I won’t be going to the Hollister Rally this year. I have been to every
one but one from the rebirth in 1997, and have seen its humble beginnings to its
growth and police presence to a trade show for the lifestyle set. I have met
many people, listened to many loud exhausts, and even participated in church
services. I ate breakfast one morning with the mayor and even ministered. But
over the past few years I have spent a few minutes talking with Sonny Barger
while he hangs at Corbin’s. With the exception of one year at the Indian store,
where he introduced me to his family, and we talked at length about
motorcycles. Sonny will only ride one that is American made, and in his words
“was stuck with Harley because there were no others available,” and is quite
blatant in his attitude towards them. He rode a Victory for a few years, loved
the power and brakes, then an Indian, but traded it straight across for another
Victory, which he preferred better. His Indian had 42,000 miles on it in a
year, and still traded straight across. The man rides, 420 may be the poser’s
limit, that is an afternoon for Sonny. So he is back on a Victory, no word on
what he will ride since they went out of business. But at 76 and counting, I’m
sure he will ride until he dies.
But Sonny knows his motorcycles although his discipline will not let him
ride them. He is impressed with Triumphs, asked me many questions about them.
He thinks the industry has many offerings to be chosen from, but yet sticks to
his Made In America only credo. I admire him for that, but also feel sorry he
is missing out on so many fun rides. But he sticks to his guns, literally, and
for now it is Victory, which I remind him “you are what you ride, and I am a
Triumph. While you are a victory...” We both laugh. Just two guys who ride,
who agree on two wheels as the only way to ride.
The Pharisees taught that the Gentiles were made for no other reason than
to fuel the fires of hell. They had no purpose on earth, they were worse than
dogs, and an abomination, with certain ritualistic cleansings if you even passed
by one on the streets. Paul would know, as the Pharisee of Pharisees, and God
in his wisdom set him out to minister to the Gentiles. Only God could use a man
like that, but he did with Peter also. Being Jewish, he knew of the laws, and
not to eat with a Gentile or mix with one. Yet when God called him to minster
to them, he explained to God about Kosher and non-Kosher foods, and Kosher and
non-Kosher people. So God gave him an example of how his love is for all, the
gospel not just for the Jews, the chosen ones. He showed Peter a picnic, where
all types of food were on a tablecloth, and told Peter he could eat of any he
chose. He was not under the law any more, but grace, and God’s grace is
sufficient. Like Sonny, Peter was steeped in his beliefs, but the spirit gave
him insight and he took the gospel to all.
In the little town of New Ulm, Minnesota, all of 15,000, there are six
different Lutheran churches. Why? Because they all have taken a stand
different and varied from the gospel. They forgot it is all about Jesus, and
made it all about them instead. How can they talk about love yet argue openly
and not love each other? Doesn’t 1 John 3 tell us about the love of the father
not being in one who doesn’t love? And who is your neighbor Jesus was asked?
Everyone. Jesus 1, Religion 0. But gaining. If we could only get the gospel
message right, and listen to the spirit, we would see more saved, more miracles,
and more blessings. Yet in a yuppie church I attended they had no programs to
help the needy, stepping over them like the rich man did to Lazarus. Steeping
over Jesus as he tells in Matthew 25. Of course we never do that, we are too
educated and righteous, aren’t we? Maybe we need to go on a picnic like Peter
did and have God open our eyes. Maybe we need to visit with those who have less
and need Jesus, and let them minister to us. Sonny has chosen his ride to be
Made in America, and I respect that. I choose a ride made in Bethlehem,
predating the Motor Company and that will outlive it as well. I pray for Sonny,
we have become acquaintances, we pass on the street and stop. I don’t preach,
but reach out via bikes. God reached out to Peter via food. What is in your
life that can be used to further the gospel?
Years ago our biker brotherhood was based on if you ride or not. Now brand
religion has entered in, and it is not the same. Maybe learned from religion.
But learn the lesson from Jesus today, all have fallen, we need a savior, and he
is it. The way, not a brand or denomination, he is the way to God. He is God,
sent by his father to reunite us to him. Hollister may be no picnic, but
knowing Jesus is. We can decide, not some man made laws or rules. We have
grace, and in the spirit will know what to do and be influenced by him. I can
ride any brand I want, I choose Triumph. Sonny’s law cuts his choices to a very
short list. How short is your list when it comes to showing love? The church
has left the building, it is in places like Hollister, downtown in the Hood, on
college campuses, and anywhere people are found. You have a great field to
choose from, the harvest is plentiful, are you one of the few workers? If so,
many blessings await you, if not, you are avoiding many blessings. And seeing
God change lives. And miss meeting exciting people. Like Sonny. Or me.
One picnic with Peter, one ride with me could change your attitude. Take a
ride, stop for a meal, and consider Jesus. He considered you that day on the
cross, can’t you find a few minutes that may change your eternal life? Sonny
and I have many things in common, we just come at it from different points of
view. Consider the point of view of Jesus. He is the way, all others, well you
can take the bus, where you might just meet my friend Tim who drives one, we are
everywhere God has put us. Peter and Paul found that out and it changed their
lives. Hollister and religion, it’s hard to separate the posers any more. Now
about that new Honda....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com