Viral Pandemic

It's every copywriter's dream to create an ad that goes viral. That their design is iconic, a beacon, a siren's call to customers of all shapes and sizes is the hope.

I was one of those kids who could spot the Golden Arches a mile (or ten, if my parents are to be believed) away. It was a design and an ad that was viral to the extreme- this ploy worked on countless young eyes and minds. But there was another ad that always caught my eye, and stuck with me for all these years. And it was in no way intended for pre-pubescent eyes to be caught up in:

There was something about the image of the world covered in paint (it may have been the red, making it look like blood, that got me) that grabbed my attention and would not let it go. It spoke a simple message: Cover the Earth. Dig deeper and what it said was that Sherwin Williams paint should be used to paint everything- it's that good. Every painted thing you see should be colored in the hues of Sherwin Williams. That was the company goal, that was the hope they strove toward.

Jesus tells us to "Cover the Earth" as well. We don't use the paint brush, but we do spread His message over the whole planet. But I gotta say, it was ambitious to the point of absurdity for Sherwin Williams to say it could "Cover the Earth" with it's paint- it's downright crazy for us to say we Christians can "Cover the Earth" with the message of Christ. But then:

If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

-2 Corinthians 5:13

Still, it's crazy, and daunting. I cannot in anyway spread Jesus message over the whole earth by myself. Even with Facebook, and Twitter, and blogs, and the internet at large- it's not possible. And I don't feel called to live in Africa or China or Russia- this does not make me less of a Christian. Though, sometimes, I feel that's the impression people get from Christian leaders. Even if I had the money, I could never "Cover the Earth" as one person. But I can "Cover my World."

Earth is the planet I live on. But it is not my world. My world is the area I exist in. My family, my work, my street, my online presence, the people I encounter from day to day in passing- this is my world. This is who I can reach, who I can "Cover." If I feel that I must reach all 7 billion-ish people, I'm being crazy- and a little bit bloated with my own self-importance. But I can reach the dozen or so neighbors around me, my church, the people I work with, the workers at the stores I frequent and the people who read what I blurt out online.

That's doable.

That's my mission field.

Perhaps, it can be yours. Look around you: see the people you invest in, the things you love, the hobbies you spend time in, the things that make you come alive. This is your world. This is the world Christ is calling you to share Him with. Maybe you'll do it down the street, or maybe half a world away. No matter what, live full out for Christ in the place you are.

It's your world.

Cover it.

Commissioning

Its the time of year when college students graduate.  Or go home for the summer.  Or get internships.  Or go on mission.  Or work at a camp.  Or- well you get the idea.

Being that college students are the bulk of our church, normally I find this time of year kinda stressful.  With most of our congregation gone, questions of whether or not to keep meeting at the bar and who else can we invite to join us begin to weigh on me.

That's normally.

But this year, the students going out from the Gate are going out seeking God and seeking to share the love of God.  They are going all over the world, literally.  So I want to take a chance to offer them up to you, as examples, and for prayer.

Staying somewhat locally, Rachel and Lindsey are working with Impact- a  retreat for incoming freshmen at A&M that is not unlike Fish Camp.  The difference is that Impact is intending to point these fish toward Christ, providing them opportunities to meet other believers and learn about churches and organizations that honor Christ.  Rachel and Lindsey are going to be key in speaking into the lives of those students.

Neil will be bound for California and an internship with an engineering firm.  He is seeking to let God grow him through this experience, and to be challenged by God to trust in Him more. He is also hoping to be an example of Christ in the lives of co-workers and fellow interns.

Nate is bound for Southeast Asia to work with English Language classes.  He is going with his home church and they hope to reach the people of this area with the hope of Christ.  They need prayer for protection, wisdom, and boldness.

The last group of students I ask you to pray for are our graduates.  We've had graduates before, but most have moved on with their post-graduate careers here at A&M.  Jessica will be graduating and going to Med School here at A&M this fall.  Joseph will be graduating and seeking his career in the Financial field.  Mitch and Lauren have been with us since almost the beginning, but they will be heading off to seek their future- Lauren in the Metroplex to continue her education and Mitch is seeking a possible internship in Washington DC.

As Christ sent the disciples out, telling them they had His power and authority, He now sends these young people out in His Name.  Pray for them.  They will be His ambassadors to the nations.

But then, so are we.  You and I.  We are called to be His ambassadors- to the ends of the earth and even in our own homes.  As much as we want to celebrate and remember those who are seeking these adventures, we must remember that there are lost souls, hungry people, and believers who need love and attention right here with us.  All around us.

So we are all commissioned.  And we all have His authority and power.

"He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
                                                              -- Luke 10: 18-20

Let us go forth.  Let us speak of Him.  Let us see miracles happen.

But may we rejoice because we are known by Him.