Hmmm bet that got your attention huh?!
I’m sure you’ve all seen the “Jesus fish” that people put on their cars, or the “I LUV Jesus”, “I heart Jesus” bumper stickers, etc.
What comes to mind when you see them?
Do you hold the driver to a higher level of accountability?
Do you have them on your car? If so, are you conscious of how you’re driving? Being conscious of how you’re portraying a Christian driver?
Just a few quick facts from http://christianjourney.com/christian/emblems.html:
Today Christians still use the fish as a symbol of their Christianity and to help spread the message of Jesus Christ. It transcends differences in cultures and denominations. Throughout generations the fish symbol continues to identify the true followers of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus brings the power of life and salvation. In a word, the name of Jesus captures the central message of the Christian faith. Together with the symbol of the fish, this emblem reminds the world that our faith isn’t about religion, but a relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ.
Three times in the last two weeks I’ve been cut off by drivers “proclaiming” their Christianity via their bumpers.
The first one was on the way to my daughter’s school of all places. A guy in an SUV nearly drove into us pulling into the school parking lot and lo and behold a “Jesus Fish” emblem (ICHTHUS Fish Symbol) was on the rear of the SUV.
I used to scream holler and rant at people who drove like idiots, I’m getting much better…not perfect…but much better (but then again I don’t have any emblems, decals, logos, bumper stickers on my car so if I screw up and scream at someone who’s just cut me off at least I’m not openly, publicly tarnishing Jesus’ name (though He’ll know I did anyhow, if I were to).
I didn’t say a word…but my daughter goes with attitude, “well, is that how Jesus would’ve driven? Instead of W.W.J.D. they should have H.D.J.D (How Does Jesus Drive) stickers and bracelets”
I was shocked that she even noticed, much less made a comment.
But, she had valid points! This person who just got done nearly running us into the median was showing the world that they were Christian, yet driving far from Christ like. Their time and their kids were more important than us in their mind, they felt it was ok to go ahead cut the line, dearly hitting my car, all so they could save about 10 seconds yet in the process they left a bad impression of Christians.
Then earlier this week, a woman in a truck pulled out in front of me in a parking lot. She never even slowed down at the stop sign, just ran that stop sign with her flashy silver ICHTHUS Fish emblem in tact proudly displayed on the bumper of her car.
Finally, today coming home from school making a right turn into my apartment complex another SUV came at us from across 2 lanes of traffic, and nearly ran right into us making me slam on my brakes. Meanwhile their entire back end was plastered with “I love Jesus”, “Jesus is the Way”, ICHTHUS Fish decal and a slew of other Christian bumper stickers! Yep, that’s how Jesus would drive…NOT! This driver didn’t even look over, just sped down the entry way, through the gate and on their way. I’m pretty sure they never even once thought about the fact that they’ve got Jesus’ name everywhere and that someone may just think that their driving and nearly plowing into us was not something Jesus would smile upon or bless them for.
Now, it’s normal (least here in South Florida) to be cut off, road rage, etc. and normally it wouldn’t be a thought provoking incident except that these 3 stand out because of their decals and bumper stickers. Like the bold comments state, “Today Christians still use the fish as a symbol of their Christianity and to help spread the message of Jesus Christ” and “Together with the symbol of the fish, this emblem reminds the world that our faith isn’t about religion, but a relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ”, sadly those statements aren’t the impressions people get when they’re cut off by someone with the symbol of the fish on their car.
None of us are perfect, far from it. But, when we’re in the world and doing things that others can ‘judge’ us by, we should be exceptionally watchful of our behavior (which we should be all the time!) and that what we do, how we act/speak, is a good example of how Christ works in our lives and be a living example to those who don’t know Him.
Passage Matthew 5:13-16:
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
So, to those with the fish emblem and Jesus bumper stickers on your cars….are you going to be conscious of your driving and the impression you’re leaving in the world or continue cutting off people and driving recklessly in His Name and Image?