Volume 30, No. 2                                            
January 9, 2005

On A Roll

   Duct tape.  Its biggest fans are really stuck on it, including comedian Red Green who calls it the “Handyman’s Secret Weapon.”  Pop philosopher Carl Zwanzig goes even further:  “”It’s like the Force,” he says.  “It has a dark side and a light side and it holds the universe together.”

   Developed for the American military during World War Two to seal  ammunition cases against moisture, the versatile product was originally called “duck” tape because it was waterproof and made from a cotton canvas by that name.  It became “duct” tape in the 1950s when it was commonly used on furnace piping.

   Since then, the adhesive has become legendary for its many uses. When the Apollo 17 astronauts drove on the moon, the dust kicked up by their vehicle’s wheels caused major problems with equipment, so they built fenders out of maps, clamps and duct tape.

   Soldiers everywhere use duct tape as bandaids, tent repair material and flypaper.  In Florida and Texas, duct tape is used to keep window glass from shattering during hurricanes.

   In the 2,000-mile Tesoro Iron Dog snowmobile race in Alaska, racers put duct tape on exposed skin, to prevent frostbite.  Along the same lines, when calves are born in extremely cold weather, their ears often freeze.  So a Canadian rancher duct tapes their ears to their heads to keep them warm, instead of using fleece-lined earmuffs that are easily scratched off.  Others use duct tape to close wounds on their animals because medical tape isn’t strong enough for the farm.

   On the NASCAR circuit, a special grade of duct tape is used for instant auto repairs, which is why it’s called “the 200-mph tape.”   Likewise, we use duct tape to fix leaky rad hoses, or as a substitute for body filler, or to patch leaky boats until they get back to shore.

   Fashion models and beauty queens apply the product on top of surgical tape to enhance cleavage in low cut gowns because it’s strong and flexible enough to lift, shape and hold everything in place.  But for those wanting a more subtle fashion statement, duct tape is used to make wallets, belts, ties, hats, and even umbrellas with matching raincoats. It now comes in a kaleidoscope of colours, even “transparent”.

   If you think about it, love is the duct tape of the spiritual realm.  In a very real sense, it has a dark side and a Light side, and it really does hold the universe together.  Jesus is love and “by him, all things were created, in heaven and on earth... and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:16,17)

   From the beginning, love was designed to protect our spiritual arsenal. It seals our hearts against the seepage of sin and self-interest, ensuring we have the ammunition we need to fight the good fight.  When Paul inventories our spiritual weapons, he tells us to use them all, “to stand firm“ against the tricks of the Devil so that “after the battle you’ll be standing firm”, able to “stand your ground.” (Eph. 6: 11, 13,14)  Love is the all-powerful adhesive that keeps our faith and commitment firmly in place.

   Love is also the bandage that binds our wounds and allows the healing to begin. Amid the storms of life, it prevents the shattering of our hearts — the windows of our souls.  It protects us from the serious damage that would otherwise be inflicted by our frantic race through this cold, uncaring world.  It comes in many colours but true love is usually transparent.   

   When things go wrong as we try to get to where we’re going, it’s love that sees us through each emergency.  And since the church is the vehicle God expects us to use on our journey to Him, love is the perfect Body-repair material.  

   As for fashion, “The most important piece of clothing you must wear is love.  Love is what binds us together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:14)   Yes, love lifts, shapes and holds us together — even when people are looking down on us!

By Rick Gamble, published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the Followers of Christ church family in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To receive these free weekly articles via email, send a note to sgamble@bfree.on.ca