Bumper Sticker Theology...

Surely someone has already written the article or the book about the theology of bumper stickers.  But I remember one I saw many years ago.  Stopped at a traffic light, this is what I read on the bumper sticker on the car in front of me:  Watch out for the idiot behind me.

Immediately, I looked in the rear view mirror to see about whom the bumper sticker was referring.  Then I realized that I was the one being referred to in the message.  Watch out for the idiot behind me.

Well…sometimes I do things that may be judged as idiotic.  Like trying to make something out of silly bumper stickers.  And sometimes I say things which may sound like idiocy.  When I was a pastor and worship leader, I remember saying something like, “Let us pray together this morning.”  If “us” pray, then we will be praying together. And if we pray then, we will be praying that morning.  What a waste of words! 

So, I’ve said and done some foolish things, but I’m not an idiot.  The bumper sticker was wrong.  But it may have something to say anyway.

What if the bumper sticker said, Watch out for the person behind me?  Now that might make some good sense.  In what ways am I watching out for myself?  Are you watching out for yourself?  Watch out for yourself. Now, that’s some good advice.

Taking care of ourselves.  We all need to strike a balance between taking care of others and taking care of ourselves.  Sometimes it is more blessed to receive than to give.  What do you need to receive?  Maybe a word of affirmation that you’re basically a good person.  Well, you are!  And so am I.

Maybe you need to receive self-given permission to take a break from whatever it is you need a break from.  Relax.  Do nothing for a few hours.  Don’t just do something; sit there.

Or maybe what you need to hear from yourself or what I need to hear from myself is something motivating.  Don’t just sit there; do something.  Get up and get moving.  Take a walk.  Get your heart rate up.  Take care of yourself or someone else.

Watch out for the idiot behind me.  Got my attention.