This afternoon I was transported to a foreign country. We were at a mall near Boston and I inadvertently wandered into a store with a name I had never seen before. Walking down a dark hallway I entered an even darker world filled with tables selling thirty five dollar t-shirts and eighty-five dollar sweat shirts or should I say “hoodies.” None of the sales-help asked if they could assist me. I think they knew it was pointless, most likely from the reaction of others my age who had entered this world of distorted values. I saw faded and torn blue jeans with two hundred dollar price tags. Excuse me, but why not visit the Salvation Army where they are only ten dollars and the money goes for a good cause and not into some …’s (fill in the blank) pocket. Forgive me for that but even Jesus found the thieves in the courtyard offensive. I have now officially passed over the threshold of old-foggism. I am no longer swayed to think this is “cool.”
At first I was tempted to think Jesus must have been equally appalled upon coming to earth. But then I realized He was always here. He was on Mount Sinai. He was in Noah’s ark. He was at Solomon’s dedication of the temple. There has never been a moment when He hasn’t been with us. I doubt if there is any human behavior that surprises Him. He has seen it all. That is why I am so amazed that He still cares for us. He even cares for the proprietors of that store. Maybe I am being overly harsh. Maybe they give their profits to the “Feed the Children” fund. The truth is I don’t know and should hold my tongue.
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 24, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org