"Big Tex"

Last week, the symbol of the Texas State Fair, a 52 foot animatronic cowboy by the name of “Big Tex,” went up in flames.

The State Fair mascot apparently had an electrical short, starting in his right boot. The photos taken show the blaze spread quickly, to onlookers, until all that was left was some wire framing.

Thankfully, no one was hurt. But it got me to thinking, once again, about the issue of idols. No worshipping of a fatted calf here, no. I never heard or saw of any report of someone literally bowing before the cowboy. But this mascot does speak to a larger issue. It’s about a representation we look to, from which get identity, meaning and value. The Texas State Fair, for the past sixty years, has, indeed, employed “Big Tex” as their mascot, to immediately identify the uniqueness of their state’s attraction. And yes, it is an effective message: the cowboy. What’s more Texas than that, right? But, after this unfortunate fire event, I cannot count how many times I have heard the use of the word, “icon” to describe “Big Tex’s” significance. Icon. Isn’t that another word for “idol?” And doesn’t God warn against us erecting any such idol? “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” 1 John 5:21 When I’ve written and spoken about the idol issue, I frequently use the example of the Barbie doll, especially when discussing disordered food, weight and body image issues.

Barbie is the epitome of the idol, as so many of us little girls grew up influenced by her measurements and physical appearance, an appearance which is not realistic in the first place. But placing so much attention upon anything and anyone, apart from God, is still idolatry. Let’s not sugarcoat it. Mascots and dolls, like “Big Tex” and Barbie, in and of themselves, aren’t the problem. The problem comes when we attach power and value to nothing that can save us, to the detriment of a correct, loving attitude, pursuit of and relationship to God. “What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.” Habakkuk 2:18-19 It is God, after all, Who deserves all of our heart and attention: “…‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 “Big Tex” may be rebuilt. I don’t know what will happen there. But if and when he is, will our hearts and attention once again, go to that object for identity, power and value, or will we really check our hearts for our own individual idols instead and choose another choice, an eternal one we’ll never regret? “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Let’s try to put our focus on that, instead of any other representation, image or mascot! Copyright © 2012 by Sheryle Cruse