2 Corinthians 11:25,26 “Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea…”
Paul’s life was one of incredible variety, challenge, adventure and suffering. The last thing you would say about it was that it was dull. As we follow Christ faithfully, our life may have some dreary patches but in general it won’t be dull either.
Wes Seliger is an Anglican priest and also a petrol head. One day he was checking out a beautiful Honda 750 on display at a bike shop and regretting that his career path meant he couldn’t afford to buy it. A salesman saw the look in his eyes and started on his pitch with gusto, mentioning the head-turning growl of the pipes, the speed, acceleration, excitement, the potential to woo beautiful women, and more. Then he asked Wes what he did for a living, and the sales patter suddenly changed! In an instant the bike had become practical, with good mileage, and would be a sensible choice.
Reflecting on the incident, Wes observed: “Lawnmower salesmen are not surprised to find clergymen looking at their merchandise; motorcycle salesmen are. Why? Does this tell us something about clergymen and about the church? Lawnmowers are slow, safe, sane, practical, and middle-class. Motorcycles are fast, dangerous, wild, thrilling.” Then Wes asked: “Is being a Christian more like mowing a lawn or like riding a motorcycle? Is the Christian life safe and sound or dangerous and exciting?” He concluded: “The common image of the church is pure lawnmower – slow, deliberate, plodding. Our task is to take the church out on the open road, give it the gas, and see what the old baby will do!”
Is my faith a lawnmower faith or a motorcycle faith? And is my church a lawnmower church or a motorcycle church? Maybe it’s time we took more risks for God.
Lord, more motorcycle less lawnmower please! Amen!
Leave a Reply