It ahs been said that true character is what is revealed in the tough
situations. Standing firm when it would be easy to run. Many examples are
found in scripture, David when he meets Goliath, Job being tested, and Joseph
being sold by his brothers. Sometimes we can see the test coming, but mostly it
takes us by surprise. And in a world of fake news, lies and liars, and people
who are the “do as I say, not as I do” type, it is always good to know Jesus has
everything under control. When we don’t, can’t or won’t, he does. Hopefully
you have some examples in your own life of when God intervenes, if not maybe you
just aren’t looking.
If Frank hadn’t gone on to heaven, I would get a hearty amen from him. One
of the few men I would ever ride with, we did local and coast to coast, and
always shared intimacies about what the spirit had shown us. We were both in
the same national ministry, and at their state rally one year, he was excited
because his brother Tracy was coming, after battling some poor choices in life.
Held in Mariposa on Highway 49, if you never rode it, you need to, maybe the
best roads anywhere, and so many of them. So after the evening welcoming, and
Saturday morning worship, the four of us, with Theresa on back took off. Now
one of the great things about riding with Frank was he was good, and you didn’t
have to explain how fast or quick you were. So with me leading, Frank followed
and kept his eye on Tracy, each of us riding our own ride. After covering some
quick toads and looking back and no sign of Frank, we turned back, and couldn’t
find him. Riding further, our worst fears filling our heads, we found him
talking to some guys in a pick up. Who wondered if the guy they had seen go off
the road was with us.....
So racing back while praying, we found Tracy had not navigated an off
camber S turn like the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca, but with huge boulders. He was
sitting up, his bike wedged between two boulders, inches from hitting one head
on. Miracle one. While we secured the area and did basic first aid, no blood
but lots of shoulder and internal damage we would find out later, Frank was able
to get through to CSF, who responded in this remote area. By the time they
arrived and took Tracy to the ER, we had the area under control, directing
traffic, dealing with Tracy, and calming Frank. God had been gracious in how
and where he had crashed, and sent the right men we needed from CDF. Finally
faced with what to do with Tracy’s bike, one of the young CDF firemen called his
dad, who had a truck and ramp, and agreed to store it until insurance would haul
it away. When we had done all we could, Frank followed Tracy and Theresa and I
went back to the fairgrounds, looking for those in charge and to alert them and
pray. What we found was much different than the accident scene, as they were
too busy to even stop and listen to me, only when I insisted and told them rider
down did they acknowledge me, seems they were too busy planning the nights
events to spare a few moments or even show compassion. And these guy were the
face of a motorcycle ministry! If planning was more important than a person who
had crashed, maybe I was in the wrong ministry. Seems their true colors were
revealed, giving testimony to what I had been told and denied. I wonder how
they would have handled the crash, I can only imagine the whining and crying if
it had been one of them. True colors, not the colors they sported on their
back. Religion at its worst, not my idea of ministry or a God I would wish to
serve. But like Joseph, what the devil had meant for evil, God had meant for
good. To bring him glory, to grow and bless us, and to reveal our true colors.
Word carries quickly in the countryside, and the firemen who arrived had
publicly told others of how the accident scene was under control, with a calm
and peace when the arrived. It seems they were used to so called Christians who
panic, who tell them how to do their job, and insist on “me first.” What they
had found that day was just the opposite, telling others about us, “you guys
had walked your talk.” An effective witness of Jesus Christ, where our
reactions often tell more about him than our actions. This ministry was nothing
more than a thinly disguised social club, proven by their reactions. I mean, can
you not stop and pray for one of your own, a downed biker.....what does your
patch say?
And it seemed Tracy had some hospital time to look forward to, he was
pretty banged up and would heal. His bike totaled. And we would see him one
more time, where our true colors would again be on display. Seems Frank has
another brother Mike, who shuns Jesus and Christians in particular. He probably
knows men like the so called leaders who were too busy to even listen. But
somehow happened to be in the area that weekend, and three brothers who hadn’t
seen each other very much, were gathered together in a hospital room. And after
praying for Tracy, Frank pulled me aside and told me of his brother Mike.
Somehow he had seen the love of real Christian men and women, not the church
crowd type, and had joined hands and bowed and prayed with us. A first time he
would even acknowledge Jesus. He was able to see the true colors of Jesus, and
Frank was blown away. Again what the devil had meant for evil, God had a
different idea. A miracle for Frank, but proving how God has everything under
control...even when we are out of control.
If you remember, Satan accusing Job of being one of God’s pretty boys, and
challenging God to test him. But like any good attorney, when God asked him
“have you considered my servant Job,” he knew Job knew him well enough, and the
agreement was set, by God, you cannot take his life. To Satan he couldn’t care
less about Job, he just wanted to be God.....if only for a moment. Sometimes I
wonder if in my trials and tribulations God is not bragging on some of us. To
prove his sovereignty, but also to grow us in him. I cannot think of a bad time
when God didn’t have everything under his control, and all we had to do was obey
and turn to him. Just like we did on the side of the road....where our true
colors and God’s true colors shined that afternoon. And how he used an accident
to heal three brothers relationships.
We never like the test, but it is important to remember Job was given twice
of what he had before. David slew Goliath, and Joseph ended up rescuing his
brothers and reuniting his family. Too often we only look at the situation when
we should be looking to God. To the one who so loved us he sent his only son
Jesus to die for us, so our relationship with him could be rescued. That day
our character was tested, who do our lives really say Jesus is? Both Martha and
Mary had priorities when Jesus came to visit, Jesus reminded Martha the
importance of them, both were needed, but Mary saw the big picture, it wasn’t
about here, it was abut Jesus. His words, “Mary has chosen better, it will not
be taken away from her.” There will be other meetings, rallies, and
emergencies. Who Jesus is in your life will show....who are you trying to
impress, a group of people or God.....Don’t answer....you may not like the
truth....or your true colors exposed.
And of course we all remember the good Samaritan don’t we? So please,
don’t put your colors on your back if it isn’t what’s in your heart. You will
be tested!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com