A few days before Christmas an interesting thing took place
that I have been reflecting on since. The 2011 Air Jordan’s were released; a
little more than a week before it closed… the 2011’s were released. Clearly
this was a savvy business move, but what were the moral implications?
People were already out in droves, finishing up their
Christmas shopping, and looking for that perfect gift. They were in the mood to
buy, and then these shoes were released. Fights broke out in several locations
because of the intense desire for the limited number of this exceedingly
expensive footwear. Now I believe that these shoes, designed for athletic
activity, should be considered expensive for the majority of people; but when
these shoes are arguably marketed to those who are already at an economic
disadvantage, the moral question becomes ever more focused. People were
physically injured with the release of these shoes, and it could have been
worse. It is not hard to imagine what emotionally aroused people are capable of
when confronted with obstacles to their desire. A good business move but was it
worth the risk? I think not, but I’m no shoe executive.
This example of the consumerist focus of the Christmas
season is just one of many that could be used to point out that many of us are
not standing in line, waiting for the coming of Christ; instead we often find
ourselves waiting for the release of shoes. Humanity is fallen, and so it is
easy to become distracted, but we are consistently called to something ever
greater.
How many lined up for the release, the birth, of Jesus on
that first Christmas? Very few, in
actually, there were just a group of disadvantaged migrant workers looking for
the promise of something better. That made little difference, however, because
Jesus was not born only for those that initially lined up for him, but for all.
The shoes will be worn out and forgotten, those that were
turned away disappointed will get over it, and the call to salvation will still
be there. Will we go from one line to the next, and to the next, and to the
next? Or will you and I join together for something greater? The call is always
there; unfortunately the distractions will be there as well, but the whisper of
Jesus can always be sought out and responded to.
- First Photo: http://www.flyerjordan.com/images/Air-Jordan-2011/Air-Jordan-2011-Black-White-Blue_1.jpg
- Second Photo: http://www.longislandwins.com/images/editorial/20110710-shoes.JPG
- Third Photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Philmont_Scout_Ranch_boots_around_sign.jp g
- Fourth Photo: http://leineriza.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/Communion.png
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