August 26

The Bumper Sticker


It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)


I saw the most interesting bumper sticker the other day. I’d never seen it before. It said something like, I’m not having any kids. I married one.

I suppose that could be read a couple of ways, but my initial thought was, That poor fellow! Did he have that coming or what?

Well, I'll probably never figure that one out, but I do know the way things should be. In this great, great chapter on love, the Apostle Paul lays it on the line. “Look people,” he seems to say, “I put away childishness. I’m pursuing love!” Yes, that's it! It’s all about loving others—not self.

That's a challenging thought. Most of us guys relish our hobbies and sports, being outdoors and doing things. We love being active. It’s the way we were wired. Recreation is a big part of what we need, but we get into trouble when we place these things higher on the totem pole than they deserve. When our attitude reflects too much self interest, when we focus on our desires more than the needs of others, we develop problems. And as we fixate on ourselves, our immaturity becomes most obvious.

And, you guessed it ... this is when embarrassing bumper stickers show up!


Lord, help us find the balance. Help us to love, to be willing to give more than we get. Amen.