"Jesus loves bikers"

On a cool fall day marred with intermittent rain I paused before packing up my camera.

The “occasion” was an annual motorcycle event that draws thousands of bikers to our small island community. On a sunny day, long lines of colorful bikes and gleaming chrome make for interesting shots. This was not one of those days, and if rain dampened my enthusiasm, you can imagine its impact on bikers exposed to the elements.

Inspired by a patch of blue sky, I parked and started out on foot to walk the long blocks of city street packed with four rows of motorcycles. It is always dangerous to generalize about people gathered for public events, but suffice it to say there were some elements of the rally that reflected a passion more attuned to soul than spirit.

I hadn’t moved very far into the street when I noticed most of the traffic control personnel in yellow vests had something in common: many of them had vests or caps that featured the logo of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA).

Intrigued by this contingent of volunteers I moved up the street. Before long I noticed a CMA booth situated on a side street. Just a few blocks away, a small crowd and a handful of bikes were gathered at a tent with an identifying sign that read: “Bike blessing.”

My “assignment” was clear. I began to gather a collection of photos of CMA volunteers, some doing traffic control, others chatting with passersby and still others huddled in prayer around bikes bound for the open road. How encouraging to see Christian brothers and sisters who committed to His service on a rainy Sunday. How wonderful to see the smiles, to see heads bowed in prayer.

On my way out of the event I had one more surprise. Over massive speakers I heard the name “Jesus” from the lips of a singer on stage. Sure enough, one of the bands performing on a side street stage was singing to the glory of God.

Like firemen headed into the fire while most others run the other way, these teams of CMA volunteers moved into a mass gathering of bikers with the intent of service in Jesus’ name. Demonstrations of the Good Shepherd's love, in word and action.

“Well done, good and faithful servants!”