it's all on the wrist

 Ask anyone who rides a motorcycle and they will tell you it is all in the wrist.  A famous book on racing was even written “A Twist of the Wrist,” and many times the joy factor is found in the twist of that wrist.  WTO, and let the fun begin.  And as some of us know, you can ride with a broken foot, but it is hard to shift with a broken wrist.  It takes some doing and imagination, but I have done it, much to the chagrin of my doctor.  Who then made the cast larger, and less flexible....so shift with the left, power on with the right, the fun factor does lie in the twist of the wrist.

If you have been to any outdoor event, from concerts to races, you get a wrist band when you enter and pay.  And that little wristband has more power over where you go and cannot go than would seem possible.  Some just get you into the event, some for the day or weekend.  Some get you into reserved seating, the pits, or the special vendor section.  Some identify you as a racer or part of the race team, some telling others of your influence and importance at the event.  Years ago when sponsoring off road racing, we had the highest level wristband, and I can remember my sons walking through restricted areas, that little band gaining them access.  And sitting and eating at a catered buffet, only a temporary fence separating our meal from the others junk food.  How just having that wrist band could identify you as being with Robby Gordon and his team, or keeping you away, looking from the outside in.  That one simple bracelet having more power and influence than all the diamonds at the event, and with it the power to go anywhere and be somebody.  Or at least to feel like somebody...

We worked the ticket booth at The Race of Gentlemen last weekend, TROG.  A race on the sand of the beach, for 1947 and older American motorcycles, and pre-1935 bodied Ford hot rods, with a cut off year for the flathead motors.  Despite the rain, the squalls, the lagoon made by the rain, the California Parks Commission last minute checking the beach for sand crabs and turtles, and Sunday being cancelled, fun was had, and I hope it returns.  Check out their website theraceofgentlemen.com.  We had arrived Friday night to get the lay of the place before our Saturday morning stint, and all was open, we met and made friends.  But Saturday was a different day, and suddenly without a wristband we couldn’t get into where we needed to check in.  Finally we did, and the wristband that said worker gained us instant access, and we could now walk in past the same guards who before denied us access, just by showing this band.  Talk about power, and we spent almost 5 hours that day putting on wristbands, giving directions, and greeting people.  Many we would see during the race and now had made a friend with.  But that one little band marked worker had more power than the ones purchased that said weekend or Saturday on them.  But still the really cool guys were the ones with the checkered bands, identifying them as racers and gaining pit access.  A simple paper bracelet, that gave you all the power you could ever need for one day, for one event, for one race.  But give you access to a million memories. 

Now a few who had the weekend bands were stunned they had to leave them on for the weekend, “I can’t take it off to shower?”  Ah the vanity.  Some complained the band was too tight, too loose, was on the wrong hand-it didn’t matter, or it stuck on their arm hair, which one old guy told me was all right, the pain said told him he hadn’t lost it and was still alive.  But just as the wristband got you in, holding up your hand as the gates opened,  soon you were sectioned off, and denied access.  But just that band got you in the gate, and for me that was more than enough.

I have listened to people in the past tell me of how they are designing their heavenly home.  Telling God just how they want it, forgetting heaven is his home, and we are only invited.  Their minds are not on the God of eternity, but on what he can do for them, and here is their eternal list of what they want.  You can only imagine their daily prayers and wish lists.  But for those who believe, we are to be making a life, not just a living, and that reflects our eternal expectations.  They haven’t learned about keeping a heavenly perspective, about keeping Jesus first, then letting him add all things unto us.  They are the all for show but no go racer types, with stickers on their cars and clean race shirts, never having gotten them dirty by ministering.  No smell of racing castor, no grease under the fingernails.  It is all about being seen, all about them.  They may have a wristband that is flattering in church, but may not get them to heaven.  Or their wish list they gave to God honored.  But they will get into heaven, just by showing the wristband of Jesus, the only way in.  And when it says worker, servant, you gain access not only to heaven, but to the spirit here as well.  You depend on Christ more for your daily needs, and find his way is the best way.  We get to see “on earth as it is heaven,” in the spirit, getting better gifts from God than we could ever ask for.  While still here.  And the gifts reflect who he is and where he is in our walk. 

Living in and walking in the spirit help us keep things in focus, and allow us to enjoy this life on earth, while anticipating it in heaven.  Life may place higher demands and values on you, but none compares with the freedom we have in the spirit.  We can go anywhere, do anything, and be anything we want, only we don’t because our desire is for Jesus, not ourselves.  And we can find that situation at any time, at any place.  Like while we were waiting to open, and I got to share my testimony and build the faith of a man who loved the Lord, but was afraid to share sometimes.  His testimony not as exciting as others.  And we shared each others at the head of the line, with others to hear, two new friends sharing what Jesus had done for them.  Stories that will be remembered long after any scripture is forgotten or misquoted. 

That day we were at the races, everyday we are in the human race.  Fame and fortune are fleeting, and even he who dies with the most toys still dies.  You cannot take them with you.  Success here on earth should not be our sole aim, but revealing God’s love and the gospel should be.  Saturday’s event was cut short, and Sunday’s cancelled due to the weather.  No wristband could gain you entrance, for the event was over.  The wristband was no longer any good, and would not be good for the next race.  It’s time had expired, it was now out of date.  Don’t you be.  When Jesus comes into your life, he gives you his spirit, to take us into eternity.  He is more than a wristband, but a band that circles our heart and changes our lives.  As we get older it seems as if time flies, as if things are moving faster.  But I find it is really me getting slower, living at a different pace.  And the trophies I once had are not so important anymore.  But my relationship with Christ gains more value everyday.  For one fleeting moment my workers band gained me access to the race, but that race is over.  I need a band to gain access to heaven, and only in Jesus do I find one.  Not to brag, but to share with others.  A band that never fails, doesn’t wear out, gains me access to the spirit now.  And I can wear it in the shower.   No waiting in line, no cancellations due to weather.  On race day it’s all on the wrist, or if you race all in the race.  With Jesus it is all about the heart.  And in the heart, reflecting him in your life.  Gain access today to heaven, and where him boldly in love.  An invite from the race’s sponsor, the creator, who wants you to be at the victory party forever.  Just hold up your wrist, he’ll understand.

love with compassion,

Mike

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