The prophet Samuel was once told by the Lord, "I don't see things the way you do" (I Sam. 16:7). We are not told as to how Samuel may have felt - at least momentarily - in being classified with the spiritually discerning. Anyway...
We occasionally see an elderly man around town whose small white pickup truck is totally covered with magnetic signs representing an admixture of Scripture verses and admonitions to repent, turn to Christ, avoid hell, etc. As to who the gentleman is or what his church affiliation may be, I have no idea.
Instinctive impulse is to find it all somewhat distasteful and, in all honesty, likely ineffective if not counterproductive. On more than one occasion, I have so observed to my wife. Yet, upon seeing the gentleman today, other times and experiences came to mind.
While pastoring in a small Wisconsin community many years ago, my wife and I were shopping one day at the local grocery. Observing a lady with garishly dyed hair who simply dripped gaudy makeup and cheap jewelry, I whispered to my wife, "Do you want to see a mess?" Both sense of condemnation and question were immediate: "Who do you think you are?" By way of contrast, Jesus would have undoubtedly seen a hurting soul, desperate for recognition and acceptance, yet not knowing how or where to find it.
Or, again, in another state where we later served, question came to mind as to the merit of an area priest's having created a grotto of the Stations of the Cross from beautiful stones, agates and quartz collected and assembled over a period of forty-six years - not for recognition or gain, but rather as an act of devotion to Christ. Did it really count?
One of the best answers I know may be seen in a young child's presentation of a drawing made "for mother" with a sense of doing something just for her. Does the picture really possess artistic merit? What is the standard of measure? As an expression of love, it nonetheless finds meaning and acceptance in the mother's eyes. And, suffice it to say, that is enough.
Are we not sometimes prone to forget Jesus' acceptance of Mary of Bethany's having anointed his feet with precious ointment as an act of personal devotion? Or, like some of the Twelve, are we ever critical of other's endeavors that do not necessarily promote our particular sense of cause or enhance the morning offering's intake?
Did Christ accept the priest's commitment to building a Christ honoring exhibit? I would later hear him address visiting guests concerning Christ's love and sacrifice on the Cross. Of course it was accepted.
Does the Lord accept the elderly gentleman's effort to witness to Christ by means of placing Scriptures and slogans all over his pickup truck? Perhaps he could do so more effectively by other means. But at least he is trying. Does Christ accept it? Of course. Perhaps I have needed to again hear the Lord's prompting: "Who do you think you are?
With regard to giving, the apostle once noted, "If there be first a willing heart, it is accepted..." (II Cor. 8:12). It all begins with the heart.
Burl Ratzsch
P.S. And, by the way, should you ever find yourself in the vicinity of West Bend, Iowa, you might find a visit to "The Grotto of the Redemption" interesting.
