Out Our Way: Bunkhouse believers - Isaiah 58:1-12

Out our way, every cowboy hat starts in the same manner. Fresh off the shelf, it is chosen for color, fit and style. Yet as I am often reminded over the years, the hat begins to tell a story about the wearer. It becomes his or her signature - a biography of the life of its owner. Some hats never change much from when they were purchased, for the hat is only for show - for style. Most of the time it just sits in the closet and only comes out occasionally.

Ah, but the cowboy's hat - the one that is worn daily and bears the signs of time, wind and weather - becomes a unique statement. Despite only being an amateur cowhand who only worked cows with Charlie a few times a year, my hat no longer looks like it did when it was new off the shelf. You can see where the sweat soaked through, the rain and snow left their marks, as well as the sun, heat and cold. Now and then folks remark about the unique look of my hat and ask how they could get one like it. I tell them to go buy one at the ranch store and then go work cattle for a few years in every type of weather. In time, your hard work and unique experiences will be recorded in the hat for all to see. 

Now I have chosen the Isaiah passage for today's column because it reminds me that the believer's life is also shaped and molded by experience and labor in God's service. Many say they "ride for the brand," but their lives - like the unused cowboy hat - show no signs of it. The Isaiah passage speaks out against those who simply "wear the hat," claiming to work for the Boss, but never actually get out of the "bunkhouse." 

The other day I was listening to a number of radio preachers and noted all of them spoke about the need to believe in Christ and accept the claim Jesus is Lord. They invite their listeners to come into the bunkhouse - usually their church. Well and good - that is where we all start.  

But I also noted none of them actually talked about serving the Lord. "Bunkhouse" theology - talking about God and openly declaring your loyalty to the Boss - is not enough. You have to actually go out from the bunkhouse and ride for the brand, and that means getting out there in all kinds of weather and actually serving God.

Look at how Isaiah records God's dismissal of "bunkhouse" believers who talked the talk, but never walked the walk. Yes, they all declared their loyalty and love of God, but then they stayed in the bunkhouse and never actually did anything. The call of discipleship is the call to transform the world. God has called us to Himself, not so the bunkhouse can be bigger and better, but in order to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).

"Is this not the fast I have chosen - to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke; to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6)

God goes on about helping the hungry, the poor, the hurting who abound in the world. In the bunkhouse, we will find support, encouragement and strengthening, but to what end? To simply stay in the bunkhouse and proudly boast of our membership? Or to go out and ride for the brand and transform the world?

It is, I confess, frustrating to challenge the darkness, for it is so great and our light is so small. What difference can we make? Well, remember that story of the little kid tossing stranded starfish into the sea. When it was pointed out that there were far too many starfish to save them all so his efforts didn't matter, he kept on tossing starfish into the sea and said, "It mattered to that one." 

"Come to the bunkhouse" says the radio preacher. Yes, pay heed to the call, for this is where the work begins. But don't stay there for, as Isaiah reminds us, believers who never get out of the bunkhouse never actually serve the Lord.

Isaiah describes the "bunkhouse believers" crying out to God, "Why have we fasted and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves and You have not noticed?" (Isaiah 58:3) And to paraphrase God's answer: "Because you never left the bunkhouse. Because you were content to stay there instead of doing the work to which I have called you."

We all start at the bunkhouse, but those who actually ride for the brand don't stay there. Instead they get the strength, encouragement and direction to go out and do God's work. Like the kid tossing stranded starfish back into the sea, it may seem our efforts are so small compared to the need, but for the starfish that we toss back in the sea, "it matters." And the Boss notices. (Check out Matthew 25:40.)

Be blessed and be a blessing.

John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].