Mixed Messages
If you are not familiar with some of the rivalries that exist in college football, maybe the following story I read a number of years ago about one of those rivalries may help. As the story goes, the legendary coach of Ohio State, Woody Hayes, and some of his assistants were on a recruiting trip in Michigan. While they were nearing the state line as they were returning to Ohio, one of the assistants noticed that they were very low on gasoline. Coach Hayes’s solution to that dilemma was that they would coast as much as they could and push the car if necessary in order to get it across the state line into Ohio. He let it be known in no uncertain terms that he did not want to spend any money in Michigan.
That story came to mind recently when I saw a vehicle with a Michigan license plate and an Ohio State decal on the back window. To a real football fan of either state, that would be almost equivalent to a soldier during The Civil War wearing a gray coat and blue pants (or vice-versa).
While I thought that the combination of a Michigan license plate and an Ohio State decal was interesting, it also made me do some thinking. I’m thinking that some of us might be guilty of sending mixed messages. The “disconnect” may not be intentional, but it may have some very serious consequences.
I’ve thought about providing some specific examples of what I have in mind, but I’ve decided not to do that. It seems to me that all of the examples I could provide as well as all of the ones that you might think of could be summed up in an inspired assessment of the earthly ministry of the Lord. As Luke begins the book of Acts, he reflects on the gospel bearing his name. He writes that the subject matter of The Gospel According to Luke was
…about all that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1).
It is interesting to notice and consider the fact that Jesus did not merely do. He also taught. Neither did He merely teach. He also did.
It is also of interest to observe that doing is mentioned before teaching. The most effective leader of all time led by example.
As we study the ministry of Jesus, there is at least one other observation that may be made as it relates to Acts 1:1 and the concept of mixed messages.
The Lord taught what He did and did what He taught. There was no disconnect between His words and His actions. He did not send mixed messages.
When I look into the mirror, I am looking at a person who wears the name “Christian.” I’m wondering how well I wear that name. My “license plate” says that my “…citizenship is in heaven…” (Phil. 3:20), but I’m wondering if I’m advertising that my loyalty is elsewhere.
Football rivalries are important to a lot of people. Games are won and lost. Whatever the outcome of a particular rivalry game happens to be, as the saying goes, “There’s always next year.”
The transient nature of those victories and losses could possibly be demonstrated by the fact that some who are reading this may have had no idea who Woody Hayes was when they read his name. A man who was once “larger than life” is now no longer that.
Sadly, those of us who do remember coach Hayes may remember him best for an incident that cost him his coaching position and much of his reputation. That incident demonstrated that a man who was known for having total control of a group of coaches, players, staff, etc. did not have control over himself. The man who desired to dominate his opponents let his anger dominate him.
Some mixed messages are more significant than others. One just caught the eye of a guy getting in a walk and prompted a blog post. One cost a once powerful and influential man his job and reputation.
A life characterized by sending mixed messages concerning our relationship with God will result in us being separated from Him eternally.
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
