Gone Viral
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a short video put together by two friends, Stephen Corbett and Rob Marcelain. We used during our church gathering. The post and video are entitled, Is It In You? Over the last few days, this video has “gone viral” — it’s reached the point where folks are forwarding it and sharing it so that it has developed a life of it’s own as it spreads rapidly. Many of you have commented on the video either on my blog or via email. Many more have forwarded this YouTube video to friends, who’ve forwarded it their friends, who … well, you get the picture.
Much of the power of Jesus’ good news message of the Kingdom is found in the “gone viral” principle. People begin to share, person to person, their excitement, hope, and joy found in Jesus. This is an overwhelming and powerful force, especially during times of challenge, oppression, persecution, and difficulty. You see it lived out powerful in Acts 11:19-30. (Note: Scripture links provide a pop up window with the Scripture text!)
The short letter of 1 Peter is a message about being a holy people for God, living exemplary lives before a hostile culture — see especially 1 Peter 2:9-12 and 1 Peter 3:14-16. The goal is to live in such a way that even critics recognize the character and quality of the believers’ lives and turn to Christ. This is viral living at best.
Unfortunately, however, the other side of “gone viral” is negative. Just like viruses in computers and human bodies are bad, so also “gone viral” can be bad in the life of believers if fear, innuendo, gossip, suspicion, and criticism become an acceptable value in a body of believers — for example, Galatians 5:15. Truth gets lost in rumor and respect for leaders gets lost in partisan positioning.
So the real question for each of us is what viruses are we spreading? Let’s make sure that what is in us, what can “go viral” from us, is what blesses and heals and restores and redeems.
Special thanks to Stephen Corbett who shot and produced this video and to Rob Marcelain who did the actiing! Other videos from Corbett and Crew can be found on the church website.