It’s amazing the slogans, phrases, and bits of information that one can remember. I can remember our home telephone number from the farm. I can remember our CB number. Remember those days back in the 70’s? Our home base was KRF-2145. My CB handle was “Trailblazer.” (There’s a story behind that, which I’ll tell another day.) Mom was “Organ Grinder” because she played organ and piano at our little country church. Such useless information that still has a spot in my memory banks. (I can even still remember the phone number to Nancy’s home in Iowa that I called.)
I also found myself thinking about some old commercial tag lines. One of the oldest I can still easily remember is, “Don’t leave home without it!” How many of you remember that one? Do you remember what the product was being sold with that line? Do you remember the first “big name” actor who made that tag line famous? Yes, the product was a credit card.
Speaking of credit cards, another tag line that really isn’t all that old, 20 years, that is still used to this day is, “What’s in your wallet?” This series of commercials strive to show how good things happen to a person when they have and use this particular credit card. So, the tag line, “What’s in your wallet?” is intended to get you to question what credit card you have and use.
Well, to be honest, I don’t really care what is in your wallet, credit card wise. But the line or phrase that I do care about and that has come to mind more often in recent days, especially in our current days is this, “What’s in your heart?”
Now, there is a bit of a story behind the question, “What’s in your heart?” It is said that years ago John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement, was involved in a heated theological debate with a pastor of another faith tradition. It was obvious that neither individual was going to change their position or beliefs and they were simply wasting time debating. Finally, Wesley paused in the discussion and said, “If Christ is in your heart as he is in mine, give me your hand.” What that means is that if the love of Christ is contained in one’s heart and life, that’s really all that is necessary. Even though there may be different opinions and beliefs, it is still possible to take each other’s hand in friendship, or as co-workers for Christ, and not dwell on the differences but rather share in ministry where they can further the work of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
I believe these are such powerful words, words needed to be heard and lived out in our day. Yes, right now we live in a world that is rather divided. It seems everywhere one looks, there are forces at work seeking to make people chose sides. What if the side we chose was that of the side of living Christ’s love? That does sound rather familiar… “A new command I give you…love one another.” There are always going to be things that divide us. I like peanut butter and chocolate together. Some people don’t. Hmmm, seems like there’s an old commercial about that too! 😊 But especially in the Church, we would do well to remember and live Wesley’s words. “If Christ is in your heart as he is in mine…give me your hand.” That’s all that really matters. Let’s work…and love the world together.
Serving Together,
Pastor Keith