Deep Calls to Deep
by David Mercer
I claim total innocence concerning the time I walked into an "adult" bookstore. I thought it was one of those used paperback establishments where you trade two-for-one, or purchase one for half price. I was thinking about mystery novels and such.
Honest.
Behind the counter, a truly unbecoming woman asked, "Wadda ya want!" I gave her a winsome smile and shared how I loved bookstores and that I just wanted to browse for a moment or two. I can't say my pleasant demeanor sweetened her temperament. However, she did look more confused, which also did not soften her countenance.
I toured most of the store before it dawned on me that the whole establishment was dedicated to prurient interests.
There I was, a local preacher, standing in the middle of Gomorrah, wondering how in the name of all that was right and pure I would explain myself if I were seen. I had to get out of there, but how? I considered cracking the door open for a cautious peek before I slunk out. Then I thought, no, I'll stride out confidently, refusing to look guilty. And that's what I did.
I moved so expeditiously that I neglected to bid farewell to the maiden behind the counter.
How does one act in a situation like that? To quote a tired but serviceable question: What would Jesus have done?
Would he have turned red with embarrassment? I doubt it. He created all the people in those pictures—I'm sure he already knew what they looked like in their birthday suits.
In fact, I can't think of a time when Jesus got embarrassed, although his family and friends sometimes were embarrassed for him. He often hung out with the rough crowd—actually liked them better than the "respectable" folk. Consequently, he was the subject of many gossipy conversations about the latest scandal.
Maybe the talk bothered him, but it didn't stop him from his mission. Because he refused to be squeamish, he brought change and hope to the "riffraff."
Who knows? Maybe he could have softened the heart of that old woman in the dirty bookstore. It definitely would have qualified as a miracle, but he could have done it.
In fact, he still could.
XXX
Would Jesus Walk into to a
Dirty Bookstore?
Copyright © 2008 by David Mercer