We went to McKenzie to watch Dory’s theatre group do a flash mob. For the uninitiated, a flash mob is a type of performance art. A group organizes/rehearses and puts together a seemingly spontaneous performance or public activity. For example, a worker at the mall food court leaps the counter and starts singing a love song to his girlfriend to music coming from hidden speakers. She joins in and next thing you know, a dozen people have leaped up from tables and joined in the dance routine. Another example was when several people were milling around Grand Central Station in NYC and when the clock struck the hour, they all froze in place. They stood there like statues for a specified amount of time and then snapped out of it and moved on.
Dory’s group did a wonderful job – of course – but a bit of the spontaneity was lost as they were all dressed alike and standing around waiting for the dance to begin. Even though I knew what was about to happen, I think a lot of the folks watching probably figured it out as well.
Isn’t that kind of like life sometimes? We want things to look smooth and effortless but we put a lot of work into it to get it there. On the other hand, if we don’t put the necessary work into something, it can be so spontaneous that it has little to no direction or purpose – and often falls flat.
Our Christian lives lie somewhere in the middle. We should study and work hard so living for Christ seems effortless. On the other hand, we shouldn’t be so bound by an agenda that we miss Godly “serendipities,” as an acquaintance used to say. A rainbow, a baby’s coo, or a hand on the shoulder are all glimpses of God that we might pass over if we’re too busy on our way to the next item on our list. Serve God through your order but keep on the lookout for a heavenly “flash mob” to break out in song and dance!
Until our next togethering,
love ya,
Bret
