Personal Fulfillment
History gives us several examples, but none is more graphic than a king named Solomon. He had everything – wealth, wisdom, worldwide recognition, and an ever-deepening weariness. Hear him as he laments the emptiness of life: “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)
Describing his unbridled pursuit of pleasure, he confesses, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desire; I refused my heart no pleasure…but that also proved to be meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 2:10, 11)
He’s the head of state, the King of Israel, a popular and effective leader who literally transforms his nation into a world power. His domestic programs made Israel the envy of all her neighbors. He undertook great projects and amassed enormous wealth, yet without experiencing personal fulfillment.
What a tragedy! An aging king, self-absorbed in the trappings of wealth and power, known worldwide for his wisdom and his achievements, recognized as the most powerful man on earth – yet desperately unhappy. In frustration he writes, “…I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All if it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:17)
Solomon’s life was empty and meaningless, in spite of all his achievements, because he lived only for himself; he had no higher goals than his own fulfillment.
Bikers' Church
I was on the church telephone with a missionary friend when all of a sudden the line went dead. A few seconds later the phone rang again and I quickly picked it up without saying the usual, "Hello, this is Pastor Terry" or "Hello, Christ's Chapel. May I help you?" Instead, I just said, "Hey!" assuming it was my missionary friend calling back. I was wrong. It was somebody I had never met or spoken with who had just prayed that God would let him speak to me. This was how Al Abrams and I began our friendship that is now in its fourth year and how I was first introduced to the world of bikers.
Pastor Al and Dana now oversee Bikers' Church, an ongoing ministry here at Christ's Chapel. Every Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m., area bikers and friends of this ministry meet to worship the Lord and discover God's purpose for life. Beginning yesterday, here on our church property, we've had a festival of sorts that's called "Bikers' Weekend Rally." To make sure we all have the opportunity to see what this ministry is about, there's an entire afternoon filled with games and activities for both adults and children. Tonight at 6:00 p.m. there is a concert as well.
Bikers' Church has now become part of the DNA of our congregation. I feel blessed to work so closely with Pastor Al and Dana and believe the Lord is going to continue to show favor to this ministry. This morning, Pastor Al is going to share the good news of what God is doing in his life personally and the overall Bikers' Church ministry. I ask you to bless this ministry in whatever way you can. Tell your biker friends about it and let's ask God to increase their influence into our community.