I live in the state of Michigan, and when people think of Michigan they think of Detroit. But “Up North” Michigan starts about three hours north of Detroit, and it is a world of lush trees, clean lakes and air, blue sky during the day, and dark sky at night. A haven, a getaway.
And seemingly everywhere you look are signs for “Walt’s Crawlers.” Worms, that is. Because nowhere in Michigan is more than 6 miles from a lake and in Up North Michigan that’s down to about 2 miles between lakes. That’s a lot of fish, and a lot of fishing – and Up North needs a lot of worms.
A special truck brings those worms to just about every gas station and convenience store in the North Country. It’s a truck from “Big Worm Trucking.” Now, think about it. Isn’t that the kind of thing you’d actually wear on a t-shirt? “Big Worm Trucking”? It’s kinda cool. And you wouldn’t be embarrassed, would you? No, you’d be more “em-bad-assed.” People Up North can get evangelical about fishing.
And evangelical believers are never embarrassed. Think about this – traditional religion has blanketed the world with “8-28 Everything”** and little fish stickers on cars. But even Jesus had to talk to Helen about embarrassment. He said if we are ashamed of him (or embarrassed by love) “… you will project and therefore make it impossible for me to reach you.” (CE.Tx.1.22.6:3)
What does that kind of embarrassment look like? Well, I’m thinking we’d probably sooner wear a “Big Worm Trucking” t-shirt than one that says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (NKJV.Pp.4:13) Think about it.