in the desert where there are no
roads. He had the degree, just not the experience, and argued we didn’t know
what we were doing. One mention of our sponsorship with NASCAR, and how they
use us for fastener advice, we were quickly shown to have earned our
reputation. But so was he....and they built the trucks to our specs, not his.
As did many other off road winners....
At Coca Cola I worked with a man who was hired because of his connections.
He had been a successful, highly respected football coach, the alumni and
students all loved him, as well as his fellow teachers. But he found himself
working for us because he had been fired after many years of success. Which
didn’t make any sense, until one day he confided in me he had lied on his
resume. He never attended the colleges he claimed, nor even finished school.
He had no connections outside his fake resume, but none the less was
successful. Until they looked into his background, read his resume. The school
took a dim light on this, and fired him, many in tears. The rest of the people,
students, teachers, and other schools didn’t care he had lied, he was a winner.
But no other school would hire him, because he was a liar. And so Coach, as
every one called him had a reputation for winning games, but also lying on his
resume.
An old adage tells us a marksman is known by his aim not his arrows. All
three men were known for their accuracy in their field, but based on their
arrows, except for the designer/engineer never would have been hired. And he
was a failure based on his arrows, his aim was horrible. He was no marksman.
Years ago when looking to get into ministry, I looked on the web, engaging
Christian head hunters, the job finding type, not the savage ones. Although
they may be easily confused. They didn’t care about my experience, where did I
go to school? What were my grades? Did I have a DD, doctor of divinity? I had
no arrows, but my aim had brought me face to face with many to minister too. If
they had asked about my aim, I could have shared many testimonies, but they were
more concerned about the arrows in my quiver, and the quiver they came in. So I
followed God, and let him guide me by his spirit. Only he will ever know how
successful I have been, or how I would have totally failed without him.
And so when encountering two men last week, who we used to go to church
with, they were excited about the new church they were attending. The pastor
was young, but had lots of degrees, a DD, and all his staff was well educated.
They invited me to come and see, and I hemmed and hawed, for this man and his
staff may be good teachers, may have degrees to prove their education, but where
was the fruit of their labors? Were these friends of mine more impressed with
their credentials than their testimonies? I am and was. Yet today many are
like these men, good men, who thrive on education, but have no application of it
in their testimonies. Proverbs tells us an empty stable stays clean, but makes
no money. Never getting out of the church and applying the love of Jesus you
learn about is sad. Yet any wear out the seats of their pants, their whole
Christian experience one of listening to a man hiding behind a pulpit, teaching
them the word, but never having them engage in it. Saving shoe soles, not
seeing souls saved. They live life like monks, a vow of silence they didn’t
know they took, for they are much different at work, or when shopping. Their
church persona belies any knowledge of the love of Jesus when outside the
church. They brag on knowledge, of trips to Israel, they know where Jesus
walked, but fail in walking with him in day to day life. Whereas a worn out
Bible used to mean a life that wasn’t, their’s is worn out from studying,
studying to find themselves approved. By man, not by God. And their reputation
within the church is exemplary, and they are safe as long as they stay within
the 4 walls. Yet Jesus gave us the example to get out and live, to share him as
we go. They never fail because they never attempt what they have learned. They
have knowledge of Jesus, just not this wisdom, or his love. They love the
others in the church, but heaven help anyone who questions them or doesn’t agree
with their doctrines. Their pious heads rear back and they quote scripture,
just not as Jesus did or intended it.
Are you known by your arrows, or even your quiver? Or your aim? Do you
miss sometimes, but your aim is love, and to minister love to others in need?
When in a group sharing, do you come up short in education, but long on
application? When they share about what they learned in Bible study, does your
testimony prove it? Many Christians brag on their clean barns, a tidy stable.
But are really unstable when it comes to the things of God. Their resume when
checked out shows no experience, Christian or other. They follow the cue cards,
reading words they know, just not the God who inspired them. They have no
flexibility in the spirit, as they claim God’s way is the only way, and end up
in the way. No spiritual guiding in their lives, but they know scripture.
Today stop and take a self examination of where you are in Christ. Is he Lord,
guiding you by his holy spirit, or are you constantly studying to find approval
from others? When you see a man in need do you pray about it or do something
about it? Working for Roger Penske, I learned the best definition of teamwork I
ever heard, “if it needs to be done, do it.” Jesus did, and tells us we can do
even more in his name, by his spirit. Some will put up stats, some will gain a
degree, thinking they have an education. Even have the diploma to prove it.
But then there are those who win, sometimes ugly, but they win. Life is like
that, Christians end up in heaven, the ride is what separates them. Their
testimonies being told. Being in the picture, rather than looking at it. I
once was hired to cut trees not because of any equipment I owned, they would
provide it. But the interview was only one question, and although many were
more qualified than me, I got the job. The question was “what have you done the
last two weeks?” While many had been hunting or skiing, I had been cutting wood
for a hotel. I showed the desire to go out and do the job...what does your
testimony tell others about Jesus? Still seeking, still praying, still waiting
for a calling? Look around, Jesus didn’t have to look very far, and neither do
you. The ad asks “what’s in your wallet?” What’s in your quiver? Your heart?
Are your arrows new and shiny because they have never been used? Or is your
quiver old and worn, your fingers calloused rather than your heart from use?
Are you learning about Jesus or experiencing him?
Money will buy a fine dog, only love will make him wag his tail. Check out
your barn, your stable, your quiver and arrows today. You cannot teach
experience, you have to experience it. Same with Jesus, knowledge will tell you
about him, a relationship with him and you will get to know him. Walking with
him is more important than walking where he walked, but both can be useful. But
only when the spirit guides you. Moses got tablets of stone with commandments,
Jesus writes his word on your heart. With one commandment, to love God and
others. The Bible is written about things done and experienced, not philosophy
or for gaining a degree. An encouragement for all who read it, but only
becoming real when applied. New leathers often mean a poser, how shiny is your
quiver? You will never know how good your aim is until you shoot the arrows God
has given you. No matter what your resume says...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
*with apologies to Deteriadata
Go placidly amid the noise and waste
And remember what comfort there may be in owning a piece thereof
Avoid quiet and passive persons, unless you are in need of sleep
Rotate your tires
Speak glowingly of those greater than yourself
And heed well their advice, even though they be turkeys
Know what to kiss, and when
Consider that two wrongs never make a right, but that three do
Wherever possible, put people on hold
Be comforted that in the face of all aridity and disillusionment
And despite the changing fortunes of time
There is always a big future in computer maintenance
You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back
Remember The Pueblo
Strive at all times to bend, fold, spindle, and mutilate
Know yourself
If you need help, call the FBI
Exercise caution in your daily affairs
Especially with those persons closest to you -
That lemon on your left, for instance
Be assured that a walk through the ocean of most souls
Would scarcely get your feet wet
Fall not in love therefore. It will stick to your face
Gracefully surrender the things of youth: birds, clean air, tuna,
Taiwan
And let not the sands of time get in your lunch
Hire people with hooks
For a good time, call 606-4311. Ask for Ken
Take heart in the bedeepening gloom
That your dog is finally getting enough cheese
And reflect that whatever fortune may be your lot
It could only be worse in Milwaukee
You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back
Therefore, make peace with your god
Whatever you perceive him to be - hairy thunderer, or cosmic muffin
With all its hopes, dreams, promises, and urban renewal
The world continues to deteriorate
Give up!
You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back
You are a fluke of the universe
You have no right to be here
And whether you can hear it or not
The universe is laughing behind your back