Just Down the Road

In The Wild Olive's first stab at guest commentary, we have a story from TC in Tea, South Dakota, just outside of Sioux Falls. As TC's account demonstrates, Biblical principles often appear clear on the page -- but in practice, moral choices on how best to further the Kingdom of Heaven are often difficult to discern. Read the account below and tell me -- what would you do in this situation, and on what basis?

Earlier this summer, an adult store, make that "super" store, was opened just a short mile outside of Tea on the way to Interstate 29. Much protest ensued from the locals over Olivia's, which touted itself as a good, upstanding, reputable business that would be beneficial to the local economy. It's actually a sister store to its Sioux Falls counterpart, Annabelle's.

A lot of people were making uneducated, emotional statements about how the store would ruin the community, hurt their children, and among other things, encourage drunken driving (apparently from the potential customers who would drive to the 24-hour store while 3 sheets to the wind during odd hours of the night). Lincoln county, and the city of Tea, currently have no restrictions or regulations on these types of adult businesses, so legally, everything has been done by the book, and the owner/manager has been fairly accommodating to local suggestions (he voluntarily changed the building color from bright purple to egg shell white, and changed his sign out front to display "Olivia's" in large letters, instead of "Adult").

Now, before you think I'm promoting places of this nature, let me just say that I am not personally in favor of a store like this opening anywhere, anytime. While it is a free country and people can do what they like within the confines of the law, verifiable studies have shown that these SOB's (that's Sexual Oriented Businesses, not Sons of... well, you know the rest) have secondary effects on a community such as increased criminal activity, property devaluation and urban blight. Even if all the evidence pointed the opposite direction (that such a store was actually good for the community), I would still, because of my own personal faith and convictions, not want a store like this open in my, or anyone else's, community.

Olivia’s is one of those “bold” types of businesses. But a few weeks ago, something equally bold appeared in the same vicinity. Olivia's is on the north side of 271st St, and on the south side of the road is a corn field. Directly across from Olivia's, on the south side of the road, just between the corn field and the ditch, popped up what appeared to be a large, 12-foot wooden cross (which is conveniently the very first thing Olivia’s customers see as they exit the store). At first I thought it might have been something to do with the electrical or telephone lines, but after driving by again during my lunch break, it was unquestionably the instrument used by the Romans to crucify Jesus Christ.

A number of thoughts crossed my mind, but here are two that stuck out...1) "What is the point? That cross is only going to add fuel to the fire for store advocates that think Christians are closed-minded, legalistic hypocrites." The other thought on the opposite end of the spectrum was...2) "Now that is encouraging to see someone taking a firm stand against such a deceptive and destructive business."

Unfortunately, thought number 1 may have been confirmed. A couple days after the cross was erected, it lay flat on the ground. Someone had apparently come by and taken it down. Not just pushed it down, no, this was a clean, chain-saw looking cut that left the cross lying in the dirt below with a 2 foot section still stuck in the ground. It lay there for about a week. It was almost depressing to see this symbol of hope and redemption lying there defeated, but at the same time I thought to myself, "Congratulations to whomever put that thing up because now you have someone that much farther from wanting to know Jesus."

Later in the week, as I drove by Olivia's on my way to work, I noticed that a skid loader and 3-4 workers were out messing around with the fallen cross and a second, deeper hole had been dug in between the power lines. I thought they must be getting ready to lay some wire, or do some other type of public utility work. But, when I came back for lunch, there stood the old rugged cross. Only this time it was a couple feet shorter with reinforced steel at the base and metal strips covering the center beam and cross-beam. No chain saw was going to bring this bad boy down! So, for now, there it stands, unless someone comes up with another clever way to bring it down, vandalize it, or who knows what else.

I don't know exactly what the person's original intentions were for putting up the cross or who it was directed towards (the owner, the customers, the drivers who pass by, etc.), but I do know this...

When I drive by the two symbols I thank God that I live in a country of free enterprise, and free speech. I thank God that I have another (better) option to look at besides the glaring adult superstore. I'm thankful as I drive through the middle of two very bold signs; one reminds me how fallen I am, along with the rest of mankind, and the other reminds me of how gracious God is, allowing me to be a member & participant in His eternal kingdom.

So, if you are a fellow disciple of Jesus, what are we to do with something like this? I think we ought to start by praying. Pray for the owner, workers and customers of the store, that they would encounter the one, true living God and be changed forever. Pray for those who put up the cross, the churches & Christians of this community, that they would be effective (not deflective) witnesses for the Prince of Peace. And lastly, pray for my safety as I drive by the two landmarks, deep in thought contemplating the meaning of it all, that I would pay attention to the road in front of me and the cars around me. I'm 10+ years removed from my last fender bender and I certainly don't need a new one on my record!

TC
A Local Update: This last weekend a neighbor reported there was a man with his wife and children standing together by the cross, facing Olivia’s in silence as the husband/father held a Bible outwards and upwards towards the store. Repelling the darkness, or repelling those who need the light? You decide and let me know.