We literally wear our faith on our sleeve.
FREEDOM TOUR jerseys intentionally display the cross of Jesus on each sleeve. Of course the cool colors, the designs, words, and logos are important.
The cross is the focus.
We want to be clear about who we’re following on this adventure. The cross is partly a sign to the folks we encounter, a way of stating what we stand for.
It’s risky, wearing your faith on your sleeve. If you’re going to make that sort of symbolic statement, you need to pay careful attention to choices and behaviors.
I think the cross on the sleeve mostly serves as a reminder – to us. If we really want people to see Jesus, we must take Him seriously.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The FREEDOM TOUR is a community, and community is hard…especially with other people. Riding, eating, living in close proximity, confronting inevitable conflicts with patience and love – all of that requires commitment and sacrifice. We don’t do it perfectly. The cross on the sleeve indicates our desire to try.
We share roads with sometimes-impatient or less-than-courteous drivers. Our response shows people whether we’re serious about the cross on the sleeve.
Wherever we go, whatever we do, we do our best to align our interactions, choices, and behaviors with the values behind the cross on the sleeve.
The cross on the sleeve means a commitment to Jesus’ words in Matthew 25. We’re supporting kids rescued from a life of sexual slavery, doing what we can for the oppressed. The prisoner. The refugee.
All true, but that attitude of love needs to show up in how we treat one another. In our problem solving and conflict resolution. In our politics.
It needs to show up in grace and forgiveness and service.
That’s how we give meaning to the cross on the sleeve.