Back in the seventies when money and jobs were both tight, someone came up
with the idea of marketing items in plain white packages with black lettering
identifying the contents. No brand name, no picture to tell what it was, just
“corn,” “green beans,” “tissue,” or “dog food.” Generics they were called, and
they became a brand of their own, priced less, often with lesser quality than a
real name brand, and much less expensive. Soon they were found on everyone’s
table, at least once, some were pretty bad, but the idea stuck, a brilliant
marketing move, and I’m sure lots of money was made from it. We all liked the
lesser price, but after the lesser quality, we soon turned back to our old
favorites. Perhaps the prime example of the marketing creating the product, but
the product not being able to keep up with the marketing.
Cruising down the 15 the other day, a cursory glance showed very few cars
of color, unless you consider white, black, and varying shades of gray color.
But also it seems the world had gone to SUV’s, even Ford quit making cars
except for the Mustang, and they all have the same generic shape. To me they
all look like the cartoon cars when I was growing up, generic four door sedans,
same profile, same rear end, only a few changes to the front end distinguishing
them. And it occurred to me that the world has gone to generic cars, only they
don’t know it. It is hard to tell any Japanese cars apart, Chevies and Jimmies
are basically the same, Rams have that big front end, and Fords look like
Chevies. Nothing to distinguish the brands any more, a sad thing to consider
when we used to buy cars based on looks. When we used to look back when we
parked them with admiration, how many look back except to see the lights
flashing confirming they locked it? So we can add generics to cars, trucks,
SUV’s, and in some ways motorcycles. With maybe the only thing distinguishing
the brands apart is advertising. Remember when you could tell a Honda from a
Kawasaki by sound, one look at the engine and you could tell the brand. Now
even the motors are hidden behind panels, with Metric bikes looking like
Harleys, Indians wanting to look like dirt trackers, and performance second
nature. They too are becoming generic looking, doubt me, cruise any multiline
dealer and check it out, then you decide. Does the brand Hondasakisuziyama mean
anything to you? You may be riding one and not know it....
It seems everyone wants to be part of a crowd, from Facebook to religion,
we all want to fit in. Chat rooms provide common issues, forums keep the same
like minded members on the same page, and sadly, religion has brought us a
generic God. At one time the denominations each had taken a Biblical stand for
their beliefs, now they too are mainstream, not wanting to offend anyone, lest
they leave and go elsewhere. My father in law once told me he liked being a
Catholic because e didn’t have to participate, and the services were the same
everywhere. Like when they mispronounced his wife’s name at her funeral...again
a generic funeral. Just fill in the blanks, if you can. But if you want to
stand out and become a target, take a stand. While churches today are hot on
social issues, they remain soft on the one thing they were set up by God to do,
to stand out from the world and take the gospel to it. Where Jesus was once the
man thing, now he is neatly avoided, sin is never mentioned and salvation is via
church membership, some even claiming they have no members, at least on paper.
Until get an email for money or to attend. Like the cars we used to look back
at, how many look back after a service and say “wow, I was really moved by the
Lord today.” Instead rushing to eat, with informal good byes. Even generic
sermons based on holidays, seasons, tithing when money is lacking, and
skillfully avoiding the gospel. Mention Jesus to be trendy, and today many
trendy churches exist, but call him the Christ, Lord, or Savior, you may get
some raised eyebrows. Where is Jesus, where did he go?
Fact is he never left, we moved. He never changes like styles and social
issues do. Some of the things he wouldn’t do are found as bragging points for
some churches, he wouldn’t be found harassing homosexuals, berating women going
into abortion clinics, he wouldn’t shoot anyone, burn a cross or hate his
enemies, he wouldn’t run for political office, attack the poor or side with the
rich, and you would never find him endorsing his name on any merchandise. When
the popular “what would Jesus do?” bracelet came out, how many considered what
he wouldn’t do? And if you are a true Christian, do you need to ask?
Long before he was a hit on Broadway, he was a superstar, a super man
before the comic came out, and a rebel with a cause long before James Dean.
Cool before McQueen, in before Flynn, and a popular name before taken in vain.
He was and is the only true son of God, not a generic body on a cross around
your neck. He isn’t an hour long service to endure, not a genie in a lamp to
ask things from, and not your enemy. Yet he is portrayed as these things
today. Only he can take the generic life religion offers and fails at and give
you life. If your Bible cover, bumper sticker or t-shirt are the only way you
know and represent him, you have gone with a marketing system not the true
gospel. And beware, for even the devil himself can appear as an angel of
light....
So next time you cannot find your SUV in the lot without hitting the panic
button, when you cannot tell the difference between brands of soda, when you
shop for your next motorcycle based on price, you may be going generic. Even my
Harley friend Mark will tell you, there are only two colors, and both are
black. Again generic Harley colors. Only in Jesus Christ can you ever be all
you can be, a long time before the Army promised it. Living a boring, mundane,
generic life? Maybe it is the god you serve, for in Christ you find life, and
life abundant, worth the living. Nothing generic about Jesus, you can copy him
and come close, or think you do, but for free you can have the real thing. If
your god comes in a generic form, turn to him and flee religion. Remember it
was the generic Pharisees who were trying to catch and persecute him, he reached
out to everyone individually, in love. Only he can forgive, only he can give
life. Only in him will you find true peace. Nothing generic about Jesus, can
you say the same thing about your God?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com