What is it about this T-Mobile ad that touches me? I mean…it's a cell phone commercial! I think the thing that touches me about this is the joy that these people are feeling. Certainly, many of the folks in this busy train station have planned this event. They know what's happening. They've probably been rehearsing this moment for weeks. But what about the others? Do you see the Joy on their faces? I don't know about you…but I think that's a God moment.
Here they are…lost in their own world. The stress, the drudgery, the gray cloud that hovers in all our lives is evident as they make their way across the station to catch the next train. But then God shows up.
You might think I'm overstating. I mean there are no Christian symbols. No one preaches. No one sings a worship song, there is no altar call and (God-forbid) there's no offering taken up. But make no mistake…God shows up. People begin to dance. Their spirits lift. The things that hurt or brought sadness or confusion only minutes before lifted and for those few moments Joy came on the scene and changed lives…even if only for a few minutes.
But how many people who were in that train station on that day do you think talked about their experience when they got home that night? How many do you think are still talking about it? How many do you think still walk into that station and wish, really wish, that the music would start up again? When Joy shows up…people talk. Lives change.
I'm just so grieved when I think that, as Christ followers, we've taken almost the exact opposite approach. We've gone to that same train station and handed out tracts or stood and preached out loud or held signs that point out the faults and shortcomings of others. We've focused on the darkness instead of sharing the light. What a shame. What a crying shame. Just think of the opportunities we've missed.
If you're a Christian, you've been given this incredible gift…Life (capitalization intended). And that Life is for sharing. Yes, there are a lot of things wrong with this world. Yes, there are a lot of people doing a lot of bad things…things that hurt others and grieve the heart of God. But…I guess…I think we can't do much about that. No one is going to change their ways just because you say so. But that Joy, that Life, you have inside…that will change things. You just need to share.
love it. i’m gonna use this with my leaders. good stuff brother.
skh