Aging, DMV's and the bull horn
Last week at home church we watched and discussed the nooma video, bull horn. It is a short film about a guy, completely disconnected from reality, no friends but big agenda...standing on a crowded street corner and shouting his evangelistic comments into a bull horn for all to hear (though none were listening).
Yesterday was my birthday...I know happy birthday. How old am I? 35. My Nevada drivers license expired on my birthday, so it was finally time to go to the DMV and get my California license (something I was supposed to do within 10 days of moving into the state). This would be the perfect time to avoid the procrastination speech you may be inclined to give.
So there I was, standing outside the DMV at 7am (1 hour before they opened and already #30 something in line) on my birthday. I was studying for the written exam I was about to take, again feel free to avoid any discussion of procrastination, when guess who showed up. You got it, bull horn man.
It was actually bull horn two men and one lady. They were younger, hipper and obviously had friends, but they were still bull horn people. There are few things I like about bull horn people, but hi jacking the DMV line, a captive (or stuck) but disinterested audience that included me and on my birthday. One of the best gifts I received that day was actually going inside the DMV where I could no longer hear them yelling at me about going to hell if I didn't accept Jesus. The hardest part of the day was when, in close earshot of bull horn, the DMV lady asked my profession. I desperately wanted to say ear plug manufacturer.
It's weird, the older I get the more patient I have become with the DMV and less patient with Mr and Mrs bullhorn. Just because I'm getting older doesn't mean you have to yell.
embracing life
Another perspective on life, worldviews, and God - and how they all fit together in everyday experience. Simple stuff.
2 Comments
11:33 AM
Yuck! I didn't know that's how you spent your birthday morning! Talk about being stuck - that's just lame. At least take your bullhorn to a place where people can escape if they have to.
3:44 PM
Hey steve! I am catching up on your blogs....
did they actually have a bull horn? or just signs and tracts?
One thing I noticed on the nooma video was how the guy would not talk to the people he interacted with on the elevator, or anywhere en-route to his street corner. to me those are the best times to see, smile at, help... maybe even talk to other people!
I wonder if the reason for some people that the big signs, and loud impersonal voices used to "preach the gospel" is just because they are afraid of really getting to know someone... i wonder if that fear comes from really being known by someone.
If I believe I am supposed to tell everone about how they are condemned, unless they accept Jesus as their Lord and savior, without explaining any of that... then I also know that some (if not 99%) of people will disagree with me, and want to argue with me.... I am not going to want to get to know them, or let them get to know me. its easier to be made fun of behind my back than to be rejected.
What do I do as an ear plug manufacturer? I dont know.. the only way I have ever even been able to speak with someone like that... is to pretend i know nothing... to sincerely "turn" asking questions so i dont "burn"... asking them to explain what I am doing wrong, and wondering what they can show me so I dont burn.
It truely seems like bullhorn man would rather shout the gospel-- "Your going to hell!!!" hey terrific! dosent gospel mean good news?... than converse, than talk with people.
maybe we ought to just give em a gold star on their "How to be the best Christian" checklist, and move on..
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