ABOUT
THE YELLOW HAT
THE SHORT VERSION.
Want to know about the hat but not a reader, short attention span (like most of us), or just looked this up when you saw a hat on the slopes? Then go grab that guy you saw with the Yellow Hat and ask him what its all about! I promise he will keep it shorter than our long winded tale below.
THE FULL YELLOW HAT TALE.
In the summer of 1995, I received an invitation to go on a “Gorilla” ski trip, scheduled for the first week in February, 1996. The Gorilla Skiers are a group of Christian men who join together annually for a trip of skiing, fun, and fellowship. As I began to complete the registration form, there were three things that attracted me to going on this trip.
First, I really enjoy skiing and look forward to any opportunity to go. Second, I looked forward to the fellowship of Christian men. And third, I was attracted by how economical the trip was going to be.
The registration form requested all the essential information for a ski trip: name, address, ski proficiency level, rental information, roommate preference, etc. Then, I noticed one thing that concerned me. There, on the form, was a mandatory requirement to purchase a yellow cap that all Gorillas were to wear. I love wearing hats and caps. However, I am very particular about the headgear that I wear. I have my own ideas about the types of hats that I wear. But in spite of my concern, I submitted the $8 to purchase the yellow cap.
On February 1, 1996, my friend, Donnie Braziel, and I arrived in Vail, Colorado, excited about the four days of skiing that were ahead. After we registered at our motel, a VIG (Very Important Gorilla) welcomed us and gave us our yellow caps. My worst fears were confirmed. That bright yellow, lightweight, one-size-fits-all cap, made in Bangladesh, with “Gorilla Skier” in bright red letters emblazoned across the front, did not meet my criteria for appropriate headgear.
As I offered resistance to wearing the cap, the VIG explained that the cap is the official Gorilla uniform, and all Gorillas are encouraged to wear it proudly anytime they are in group meetings or in public places. “When people ask about the cap,” or “What is a Gorilla?” he said, “you respond that Gorillas are not a ski club or ski organization. The Gorillas are a Christian men’s group mostly from Texas, who come to ski together every winter. The uniqueness of the cap and the ‘Gorilla’ name was intended to provide numerous opportunities to share our faith in Jesus Christ.”
Beginning on Friday, February 2, 1996, 75 Gorillas, properly adorned in their yellow caps, assaulted the slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek ski resorts. Each day, no less than ten people asked me about the Gorillas, and each time, I had the opportunity to share with them my faith in Jesus Christ.
Over the course of four days, everyone began to know who the Gorillas were. As we would pass them on the slopes, they would call out to us. People would stop us and ask about the Gorillas, and where we were having our Bible studies at night, and where we were having our worship service on Sunday. At the end of four days of skiing, I began to understand the impact that those silly yellow caps were beginning to have. If my experience was the norm, then approximately 3,000 people heard a Gorilla share their faith in Jesus Christ. What began as a reluctant compliance on my part had evolved into avid support. I wore that yellow cap everywhere. Anytime I left my room, I had that cap on. I was afraid that if I didn’t wear the cap, I would miss the opportunity to tell someone about my faith in Jesus Christ.
Every night we had a short Bible study and prayer time.
On the last evening during the prayer time, my friend and roommate, Donnie, prayed for something that gripped my heart. After he thanked the Lord for the fun and fellowship, he thanked Him for the silly yellow caps, and the opportunities they had provided for sharing our faith. Then he prayed that when we all get home and hang those yellow caps in the closet, we would not hang our testimony in the closet with them. This was a needed reminder to me that each and every day, wherever we go, we should allow the love, the life, and the light of the Lord Jesus Christ to show through us as a testimony to those around us.
In my office at home, I have a closet. And in that closet is hanging many caps and hats of all shapes and sizes. But on a wall in my office is a shelf where I keep all my favorite hats and caps. These are my special ones that I enjoy wearing the most. As I was unpacking from my trip, I opened the closet door to hang my yellow cap in the closet. But then I paused, closed the closet door, and hung the yellow cap on the shelf with all my special and favorite hats. It is hanging there as a special reminder that every time I walk out the door, I want my life to be a testimony of my faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible tells us in many places how God uses ordinary men like the Apostle Peter, and common means (like the fishes and loaves used to feed the thousands) to accomplish the extraordinary work of the Kingdom. So how do I feel now about this silly, ordinary, yellow cap? In terms of the Kingdom, maybe this yellow cap is not so silly and ordinary after all.