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Abstract

h. It can be found around the globe but is most prevalent in the United States; for those unfamiliar with it, the “Jesus fish” is a symbol that many Christians like to put on their vehicles, usually on the trunk, back bumper, or tailgate. As Wikipedia explains it, “it comes from the fish symbol formed by two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extended beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.” Early Christians used this symbol as a secret way to identify each other, because the letters in the Greek word for fish (“ichthus”) form an acrostic for the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”In my part of the country, the Jesus fish is as popular as wearing a cross necklace or getting a tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe; in theory, there should be nothing wrong with placing this symbol on your car or SUV to let people know that you’re someone who believes in Jesus. However, the theory falls apart once 99% of us get behind the wheel because (Christian or not), most of us are horrible drivers. When you combine rush hour traffic, a lack of driving skills, chronic texting while driving, and even full-blown road rage with a known symbol of the Christian faith, we become the polar opposite of the salt and light Jesus called us to be.Some of you may be wondering at this point what the big deal is. After all, most of the drivers you cut off, scream at, or make inappropriate hand gestures toward will never meet you in person.And that’s the problem.They’ll never know that outside of your car or truck you are a caring, committed follower of Jesus who would give them the shirt off your back. They’ll only know that you are the idiot who ran them into a ditch w

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hile putting on mascara with one hand and eating a cheeseburger with the other and that you have a Jesus fish on your car. More than a few of them will understandably think if that’s how Christians act, drive, represent, etc., then they don’t want anything to do with them, their Savior, or that stupid fish.This may seem like a ridiculous overreaction and a completely unfair generalization, but most people don’t need much of a reason to avoid us as it is. The last thing we need to do is give people one more excuse to avoid Jesus, and all Christians, by combining an ancient symbol of Christ with a modern inability to drive like a sane person.I once asked a pastor why he didn’t have a fish on his truck; he was a pastor, after all. His response was telling: “Until I learn how to not drive like a lunatic, I’m not putting one of those near my truck. It’s bad publicity for Jesus.”So, to all of you out there with a Jesus fish on your vehicle, I say this: go right now and pry it off; don’t even finish reading first. Then repent of your horrific driving, ask for forgiveness, and invite your neighbor out for coffee so you can share with them what Jesus is doing in your life, and what he can do in theirs.You better let them drive.If you enjoyed this story, you can support my writing directly by leaving a tip below (you tip waiters and bartenders, so why not writers?).If you’re not a Medium member, you can join <a href="https://medium.com/membership/@paulcombs">here</a>. You’ll get access to all of my articles (including my weekly rants and numerous Springsteen stories) as well as those of all the other great writers here.</article></body>

The Downside of Your Jesus Fish

A driving rant

I haven’t written any religion-themed stories in a while, mainly because most of the time people just don’t read them. I understand why; just like with politics over the past decade or so, any discussion about religion tends to descend into a screaming match fairly quickly, and we’ve got enough of that nonsense in every other area of life. But after another brutal drive through traffic a few days ago, I have to rant about something so I can move on to writing about Springsteen again.

That harrowing drive home reminded me of a Seinfeld episode that longtime fans will surely remember. Consider the following exchange between Elaine Benes and her boyfriend David Puddy:

Elaine: David, I’m going to hell! The worst place in the world! With devils and those caves and the ragged clothing! And the heat! My god, the heat! I mean, what do you think about all that?

Puddy: Gonna be rough.

Elaine: Uh, you should be trying to save me!

Puddy: Don’t boss me! This is why you’re going to hell.

Elaine: I am not going to hell and if you think I’m going to hell, you should care that I’m going to hell even though I am not.

Puddy: You stole my Jesus fish, didn’t you?

Elaine: Yeah, that’s right!

Ah, the ubiquitous Jesus fish. It can be found around the globe but is most prevalent in the United States; for those unfamiliar with it, the “Jesus fish” is a symbol that many Christians like to put on their vehicles, usually on the trunk, back bumper, or tailgate. As Wikipedia explains it, “it comes from the fish symbol formed by two intersecting arcs, the ends of the right side extended beyond the meeting point so as to resemble the profile of a fish.” Early Christians used this symbol as a secret way to identify each other, because the letters in the Greek word for fish (“ichthus”) form an acrostic for the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.”

In my part of the country, the Jesus fish is as popular as wearing a cross necklace or getting a tattoo of Our Lady of Guadalupe; in theory, there should be nothing wrong with placing this symbol on your car or SUV to let people know that you’re someone who believes in Jesus. However, the theory falls apart once 99% of us get behind the wheel because (Christian or not), most of us are horrible drivers. When you combine rush hour traffic, a lack of driving skills, chronic texting while driving, and even full-blown road rage with a known symbol of the Christian faith, we become the polar opposite of the salt and light Jesus called us to be.

Some of you may be wondering at this point what the big deal is. After all, most of the drivers you cut off, scream at, or make inappropriate hand gestures toward will never meet you in person.

And that’s the problem.

They’ll never know that outside of your car or truck you are a caring, committed follower of Jesus who would give them the shirt off your back. They’ll only know that you are the idiot who ran them into a ditch while putting on mascara with one hand and eating a cheeseburger with the other and that you have a Jesus fish on your car. More than a few of them will understandably think if that’s how Christians act, drive, represent, etc., then they don’t want anything to do with them, their Savior, or that stupid fish.

This may seem like a ridiculous overreaction and a completely unfair generalization, but most people don’t need much of a reason to avoid us as it is. The last thing we need to do is give people one more excuse to avoid Jesus, and all Christians, by combining an ancient symbol of Christ with a modern inability to drive like a sane person.

I once asked a pastor why he didn’t have a fish on his truck; he was a pastor, after all. His response was telling: “Until I learn how to not drive like a lunatic, I’m not putting one of those near my truck. It’s bad publicity for Jesus.”

So, to all of you out there with a Jesus fish on your vehicle, I say this: go right now and pry it off; don’t even finish reading first. Then repent of your horrific driving, ask for forgiveness, and invite your neighbor out for coffee so you can share with them what Jesus is doing in your life, and what he can do in theirs.

You better let them drive.

If you enjoyed this story, you can support my writing directly by leaving a tip below (you tip waiters and bartenders, so why not writers?).

If you’re not a Medium member, you can join here. You’ll get access to all of my articles (including my weekly rants and numerous Springsteen stories) as well as those of all the other great writers here.