Not So Hot
When it comes to faith, keep it cool.
What do Velcro, beer, and Star Wars have in common? Besides appearing next to each other in my morning newspaper yesterday, they provide a lesson about the dangers of extremism. And the benefits of everyday, average Joe and Jane faith.
Did you know this year marks the 50th anniversary of Velcro? Think for a second how much Velcro has changed over the years … none. Okay, different colors, but that’s it. Same fuzzy stuff on one side. Same hook type prickly stuff on the other side. Nothing fancy. It just “sticks” to the basics.
Like the apostles commissioned by Jesus to be his witnesses. They couldn’t compare to the prestige of the religious leaders of the day as much as our witnessing can’t compare to the persuasive tones of a TV preacher. So what. Maybe the only thing that needs to change to make us better witnesses is realizing that sticking to the basics works for Velcro and for sharing our faith.
It also helps us avoid bad decisions, like the parent of a 5-year-old who was ticketed in Australia for neglecting to buckle his child in the back seat of the car while driving. Oh, did I mention that instead of safely snapping in the child he strapped the seat belt around a case of beer? Okay, let’s be kind and assume that for every other car ride this dad actually did buckle up his child. He never received any reward for any of the times he clicked that seat belt securely around his precious child. But the one time he doesn’t do it, he gets nailed with a fine.
Like Christians who try our hardest to live our days loving people. And we do it well – a lot – but our loving efforts often pass unnoticed. Then, the one time we mess up, others do pay attention. The best way to solve that isn’t to stop loving people until they notice but to be faithful, day in and day out. Cuddle your crying newborn again at night, and again. Be nice to your nasty boss again today, and again tomorrow. Go to church another Sunday, and another.
Unless you attend the Jedi church. Really. There’s a group of about 30 people whose faith is formed by some of the central characters in the Star Wars films. During one of their meetings, a man dressed up as Darth Vader assaulted a few members and was arrested.
Don’t do that. The Bible mentions “gentleness” and “respect” as admirable traits when addressing differences in beliefs. Not light sabers. Don’t be extreme. There’s enough extreme religion in the world these days and even more unfair assumptions that all Christians are extremists. So keep it cool.
Jesus kept it cool to the very end. He faithfully endured the mocking, walked resolutely to his death on the cross, and even prayed for his perpetrators. To save us from the times we’ve acted out on sinfully hot impulses. And to show us that there is a better way.
PRAYER: Dear faithful God, bless me with everyday faith and love. When the cycles of work, home, exercise, and relationships bore me with repetition, remind me that whatever I do is for your glory. Give understanding and guidance to those whose faith finds fulfillment in self-absorbed extremism. Reveal to them and to us all the abiding love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.