So, what’s on my mind?
I have loved Jeeps since I was a kid. I’m not sure exactly where it came from. Maybe it started when I saw Marty McFly grab onto the back of one and skateboard around town. Who knows? Whatever the reason, I’ve always had a soft spot for Jeeps. And there are a lot of folks out there who are much more passionate about Jeeps and know a whole lot more about them than I do.
But for those of you who weren’t aware, there is a universal understanding in the Jeep world: the Jeep wave. Any time you pass another Jeep on the road, you wave. That’s it. Nothing profound. Nothing complicated. Just a simple wave.
I think Jeep is missing a perfect opportunity for a commercial here. Imagine the scene: Two Jeeps pass each other on a country road. One driver waves. The other waves back. And the commercial reminds us that it doesn’t matter what kind of Jeep you’re driving. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It doesn’t matter what you look like or where you come from. It doesn’t even matter if you know the person driving the other Jeep. You wave.
There is something kind of beautiful about that. For just a moment, two complete strangers recognize something they have in common. There’s a little bit of kindness exchanged between them. A simple gesture says, “Hey, I see you. We’re part of the same club.” And then you keep driving.
It got me thinking about the church. Wouldn’t it be something if Christians were known for that kind of simple kindness? Not necessarily some grand gesture. Not always having the right words. Not even agreeing with one another about everything. Just recognizing the person in front of us and offering a little kindness.
The truth is, we have plenty of things that can divide us. We come from different backgrounds. We have different personalities, experiences, opinions, and perspectives. Sometimes even people sitting in the same church pew can have very different ideas about what the church should look like.
But as Christians, there is something that binds us together that is far more important than all the things that make us different. We belong to Jesus. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) We are one in Christ. And maybe that means we could stand to get a little better at the “wave.” That could be sitting next to someone we don’t normally sit with. Maybe it’s noticing the person who looks like they’re having a difficult day and asking, “How are you doing?” Or being a little more intentional about showing kindness to the people we encounter. None of these things are particularly profound. But sometimes small gestures can remind us of something much bigger.
May God hold you,
Rev Chris Hester
