September 11, 2006 was to be a special day for me, I knew it, but didn’t
realize the impact it would have on me. I had heard of Father Al and the Flight
93 Chapel, so called him offering assistance to help clean up or do traffic
control. Being with Torches Across America, I knew many bikers would show up,
and just wanted to help. He asked me to speak, to address the bikers, to make
them feel welcomed, and after some hemming and hawing, gave in, not sure what I
had said OK to. But contacting those I knew from previous Torches, put me in
touch with other biker clubs, and it looked like 9/11 at the Chapel for the five
year anniversary of 911 would be filled with bikers. As of a week before, I had
confirmation of 700 bikers to show up, and we began to worry, not worry, but
where are we going to put them all? Fortunately God knew.....
It always rains or mists on 9/11, the locals will tell you that God is
shedding tears over Shanksville, for God so loved the heroes. And true to form,
it poured, causing delays, the tent that held 250 to swell to over 500 inside,
but only 13 bikers showed up, plus us in the rain. Now these guys were used to
the weather, rain is no big deal other than SoCal, so that was not an excuse.
But the ones who did show were a new CMA chapter, and would go on to honor the
Chapel, and also comfort Fr. Al in his last days dying from cancer. The message
I had prepared for hundreds came down to 13, so trusting God I gave the same
message he had given me for a larger crowd. I have learned since to tailor my
message to an audience of one, Jesus, and let him do the rest, that morning he
showed me why. If a large crowd of bikers arrived, they would detract from the
heroes, and be a disturbance, not at all what they wanted to do. But God gave
us all special times with the families of 9/11 heroes, we sang, we listened, we
cried with them, and met the Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, who with her
bodyguards visited with me. "I’m a biker too,” she said when she saw me, and we
talked motorcycles, bikers, and the heroes of Flight 93. In a very kind and
loving way God showed me why I was there, it wasn’t about me or the bikers, or
the numbers, it was about the individuals and their families, and a time of
healing and blessing. I left more blessed than if I had received a standing
ovation, as God used me to share Jesus, encourage others, and see his love in
action. A day that truly goes beyond words, and with a changed heart for
ministry. It is all about Jesus, not me. We forget that sometimes, as we are
the center of attention, but when we make Jesus the audience of one, good things
happen. I read recently an analogy of water going through a hose, the hose is
just the messenger, it is the water inside that it delivers that quenches our
thirst. Too often I fret about the hose, that day I was glad to be one, and let
his spirit flow through me.
There is an event not being carried on secular news about the NFL, seems
protesting your rights are more important than exercising your responsibility.
Carson Wentz, the quarterback of the Eagles is a Christian, and God is using him
to bring many members of his team to Christ. Even performing baptisms of team
members in motel pools, the practice field, and a unity among the men that is
truly making them team mates in the Lord. All without drawing attention to
themselves, the spirit of the Lord is changing lives, and Wentz claims he plays
for an audience of one. I like that. While some protest, these men are making
a statement, putting Jesus first, and setting an example for others. Rather
than causing dissension among a team, they are building a brotherhood. Now I
will not say that is why they are winning, but the team that God builds will
face the same trials as a worldly team, only in Christ will they have
direction.
What is your focus today, to be heard or to bring glory to God? Is the
messenger more important than the message? Remember some thought John the
Baptist to be the messiah, yet his response was one is coming that is so humble
and pure I am not worthy of even tying his sandal. Soles or souls, be glad when
we call on Jesus he gives you an audience of one. Be glad he isn’t in a hurry
and always has time for you. Be glad that while some are looking for glory, he
is the glory we seek, and makes it personal. Just like he did on the cross, to
his disciples, and like he does for us. And like he did that day at the Chapel
for me. When God gets the glory, we get the blessings, and we cannot keep them
to ourselves. For love must be shared, as God shared his son with us.
I am not ready to be an Eagle fan, the whole NFL attitude is putting me
off, and I find there are other things to do, like riding. I stand for the
National Anthem out of respect. Out of what it stands for, and what it means to
be an American. A nation where God shed his grace on thee, like no other in the
history of the world. I see Jesus in it, and stand for him, and with him. When
I bend my knee it is in reverence and to pray, not to protest. By my actions I
hope Jesus will show in my life. If you are protesting something, what are you
standing for? Are you the center of attention? The Eagles players get it, they
have won the battle, and next week will have another. In this world we will
have tribulation, but all things work together for those who love the Lord and
are called. It works in locker rooms, it worked that day at Shanksville, will
it work in you? Curtain time, your audience awaits. Let the spirit
begin....and in of all places Philadephia, the city of brotherly love, that once
booed the Pope!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com