God on a Billboard

In 1998, an anonymous donor launched an advertising campaign on billboards across America. The idea behind the campaign was simple: write a few simple words with a meant to capture the eye of a driver (presumably while not distracting them and causing them to drive into a ditch) with a spiritual theme in white letters on a black background as if it were a letter sent from God. The "GodSpeaks" movement was launched and grew from 1 billboard to over 10,000 billboards in over 200 cities.

The campaign has featured such pity prose as:

"You think it's hot here?"
"We need to talk..."
"C'mon over to my house Sunday before the game."

Now there is a new billboard war being waged between certain Christians and certain atheists, who seem hell-bent on outspending their counterparts with the "message of God" or the message "there is no God."

Surely both sides of the discussion have an equally valid right to spend their hard-earned dollars debating the existence or non-existence of God. But I have a deeper question: Does God really need a billboard?  I think not. In fact, I think He has a much better advertising plan. Consider His three-fold marketing plan:

1. The World-- I know I am sticking my neck out there, but I truly believe that God created the world and that it advertises His majesty. Consider the wonder of the vast universes. Consider the intricacy of the DNA Double Helix. Consider the creatures that lurk at the bottom of the sea. Consider the birds that effortlessly soar above. I believe there is not only a design, but a Designer. The Bible says it this way. "The heavens declare the Glory of God." I believe the world declares the wonder of God better than any billboard could ever do!

2. The Word-- By "The Word" I mean the written Bible. I believe this sacred book is more poignant and powerful than any simple quotation could ever be. I have lived my life by the principles of this text and have never found them to be wanting. More than a story, more than a legend, I have found The Word to be "a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." If I were to summarize the entire Bible into just one phrase it would be this: "God loves you!" Now I know that WOULD fit on a billboard, but a billboard could never express the depth of the story of love and redemption that unfolds before the reading on the pages of the blessed text.

3. The Witnesses-- By "The Witnesses" I mean the Christians that are living in the world today. Now, let's be honest; this part of the advertising plan has not always lived up to the lofty standards that God has established. In fact, many who have called themselves "Christians" have done enormous harm to the cause. I know what you are thinking, so let me place some ammunition in your gun and aim it at my chest. Crusaders? Some. Slave owners? Some. Bigots? Some. Murderers? Some. Sexists? Some. Homophobes? Some. Unthinking, uneducated, uncaring, uncompassionate, and uninvolved? Some. It is sad! It is horrible! It is true, not all who have called themselves followers of God have lived up to His standards! But before you throw the baby out with the bathwater, please consider this: God should not be judged against the character of His followers; His followers should be judged against the character of their God. When you find a true follower of God, you will find a person whose life will shout more brilliantly than any billboard an advertisement for Who God is, and What God does.

I am sure the billboard wars will go on. That's the American way. But next time you see a billboard about God, stop and ask yourself: "Is there another sign that I haven't consider?" And, oh, by the way, Drive Carefully!