I was on my way to church today, when a truck passed me, looping in and out of traffic. I had seen him in my rearview mirror, and knew that he was going to be a crazy driver. I think it was a white truck, but I couldn’t really tell, because all of the sides of his truck, as well as his entire rear, were covered in bumper stickers. Over the course of several traffic lights (for all the zigging and zagging he did, he never did get ahead of me), I had a chance to read some of them. Everything from rock bands to political commentary to pets and veterans were all promoted on his vehicle, although he “supported” so many things, it is hard to believe he really supported anything substantially. But he also had a sticker that said “Put Christ back in Christmas!”
At first I was willing to overlook all the busy-ness and praise him for at least having something of faith in all the other stuff, but his driving got in the way. In short, he was a crazy driver, tailgating people, shooting across lanes, and so on. I was reminded of a fictional story about a police officer who pulled over a driver, initially for reckless driving. As he approached, he saw a religious bumper sticker. He then asked the driver to get out of the car and spread his hands and feet. “What is my offense?” the driver asked. “Well, I was going to pull you over for reckless driving, but I am also going to arrest you for stealing a car.” “Sir,” said the driver, “this is my car, I can prove it with my license and registration.” “I’m not sure I believe you,” said the officer. “No one who takes their Christian faith seriously, as your bumper sticker suggests, would drive the way you are, and put others’ lives at risk.” To which the driver realized his mistake.
And so it was with this truck that was in front of me. His driving did not reflect the faith he proclaimed in his bumper sticker. I thought of all the ways Christians put our faith out in front of others, whether it is shirts we wear, crosses around our necks, or, putting Christmas lights on our house. And then I thought that if people could see Jesus in how we acted towards others, from our driving to our verbal interactions to the way we carry ourselves and our willingness to build meaningful relationships, that might that be a profound way of proclaiming the birth of Jesus, and letting our lights and our greetings be a secondary signal to the faith that is inside of us.
May this time of worship be meaningful to you today.
Blessings Sonny
386.255.2588
secretary@centralbc.org
