So, I hate my bike helmet. I really do. Every time I put it on, I feel like a complete goober and imagine that every cool, hipster ASU student in Tempe is secretly mocking me as I pass them on their ridiculously large cruiser bikes. I just feel so uncool.
Why do I wear this stupid thing?
My first thought is that I’m a dad. I make my three-year old, Liam, wear a helmet. It would be hypocritical for me to not do the same. And that’s true. But I’ve often teetered on the edge of not wearing a helmet on my ride, knowing that Liam would be none-the-wiser…which makes me realize how much I suck when I’m contemplating ways to pull a fast one on my own son!
One of my favorite movies is Garden State. It’s the story of Andrew Largeman, played by Zach Braff, who goes to New Jersey for his mother’s funeral after years of separation in L.A. The movie is a study in change: how people change and yet stay the same.
One particular scene is quite poignant. Out for a late night ride on his old motorcycle, Andrew is pulled over by a cop who approaches Andrew with a hostile attitude, yelling profanities at him.
And then, all of sudden, Andrew realizes this cop is his old friend, Kenny. After talking for a bit, Andrew says, “But Kenny, the last time I saw you, you were doing coke lines off a urinal.”
Kenny responds, “I know, I know, man…but it was time for me to grow up, you know?”
Later, at a drunken, drug-filled party, we learn that Kenny has changed but not really. He became a cop for all the wrong reasons. His exterior persona has changed, but on the inside he’s still that kid who loves to party. He hasn’t grown up, really. He’s just taken on the appearance of responsibility.
I Need to be Transformed
As Christians, we are not called to just grow up. We are called to be transformed. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Many of us are like, Kenny. We take on the appearance of responsibility and maturity, but secretly we are still the little boy or girl that struggles with the same sins and insecurities from our past.
For me, I struggle with the opinions of man. I hate my bike helmet because I feel uncool. But I wear it because I care more about my safety and making smart decisions so that I can be there for my family.
Everything is Spiritual
This may sound silly, but I think my bike helmet is spiritual. In fact, everything is spiritual. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:31). Everyday, I have to die to myself and live in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).
My decision to wear my bike helmet so that I can have a better chance to live for my family is a decision to die to myself and live in Christ – to put my pride aside so that I can live for others, my family, whom I’m called to lead and serve.
Only by daily dying to our self and living in Christ can we be truly fulfilled, truly transformed, and truly grow up.
What are the areas where you’ve taken on the appearance of maturity but not actually been transformed?
I encourage you to daily examine your heart and ask God to lead you by His Holy Spirit to daily keep you in Christ.
[Photo from Jeremysabol]
Great post Jake. I love it for so many reasons. One is a mutual love of Garden State which holds a special place in my heart as well. Another is your reference of doing coke lines off of urinals in comparison to you not wanting to wear your bike helmet while riding to the church office. Somehow it all works though and you made some great points. Thanks for writing.