Have you discovered "online shopping" yet? I am amazed at the ways in which I am enticed to "buy, buy, and buy some more!" Not long ago, one of the marketing ploys was to give away free stuff - and the more you bought, the more free stuff you could have! I began to think that maybe there was a genetic glitch in my makeup because I found myself with lots more in my "cart" than I could ever imagine.
That's how I came to have a free magnetic sign for my car door. It said, in big bold letters, "All Saints Anglican Church," and it was free! Well, sort of free. What I didn't count on was to consider the price I would have to pay. For when I attached the sign to my car and began to drive, I became aware of my behaviour behind the wheel.
"Road rage" while sporting a "church" sign isn't a good way to proclaim the glory of God working in our lives! It's a sobering reminder that in all things, we are to proclaim the love of God, to promote justice and peace for all God's people.
Our work is quite clear. Jesus tells the young man to go and take care of his neighbour, and then clearly states that our neighbour isn't just the person who looks and sounds "like us." Perhaps it's time for the church to check our marketing strategy - and live out the love that we proclaim, both behind the wheel and walking on the path.
