I recently reviewed Consumer Detox by my friend Mark Powley and mentioned that my life featured in other people’s books. Let me give you an example. Now Mark has insulted me plenty of times but this time he’s done it in print but in such a way that only I’d know I’d been insulted. Sneaky. The Insult can be found on p37 of his book under the heading ‘trophies’. I’ve highlighted relevant words so you’ll be able to understand the nature of the insult.
“I remember my first year as a teacher. I had a brand new class of fresh-faced 11 year-olds. As the year began, they looked up to me with innocent eyes to solve their disputes and soothe the big school worries away. It lasted about a week.
I remember the exact moment their trust in me crumbled. My classroom overlooked the school car park, and one day I caught some of my class in the middle of a discussion. ‘We were just wondering which one is your car, sir’. I could see them gazing reverently at the headteacher’s plush silver executive model and the art teacher’s virile yellow sports car. Surely they’re not going to judge a man by the car he drives, I thought. ‘Mine’s the Mini Metro’.
How wrong I was.
The Mini Metro was not the British car industry’s greatest gift to the world of motoring. And our little old red Metro wasn’t the most impressive specimen of its kind.
The kids looked out at the little red car. Then at me. Then back at the car. And once more at me, only this time I could almost see the plummeting figures in their eyes as they recalculated my worth as a human being.
I think we all learnt something that day.
They learnt that in the great pecking order of life I was one rank up from pond life. I learnt to park my car round the corner.
And I guess I learned that this isn’t just about tribes. All the teachers had cars. But this isn’t just about what we have; it’s about how much and what quality. Having a car is not enough; it must be a car that compares well with others, preferably an attractive, modern car that isn’t covered in rust (I now realise this). In other words, it’s not just about tribes; it’s also about trophies.
We consume not just to connect with a group, but also to establish our place in the group. Trophy consumption marks us who is ‘the best’, who is ‘good enough’ and who needs to make alternative parking arrangements.”
You still may not understand the nature of the insult but maybe you will when you realise that when Mark was finished with his old red Mini Metro he gave it to me. Very cheeky indeed.
![[Bus+Tithing.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lgUciOmfPEg/SYl-mkexqpI/AAAAAAAAAHM/Bxg5SNwIYEg/s1600/Bus%2BTithing.jpg)
HT: Faith Central
“Your breath disgusts your wife; everyone in your family turns away. Young children can’t stand you, and when you come near, they make fun. Your best friends and loved ones have turned from you.”
*Slight editing occurred
I’m sure there are others?
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a husband, a father, church planter, keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
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