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Imaginary Hero (Vol. 4, No. 11)

For almost a year, my car radio was tuned to a local station that claimed to be Abilene’s nicest station – no blue humor, no ugly talk, all good, clean, family fare.  The only blemish on their record was the occasional inattention to detail.  Like when they forgot to update their news spots.  I once was surprised to learn that there was still time to vote in our local elections even after the polls had closed three days earlier.

Recently, this fine station added a “morning team.”  They talk a lot.  Some of their topics border on the supposedly-banned blue humor and there’s definitely some ugly talk. 

I would expect that from a Howard Stern.  But not from Abilene’s nicest station.  So, I go elsewhere.

I have several choices.  National Public Radio fills a need from time to time.  Even though the “ideas expressed on NPR don’t necessarily reflect the views of management and ownership” of the local affiliate, at least their words are respectful and demeanor is civilized.  Country music stations abound in this part of the world and there are moments when I find myself pleasantly entertained by Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

But the quest for a consistent communication companion goes on.  A quest made challenging by the fact that my commute to work in Abilene is, on a heavy traffic day, a little under three minutes.

Continually punching the “seek” button this morning, I came across one of those stations that calls itself by an animal name.  You know, the Bear or the Eagle or the Ruby-Throated Grass Gopher.  Just as I pulled into my parking space, the announcer launched into “This Day in History.”  Liking those bits of trivia, I sat for a while and listened.

Notably, the only item of importance was that today is Homer Simpson’s birthday.  He’s 49.

I find it hard to believe that the birth of a beer-guzzling, self-centered, and overtly deviant cartoon character is the only thing that merits mention today.  Particularly since cartoon characters are imaginary and Homer Simpson wasn’t really born 49 years ago.   In reality, Homer didn’t officially exist until “The Simpsons” debuted in 1989.

But somehow, this imaginary birthday of this imaginary character has taken on overwhelming importance.  Forget the fact that on this day in 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed.  Or that in 1940, Winston Churchill was named prime minister of Great Britain.  Or in 1994, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as president of South Africa.  Or that, this very morning, God went about His ongoing task of creation.

Perhaps our problem is that we view history as something that is completed.  We fail to see our place in it.  And it becomes easy to glorify the inconsequential.  My heroes, both past and present, are not imaginary. 

And my quest for the ultimate radio station continues.  The important question is: “Can I get a radio that has a ‘seek first’ button?”

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matt. 6:33.

Shine On!

copyright 2004 Joe L. Cope