Introducing Dashboard Jesus

His light. Our path.

I’m not sure when they became all the rage. The little plastic, usually spring-bottomed, bobble-headed Jesus figurines that came with an adhesive base to stick to your car dashboard. But at some point they became culturally ubiquitous. Lyrics to songs (including one of my very favorite Bon Jovi hits) referenced them.

For those who had their own personal, plastic, dashboard Jesus, they all had different reasons for displaying them. For some it was merely a colorful, novelty item that added a bit of humor, as well as provided a conversation piece. For others, it was a religious symbol, signifying – especially when driving – that Christ was their passenger on this road of life. Still others, the little 4-inch Savior on a spring was a reminder of their commitment to Jesus, much like the WWJD bracelet fad became for several years.

For me, the dashboard Jesus concept has a slightly deeper meaning. In one sense, I see the flippancy of a self-serving culture, eager to turn the Savior of humanity into a toy or plaything. He accompanies us as a bit of a gimmick, cheaply bending, twisting, and turning to follow us in our car wherever we decide to take Him. We don’t want the real Jesus. We want the plastic version that has the outward appearance of piety, but that we can make into whatever we personally prefer.

In another sense, I see a profound illustration of what I believe and what I desire for my life from this moment forward. Not in a Carrie Underwood, “Jesus take the wheel” kind of way, where He is our refuge only when times are challenging or trying. No, a Jesus that out in front of my wheels, lighting my path with His word and His wisdom. A Jesus on my dashboard, providing the lens through which I view the world around me, and guiding me into an unknown future where only He knows the way.

I’ve expressed several times to several people in several contexts and conversations over the last four to five years of my life that I generally feel like I’m wandering a bit. Am I a preacher? Am I a teacher? Am I a political commentator? Am I a humorist or an entertainer? Am I an opinion writer? Am I a conference or inspirational speaker? Am I a radio or podcast host?

And beyond that, who is my audience? Who am I speaking to? Am I just crying out into the wilderness, and if so, is that okay? Am I missing an opportunity to impact a particular group or community in a profound way because I’m too preoccupied trying to be too much to too many people?

About a year and a half ago, I had just completed speaking for a summit at Dayspring Christian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Here’s a picture of that evening:

Moments before this picture was taken (by the way, I’m still trying to figure out who the sinner is that was snapping pictures during a prayer!), the gentleman that I have my hand on there, Mark Sutherlin, spoke some words about me that I won’t ever forget. I’ve thought about them every time I’ve stewed over this feeling of wandering. He referenced the late Christian singer and author Rich Mullins, whose biography/devotional book is called, “An Arrow Pointing to Heaven.” Mark blessed me immensely when he said to his congregation that when he sees me speak and hears me talk about my life he thinks of that very description – that my life is like an arrow pointing men towards heaven.

I’ve never been as honored by a description in my life. And I’ve known, even as I have continued to flail and stagger around trying to answer all those questions I listed earlier, that is what I want my life to be about. I want to follow Jesus, to become more like Him, to let His Spirit light my way and lead me on, and then use whatever platform I have along that journey to encourage other people to do the same.

That’s how I ended up here, in a metaphorical car, heading out into a strange land, following the lead of my dashboard Jesus – the real Jesus. All of my efforts – my writing, my podcasts, my speaking, my teaching, my preaching – I want it all to go to this end. The Memo, the Bible teaching, the column writing, the sermons, the podcasts, the videos – all in lockstep behind my focus on dashboard Jesus.

Five days ago, I received a notice on my phone that “The Memo with Peter Heck” was ranked 73^rd in the country for Substack’s most read faith-based commentaries. That’s really cool to me, but if that many people are reading and sharing it, then I know I need to be putting together a better product that does a better job honoring God and my true mission in life.

So here’s what this community, those of you who have subscribed to The Memo, can expect moving forward (elements in bold will be for our paid subscribers only):

• Every Monday, a Bible teaching clip that will serve as a spiritual focus heading into your week.

• Every Tuesday, the full video, audio, and transcript from my most recent message.

• On either Wednesdays or Fridays, a written commentary that digs deeper, providing more context, or connecting some cultural, current issue to the themes of the Christ-centered focus of the week. (This replaces the old Memo).

• Every Thursday, the Dashboard Jesus Podcast (audio only) that focuses explicitly on Christian authenticity in a politicized, polarized world. The Extra Mile (video and audio) that responds to deeper questions about faith, struggles, or challenges in the Christian walk of our paid subscriber community (sometimes will release on Fridays).

Along with all of this, there is a new website coming that will host all of my work in this regard. PeterHeck.com will be phased out into a generalized landing site with minimal content. The Dashboard Jesus site will become the central hub for what I’m producing.

That’s all coming in the near future and I’m beyond excited about it, and here’s a major reason why: I spent a good 20 years of my life trying to make a name for myself. I’m glad that changed a few years ago, and I want to build on that momentum to spend however many more I’ve got making a name for Him in however large a circle of influence He sees fit to provide me. I’m glad you’re a part of it and hope you know a few others who would like to join.

I could be wrong, but I think they’d benefit from having a little dashboard Jesus in their life too. See you next week.