Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1512449
Staying the Course Marty Edwards Ten year old Ethan negotiated a deal with his father for some basic yard work. "Mow and edge the front and back lawns, rake the clippings and leaves, and I will pay you twenty dollars when you are finished!" said Ethan's dad. That was a lot of money for a kid Ethan's age, but then again, it was a fair amount of work as well. The money would pay for half of the cost of that sweet skateboard Ethan had been looking at - so he shook his dad's hand and went to work. By the time noon came around the sun was hot. Ethan had finished the front and back lawns but he skipped the edging, thinking his dad wouldn't notice - but his dad did. It would be another couple of weeks before Ethan would be riding that new skate board - because he had taken his eyes off of the prize and failed to stay the course. The Apostle Paul had a deep desire and seemed to know it was not going to be easy. In the third chapter of Philippians we read Paul saying, "I want to know Christ— yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Later, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul challenged his readers, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 The Apostle Paul counted the cost and paid the price to intimately know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and we can rightfully assume that he did indeed "reap a harvest" having been faithful till the end. Historians debate the exact date or manner in which Paul died, but it is almost universally accepted that he was indeed martyred. Based on historical events of the day, it is likely that Paul was beheaded, possibly around the same time that Peter was crucified. Staying the course was costly for them. In fact, 10 of the 12 apostles were martyred. (Judas committed suicide and John likely died in prison of old age.) Some will conclude that I am being too literal or too dramatic when I compare the Black Sheep challenge of "Stay the Course" to Christian martyrs in the first century. Maybe they prefer the analogy of Ethan failing to finish his lawn work, but if we take seriously the mission of BSHDFC, we must take seriously the commitment we each made when we completed mentorship and embraced the pledge. (Remember how energized and excited you were when you first joined the flock?) Since I have retired as the international "P" of BSHDFC, people often ask me questions like, "What was the best [or worst] part of being the president of Black Sheep?" My answer is always the same: The best part was watching the faithfulness of members who worked hard to reach and love other riders in creative ways. The worst part was watching people quit - many for frivolous or ridiculous reasons. There are, of course, plenty of legitimate reasons to quit or resign from our ministry. Some left because they could not afford to keep their Harley-Davidson. Others quit at the request of their spouse who thought what we did was far too dangerous. As some got older, they weren't necessarily sick or handicapped, but they did indeed have a decline in their balance, eye-sight or concentration. These were all legitimate reasons for leaving or retiring, but the ones that broke my heart were those who simply quit because (a) they had a squabble with leadership or another member, or just got their feelings hurt or didn't get their way. (b) Some just decided to do something else or (c) they simply did not want to do the work required of motorcycle ministry. Yeah, motorcycle ministry is a lot of fun - and it is a lot of work as well (if you're doing it right). For many, BSHDFC is truly a holy commitment. They take the bylaws, the mission statement and the pledge very seriously. Some left BSHDFC the same way that some might change churches, quit a menial job or leave the Kiwanis Club. But if you believe we are a ministry organization reaching a large group of people that the church or no other MC or MM will likely reach, then you know that BSHDFC has a unique, strategic, and critical mission to complete. I attend a great church like you probably do - but they're not reaching out to bikers - and of all the motorcycle ministries out there, only BSHDFC has boldly committed our concentration and focus on Harley Owners Group (and of course other riders as we can.). I have heard more than one member scoff, "HOG is just a bunch of yuppies!" Maybe? Maybe not - but I know that Jesus loves HOG members as much as He does anyone else, and we're the only ones supposedly reaching out to HOG - so I choose, again, to stay the course. A river cuts through the rock NOT because of its power, but because of its persistence! We can shine brightly in our efforts with a lot of consistent little steps! Success will come when we simply refuse to quit! So Sheep...live like lions! Set goals and then smash them! SHOW people who we are and never apologize for being awesome! Stay positive! Stay in prayer! Maybe even FAST and pray for the results you are looking for! Stay the course and do not quit - for Christ's sake! Our mission remains critical. a