Commentary:
'Tis the season for symbols of faith
By Michael Carter
As I was traveling to Abingdon the other day, a red pick-up truck passed me with a decal in the rear window that read “West Coast Choppers.” There wasn’t anything really special about it – just that it wasn’t the first time I’ve seen the name, “West Coast Choppers.” Over the last few months I have seen the decal on black T-shirts and in store window and truck windows throughout the area.
After a little research, I found out that “West Coast Choppers” is a private business made popular by Jesse James – a distant relative of the legend with the same name – who has a cable show entitled “Monster Garage.” The latter-day Jesse was born in Long Beach, Calif., in 1969 and began his celebrity by building custom choppers ranging from $60,000 to $150,000.
I didn’t know that we had so many extremely wealthy motorcyclists in southwest Virginia. I bet the decal comes free with the purchase of a $100,000 motorcycle. I wonder if the T-shirt is thrown in free or sold as a separate item. In truth, I bet Jesse hasn’t sold many of his custom pieces of art in southwestern Virginia. People are just wearing the decal, not riding the product.
That got me to thinking. There are probably more T-shirts worn, more decals glued, more statuettes collecting dust and more jewelry worn emblazoned with Christian symbols and slogans than all other themes combined. Yet, all it may really mean is that people are wearing the decal, not owning the product.
I wonder if everyone who owns a cross necklace or Jesus bracelet really has a place in their heart for Jesus. I doubt it. I once heard that we couldn’t become Christians for walking in the church any quicker than we become donkeys by walking in a barn.
There is a big difference between wearing the decal and owning the product. This is the season when advertisers flood the market with all kinds of symbols related to our faith. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas billions of dollars will be spent. All of us will add our own money to the seasonal buying spree. Just be careful that when it’s all over, you end up with more than a decal.
As for me, I would like for people to know more about me by watching my life than by reading my shirt.
The Rev. Carter is pastor at Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church in Abingdon District. This editorial originally appeared in the church’s Oct. 29 newsletter. Reprinted with permission.
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