Orange Truck

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)


In my neighborhood here in Albuquerque an old faded-orange Ford pickup parked in front of a brick 1960s city ranch house sits decorated with bumper stickers— many intended to convey the sense of humor of someone, presumably the person who has driven this truck in recent years. “I closed Wolski’s” a lower east side tavern in Milwaukee, “No Sniveling” from a different tavern in Aspen, and many more that provoke a chuckle and a smile. For the holidays this truck was strung with lights. It's a delightful sight, that faded orange truck.

A couple of the bumper stickers that catch my attention shift focus to social matters. “Against abortion? Don’t have one.” “The new Right is fundamentally wrong.” Now there’s a couple of bumper stickers you can hang your hat on. As we witness all of the moralizing and posturing that has characterized the political landscape as the GOP lays its groundwork for the 2012 election, we are reminded once again of the role of fear and hate in our lives. The rhetoric—debates, grand standing from the stump, ads funded by the super PACs—gets meaner at each bend in the road.

We seem to find pleasure and strength in gaining advantage while our foot is firmly planted on the necks of those we target—the disenfranchised of one stripe or another, or those who are simply different than us. How bewildering it is to see grown men in their 60s pandering to the meanness that inhabits the hearts of those whose votes they seek. Differences in fiscal ideology aside, that which fills the hearts of many so-called conservative Christians surely leaves the man called Jesus heart sickened. “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” Mark 7:7 (NIV) Here’s a mantra for you—“Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin”. Not found in scripture. How accommodating—this sentiment can be purchased on the Internet as a bumper sticker, decal or t-shirt—how scary.

Not one for calling attention to myself by the logo I might sport on a t-shirt or bumper sticker I might plaster to my automobile, here’s one that always gets my nod. “God Bless the Whole World No Exceptions.” It’s available on amazon.com for $1.25. What a bargain. What a way to set an intention, warm the hearts of others, and even bring a smile to someone’s face. It might even forestall someone who otherwise would choose to key your car for the offensive, hate-filled thinking you choose to wrap your heart and arms around and display on your automobile for all the world to see.

Orange Truck— Albuquerque, New Mexico (January 11, 2012)

R. Harold Hollis