Jonathan Payton has a message to share. At least I think he does, but I have no idea what that message might be. All I know is that most people don’t purposely draw attention to themselves when they’re about to break the law—unless they are making a significant statement. This is the kind of approach an organization like Green Peace has used to bring attention to important animal rights issues, for example. They sometimes break the law to get media attention.
Now, I have no idea what Jonathan’s message is, but maybe if I tell you what he did, you can help me figure it out. OK, so what exactly did Jonathan do? Well, first of all, he dressed up in a cow suite. This, in itself, is a statement of sorts, don’t you think? I mean you don’t just wake up in the morning and think—“Today definitely feels like a cow-suit day!” There had to be a reason for his choice of vestments—particularly when you find out what he did next.
Jonathan then proceeded to enter a Wal-Mart, load up a cart with 26 gallons of milk and then he ran out of the store without paying. As he sought greener pastures, he gave the milk away to passers-by. Galloping from the scene, he went right past a local McDonald’s (thankfully McDonald’s doesn’t seem too interested in using fresh beef or things could have “ground” to horrific halt! What would have happened if it were Wendy’s instead?). Jonathan was eventually corralled by local police. They gave him a summons, and then released him in “udder” disgrace.
But the question remains—what was his point? Why did Jonathan feel “cowpelled” to do such a thing? What had him so cheesed off? Reason dictates that Jonathan must have had a significant statement to make. I am just not quite sure I know what it is! Perhaps my problem is thinking that reason had any part to play in Payton’s proceedings? Still, one would like to think that his actions had to be incited by more than just a romp in the unlikely pasture of a Wal-Mart parking lot, but “moo” knows?
Perhaps it had to do with unfair milk prices? Maybe he was representing C.O.W.S (The Covert Operative Wing of Supermarkets). After all, I am sure that many supermarkets are having a hard time competing with Wal-Mart prices. Perhaps he was just taking what he thought, as a cow, was rightfully his? Maybe he fancies himself the Robin Hood of bovines everywhere?
I am probably putting too much thought into this and Jonathan was just a nut doing a stunt. Still it got me thinking: What if there was a message he was trying to communicate that never got milked? That thought lead me to another more troubling question: Do our own actions communicate or confuse the Message we’re called to share?
As Christians you and I are “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Do your actions compliment or distract from the suit? Do they bring clarity or confusion to the cause of Christ? If someone was watching you today what would they say? Would they say, “I have no idea what he/she is doing!” or would they say, “I know exactly who he/she is and their message of hope and love in Christ is being lived out loud and clear.”
Something to chew on as you mooooove through your week.
