Motorcycles, Tattoos, and God

I was just surfing through the UD Riders Association site and among other really cool things on the site, I finally saw the link to our blog. Seeing the image of praying for our daily bread alongside motorcycle groups, police associations, and some of the great causes the Riders Association supports really made me think about a dream of mine (and God's too!)

It goes along with one of my favorite passages of scripture found in Luke 7. Jesus is eating with a religious leader and a prostitute comes up and begins weeping at his feet. She literally washes the Lord's feet with her tears and her hair. The indignant religious leader can't believe that Jesus would associate with such a person. Jesus replies simply that He didn't come to save those who think they have it all together and all figured out; he came to heal those who are hurting and feel lost at times.

You know, I feel lost at times. I don't fit in with the religious crowds that "have it all together" and play the neat little church game. I love motorcycles, my family, tattoos, rock 'n roll, and GOD! There are a whole bunch of people out there who couldn't possibly see how that all fits together but God does. If I ever pastor an actual church, I want long haired, tattoo covered, motorcycle riding, raw and genuine people in my congregation. People who can relate to the Big and Rich song (hey, I like a little country too!) that says, "somewhere between raising hell and amazing grace is the place that I keep finding myself."

I think three groups are naturally drawn to be followers of Christ: motorcycle riders (the real kind, not crotch-rocket guys who only care about going fast and are asphalt blood stains waiting to happen), our military members, and police officers. I know that these are groups who are typically viewed as tough and self'-sufficient, and that is probably the hardest thing about reaching these groups. In these circles, it is commonly viewed as weakness to use the "crutch" of faith. Most Christians are viewed as soft and unable to be as firm and assertive as needed to fit in these groups. But Jesus was no pansy. The man was a carpenter who worked hard. He made his own whip and drove the moneychangers out of the temple. He didn't let the religious leaders push Him around. And He willingly gave His life for each one of ours by enduring the worst form of death imaginable.

So, here is why I make this assertion, the people I mentioned, in general, get what the early church was all about. Rarely in other circles will you find such loyalty, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and willingness to put others ahead of themselves. If you read the book of Acts, it doesn't take long to figure out that God intends the church to be a place where people take care of one another and those around them who are in need. They believed in Jesus so deeply and were committed to spreading His message of hope to the point of giving up their own lives that others might hear of Christ's promise of salvation. I just see a natural fit. But then again, I see a church with its own tattoo parlor...