Biker Believers

 This week, November 2-5, half a million bikers will show up in Galveston for the Lone Star Rally, the largest motorcycle rally in Texas. They come from all walks of life with a shared love for the road, the wind and the machine.  Normally the Seawall hums with the quiet traffic of tourists, the squeal of children playing on the beach and the rumble of waves breaking on the shore.  But this week, it will vibrate with the thunder of Harley Davidsons.

 I have always liked bikes.  I got my first motor scooter when I was 13.  Two years later, my first motorcycle.  It wasn’t much.  I didn’t have much money, only a 175 cc engine.  It would only do 45 mph, that is until I took the engine apart and cleaned out the exhaust ports.  Then it would do 75.  Great fun! 

 After I became a pastor, I found myself serving a church where many of the members had motorcycles.  I bought a Suzuki.  Again, not much of a bike because, again, I didn’t have much money.  But my wife rode with me and I was able to go on some bike rides with my members.  I took my son on a ride and toured Pea Ridge, Civil War battlefield in northwest Arkansas.

 I never owned a Harley, but a few years ago I visited the Harley Davidson plant in Kansas City with a group of church leaders interested in Harley Davidson.  I listened as a young man introduced himself as a disciple of Jesus Christ disguised as a Harley Davidson executive.

 Of course, not all Bikers are Christian or gentle.  Eight years ago, on a quiet Sunday afternoon in Waco, Texas, my wife and I happened upon the scene at Twin Peaks Restaurant where conflict between two biker gangs erupted into a shootout.  Nine bikers were killed, and 18 others wounded.

 A few years ago, I served as coach to a pastor who was starting a Biker Church, a church for people who served their community and shared their faith as biker enthusiasts.  The church met on Thursday nights for worship and participated in biker rides and rallies on the weekend. They raised money for those in need and started a Bible-base ministry for substance abuse. Bikers for Christ has more than 100 chapters in 20 countries and thousands of members worldwide.

 When I turned 60, I bought a Kawasaki, again a used bike, but by far the best and fastest bike I ever owned.  I went down on it at 60 mph but my full-face helmet and the Lord saved my life.   I survived with only a couple of broken ribs and road rash.  I still love bikes.

 If the Apostle Peter lived today, perhaps he would be a biker.  After all he was a rough fisherman when Jesus met him and he was prone to jump out of boats.  Jesus loved him and made him the leader of his followers.  When I think about Jesus, the places he went, the people he befriended, it makes think He would love bikers.