Riding for Christ

                                     Photo Credit: www.riff.it

I was scanning the news for Christian Bikers and I saw that Bikers For Christ MM is opening a new Chapter in Eufaula, Alabama. I will pray that my brothers in the wind will reach many people in that community for Christ.

I was thinking a lot about my own past this last week. I remember a time in my life when I would have laughed at the thought of wearing a Christian patch on my back. When I was in the world I thought Christians were weak, and I thought Christian bikers looked silly. Before my Christian brothers out there get steamed—let me tell you—God humbled my sorry butt.

I gave 14 years of my life to an organization. It is not important which one or who, and I hold not anger toward them; however, I found out the hard way that relationships should never be solely based on a patch—a piece of cloth sewn on a jacket or vest. If your opinion differs from mine, then God bless you, I`m simply sharing my own personal opinion and experience.

I have many friends who wear the 1% diamond and I respect their views and their lifestyle. God is a gentleman; he never forces his will or his ways upon us as his kids. Therefore, like Jesus, I will do what I see my Father in Heaven do—I will let you decide about your own views and I speak mainly to my Christian brothers in the Wind who wear a Christian patch.

What I mean to say is that relationships under the authority of God should never be attached to a patch. We as Christians must never let “The Patch” become what we are about. The patch we wear tells who we are—servants of Jesus. It holds us accountable in the community and where we ride. We should never let our behavior display anything other than what our Lord Jesus would be proud to see us doing. We no longer have the right to make colors, or a patch, the main focus of our riding or our brotherhood and sisterhood; all that died on the cross as we became new in Christ.

I remembered a couple of stories that come to my mind as I try to convey my point here. The first was from a friend of mine who started a local chapter of a motorcycle ministry in his area. He went to see the local 1% organization to pay his respects. Do you know what that 1%`er said to him? He said, “I see more trouble in my area from so called “Christian” and “Sober” groups than any other new group of riders.” Wow, is that not telling or what.

Another story that comes to my mind was when I was still in the world. I rode to a homeless shelter looking for an old friend. It happened that the place was run by a Christian MM. I remember that these guys seemed hard, arrogant, and acted as if they were on the defensive because I had colors on. I simply asked for the info I needed and left—totally unimpressed. As I rode away my false and wrong opinions of Christians were more entrenched than ever before. I later heard that this group split because one side wanted to serve the Lord, and the other side wanted to be bikers first and Christians second.

In my old organization, I was a leader. I was popular and held power and ego. When I finally fell from my lofty pedestal it was a long hard fall. I hurt people, I lied, I was violent, and I reaped the harvest of the seeds I had sewn for many years. Let me say that I am lucky to be alive today.

When I was saved I swore I would never wear any patch ever again. I knew I could not go back to my old life, but I still held my opinions about the Christian biker groups as well. Then, I met my pastor. He was a man who had come from the old school world of biking. He had a history. He told me his testimony and I was floored that such a man could be so transparent and real, so gentle yet strong, and such a wise example of a true Christian Biker. I watched him and the others for several months. I watched for politics, envy, power struggles, and ego. I watched who they associated with and if they supported any MC politics. The answer was no to all of these things. I saw a group of bikers, some with real history, live like real Christian men should live and ride.

I soon decided to join the ministry and it has changed my life. I am still a biker, I still love my Harley, and I still ride hard, but I do so for Christ. I hope to be able to show humility and grace, as well as, forgiveness and a softhearted willingness to mete out mercy rather than justice. I want to truly be a “sheep in wolves clothing.” I hope this story helps my Christian brothers out there to remember why we ride and who we ride for. Amen

WP