“A horse is a horse, of course, of course...” goes the lines to the famous
talking horse Mr. Ed’s theme song. But it is not unusual to talk to a horse,
but the fact that the horse talks back. And so it goes when meeting people
sometimes, like celebrities, we all know what we would like to say to them, but
would they give you the answer that you endorse? I was at the Anaheim
Motorcycle Show circa 1989, just wandering around, when I walked up to a man who
was sitting at a podium all by himself. Making eye contact we had to talk, so
just small talk about the show, riding, and where we were from. We had done all
the small talk we could, and he asked “do you want me to sign a poster for
you?” “Sure, who are you?” It was Eddie Lawson, two time Superbike Champ, as
he introduced himself, grinning. Nothing fancy about him, we both got a laugh
out of it, and when others saw him, a crowd rushed over. We shook hands,
grinned at our chance meeting, and I left him to the autograph crowd, without a
signed poster. I wish I had a signed poster to prove it...what was I
thinking?
I was hanging at Mickey’s doing a bike swap, when an old pickup backed in
with a Bonneville dressed for racing. He started talking to Mickey like he knew
him, and soon both guys were hurling cuss words at each other, joking at first,
then it got heated. While I stood waiting for some action, that didn’t happen.
The guy in the truck threw a shirt at Mick, he threw it back, “who the $%^&*
are you?” “It ‘s me, Eddie!” And suddenly it dawned on us who he was, Eddie
Mulder, famous racer from the good old days. And the joke was on all of us, and
we began to talk a different tone as I was introduced to him, I knew the legend,
now I had me the man. He left the Bonneville as arranged on the phone with
Mick, and gave him some signed shirts. I wish I had one, would make a nice
piece with the Lawson poster I passed on...
You might think, where else would you expect to meet champion racers except
for a show or a shop? But as we will see, God has his apostles in places we
least expect, with results even more unexpected. While some seek all the glory,
these two men were there for the crowd, a crowd of one or two including me. But
just as the show was filled, somehow Eddie and I met and visited without
pretense, with Eddie Mulder it was a bit different. In Acts we see Philip on
the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, when he comes upon a eunuch. A much different
setting than Peter addressing the 5000, but with the same results, salvation. On
a dusty, desert road, dry and barren, an angel of the Lord directed him to his
appointed date, and salvation occurred. The same spirit that directed Peter
directed Philip, meeting him in the desert, far away from any type of religious
meeting place. But it is the way Phil reacted, while some of us would call
around bragging on what God had said, or call a pastor to pray, or spend time in
prayer making sure it was God’s voice, Phil just acted as told. He left the
training session in Samaria and went out, and ministered. We tend to think
evangelism is inviting someone to church, but real evangelism occurs like Jesus
told us, as we go. As we go about our day, our job, our ride, or our life, he
is with us, and we never know who we shall encounter. There are more ways to
show the gospel and this is what Acts is saying, in the spirit we have the power
to override traditions, plans, programs, and processes in the name of Jesus. We
don’t have to wait for a church’s blessing, or a pastor’s approval, we need to
move in the spirit that Jesus left to guide us. And when we do, the miracles
occur. We are not to be so organized, so legalistic that we miss the call, we
need to allow the spirit to move within us. When God says go, he means
go....
Yet too many act like the other end of the horse, and can end up needing
help to be rescued. Thinking a big Bible, a Christian t-shirt, or bumper
sticker is an evangelistic tool. They may be a great way to meet other
believers, but when I see one coming, I go the other way. I don’t preach at
anyone, please don’t preach at me. You may not know who you are talking to. I
only ask one favor, please don’t do anything to me that I will have to forgive
you for. I met Jesus on a beach in Venice while running one night, not all get
saved in church, some are saved from church. Listen to what the spirit is saying
and then obey. There may be more than a poster or shirt in it for you.
Angels are always ministering, even to us, many times unknown. Sent by God
to protect and deliver a message, the word angel means messenger. You never
know who you will encounter, I talked with two Mr. Ed’s, and have nothing to
show for it other than the memories. Meeting Jesus is no coincidence, don’t
pass him by, or the chance to show his love, the great commandment. You may be
in the midst of greatness and not realize it. But those who call upon the name
of the Lord, it’s standard operating procedure. At the show, at the shop, in
the barn, or along the road, a horse is a horse, but Jesus will always be
Jesus. He’s always on a steady course....take the time, you’ll be glad you
did.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com