Bus Sign
This evening I was on my way to the in-laws and mistimed my run as it was that time of the day when one of the local farmers takes his cows to the milking parlour.
As I sat on the country road rather unusually a bus was in front of me and I noticed two things. Firstly this was the second time of recent I’ve seen a bus with a large advert on the back which says “Where Are We Going?”. I thought if the bus driver doesn’t know I pity the passengers! Reading on revealed this was some kind of spirtual message as it also reads, “If God did exist what would you ask?” with a link to www.alpha.org.
However, what was spookier still was what was above the advert, in the back of the bus so I immediately got out my mobile phone and too a photo. 
Look at the photo and see for yourself, I honestly couldn’t help but think is this a sign? Is the big man upstairs trying to tell me something? Of course I worked it out that what I was seeing was a skylight and a fluorescent light but it seemed like one coincidence too many that I was staring at a cross.
So this evening I’m off to read more about alpha.org and as for what I would ask God, that’s a no brainer, I always wonder if He does exist, why can’t He appear every now and then to prove his existence? Surely the world would be a purer and less evil place if He did?
Tried to post on this the other day but it didn’t seem to work… will try again.
Basically, what I was saying was that while I imagine the alpha course people deliberately chose that phrase to appear on buses, it’s quite impressive if they have also managed to arrange it, so a floating cross of light also appears in the bus when you try to take a photo.
The question “what would you ask God” is also an interesting one. My normal sort of question – “do you fancy a pint?” may be inappropriate, besides which my mate the vicar drinks in my local, and he’d probably feel a bit uncomfortable with the Boss looking over his shoulder.
Also, “Can’t you do something to make Newcastle United better?” would seem to rather miss the issues of global poverty, famine, war and so on. I guess if I actually met God, the thing to ask would be “okay, what would you like me to do?”. I would imagine anyone who meets a deity would find any doubts they have disappearing and would feel that they want to impress/help.
But then – if there is a God – I’d imagine he wouldn’t show up, because getting people to do good things because they are afraid, rather than because they want to be good people, seems rather to be cheating. Surely the point is he’d want people to believe and do good without coercion?
Jack your last point is something I ponder over and brings me back to my question which is why does God remain a mystery? You wouldn’t expect to successfully rule a country by setting rules/laws and then go into hiding for the remainder of your term and expect everyone to play ball? Why can’t God appear every now and then and say hello, I’m still here watching you and don’t ever doubt my existence? Wouldn’t we all be inspired and be more likely to make the World a better place? I mean imagine if the second coming happened right now, it’d likely bring the Internet down but wouldn’t we have loads of YouTube clips and Flikr photos to prove it? Heck he’d probably get poked to death (not literally of course) on Facebook!
ThePickards » Blog Archive » Tolerance Is Anathema To Dawkins (October 23, 2008, 12:40 am).
[...] chosen adverts. Indeed, in that regard they are very similar to the Alpha Course adverts seen at TaylorMade, asking “if God did exist, what would you ask [...]
Just spent long time writing a reply, after intending to ask just one question- i will hopefully come back later and write a reply, but for now will just have to ask…
would it be ok to use your Alpha bus image? For a spiritual journey theme we have going on in the cathedral in Liverpool?
Thanks Much
Jowd
Jowd, thats no problem at all and thanks for asking!
Great thanks!!!
I guess I’d also like to say that- yep it may be just a light and a skylight…but maybe God’s so good that He’s trying to catch your attention!
And to Jack P
) I think God would like your question-’do you fancy a pint?’ I guess for me going for a pint with my mates is all about getting to know them better. So of what I’d know of God, He’d be made up with an invitation to have a chat and get to know us on a relational, personal level… although I do realise the practicalities of getting God in a pub!!!
Also I like what you said-’Surely the point is he’d want people to believe and do good without coercion?’ I think yeah that kinda is the point… that God doesn’t want us to do good out of fear, but out of seeing who He is-good, loving, forgiving and all more good things, and then when you see someone and get to love and like them you normally want to be like them and do what they do…so that’s where the doing good stuff comes from, it’s motivated by love for God and thinking the kinds of things Jesus did were pretty good things to do too….
So yeah- i totally didn’t intend to go on for that long, but i LOVE talking about this stuff!!s
have a great day- sorry for taking over your blog!
Jowd