Christian Motorcyclist's Colors: The Patch Symbolizes

Colours Of Distinction
By Marian Warkentin
As we travel on our motorcycles, the wind in our faces, the miles quickly slipping away, we tend to notice other motorcyclists. Each of them displaying their own uniqueness from the bike they ride, to the clothes on their backs. When one of them has a particular affiliation with a motorcycle club or organization, this is usually clearly seen by the patch they wear on their back. As with many biker organizations, CMA has its own unique back patch that members wear.
The CMA back patch boldly symbolizes the wearer’s faith and commitment to their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. In the early days of the Christian Motorcyclist Association, many members worked hard to earn the degree of respect that these colours now receive. Those pioneers of CMA proved their trustworthiness and faithfulness through many trials. It was because of this work that the CMA colours now open many doors of opportunity for our members. Bikers displaying the CMA colours have been given opportunities to volunteer at many of these rallies, making them more visible and much more approachable.
The CMA colours symbolize God’s love and forgiveness for an almost-forgotten segment of society – the hare core biker. As we wear them, we plant seeds of hope in the lives of those who see them. At times, those colours act as the voice of conscience for the back-slidden Christian and the voice of condemnation for those lost in the jaws of the occult. The colours symbolize the protection that the bearers are under – the protection of Jesus Christ himself. He sends His ministering angels to help us in all situations that we face when we go out into the highways and byways of the motorcycling community.
The wearing of the colours can bring about some very unique opportunities for ministry, as was the case with one of our members, Dwight Hyndman. Dwight was enroute to do prison ministry at the Bowden Penitentiary, when he was led to help someone. Riding along on his motorcycle, he noticed a motorist in a car waving at him, indicating for him to pull over. Dwight wondered what the motorist was getting at. He knew there was nothing wrong with his bike. He gave the man a questioning look. That was when the man made the gesture of praying with his hands, and Dwight pulled over. The man had been traveling down the highway, hurt and confused. Circumstances in his life had overshadowed him and he didn’t know what to do. When he saw the colours on Dwight’s back, he saw hope, and he needed to talk. He poured out his heartache to Dwight, who led him in a prayer of hope.
God has used these colours in many other ways; to soften the hearts of the most hardened of bikers. He continues to do so today. CMA-ers are visible ambassadors for Christ. They represent Him to those around them, and many times they are the only representatives that some motorcyclists will ever interact with. Ambassadors of nations are required to follow a standard code of conduct if they wish to keep their responsibilities. They represent all the people of the nation of which they are a part. So too, it is with CMA-ers who wish to have an affect on those they meet. When CMA members act in an ungodly manner (whether they are wearing the colours at the time or not), they are not only bringing disgrace to fellow members, but also on the One whom they serve. The Bible sets forth standards, which we must adhere to if we are to remain effective witnesses for Christ.
Sometimes we find ourselves defeated in the spiritual battle and fall prey to sin. That can at times take such firm root, that we cannot get out. At those times we need the help of our fellow Christians to pull us out and help us back up. When someone struggles with unrelenting sin. That person may need to remove their colours until they have made a full recovery, and are ready once again to resume the responsibility of being Christ’s representative. It is our hope that members will do so on their own during these times.
If we see a brother or sister in Christ struggling in the depth of despair, we need to go to that person and lend them a hand. None of us are to go it alone. We need each other. Just as a rope is strengthened by the number of strands, so too we are able to draw strength from the number of people around us, helping us through difficult times. When we reach out to that person we do so in love, never in condemnation, remembering that, but for the grace of God, it could be us – temptation happens to everyone.
CMA has guidelines regarding the use to CMA logo that is spelled out in the Canadian Guideline Book, on pages 3 to 4. This book is available from your local chapter, or you can order one through the national office in Red Deer. All members should familiarize themselves with them, and adhere to them.