Only a few years ago most of us had never heard of, much less seen a “flash crowd”. These seemingly impromptu extravaganzas where singers, dancers, and musicians emerge from nowhere and thrill shoppers and travelers with their gifts have taken YouTube by storm. From the Hallelujah Chorus at Macy’s to Do-re-Mi in the Antwerp Train Station, it’s a wonderful new art form that infuses the ordinary with magic. And for those with holy vision, we must ask, “Why? What primal chord is being struck in our hearts by a flash crowd?”
As I watched a video recently the Spirit gave me a “flash-revelation”: We humans love these things because they’re a near perfect reflection of the Kingdom scripted into our hearts by the Creator. Here’s how:
- Flash crowds inject order into chaos and wonder into the mundane. One moment you’re jostling with Christmas shoppers and the next you’re enveloped by an Opera Company singing Handel. That’s the Kingdom! The Messiah walks onto the scene and all our randomness is swallowed-up into meaning: the blind see, the lame leap for joy, relationships are restored, the hungry are fed, mourners rejoice, and the oppressed are set free.
- Flash crowds begin small, (often with a single person), and pull others into a growing movement that changes everything: a giant choir, a full orchestra, a huge dance movement. How like the mustard-seed Kingdom which begins with the smallest of seeds, and overtakes the whole garden with living joy.
- Flash crowds validate People. Each dancer, each part of the orchestra has a distinct and vital part to play. It’s the same in the Kingdom, where each one has a part, and every part becomes more truly himself as he discovers and fills his place in the Whole.
- Flash crowds invite people in: If you know the song, then join us! Don’t know the words? Then hum along, tap your feet, or just revel in the camaraderie. The welcome is for everyone! Amateurs? Professionals? The simple? The seasoned? You have a place! You only need to lay down your own agenda and begin trusting and following the Conductor! Everyone together now: “Hal-le-lu-jah!”
PS: If you skip the ad, you can see what I mean right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJcQYVtZMo)
What a wonderful new picture and revelation on the Kingdom. Thanks for sharing, it’s inspiring and motivating.
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Hey Ryan! Thanks for the note! It’s good to hear from you!
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Glorious! Thanks for posting!
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Melissa! Thanks for the note, and cheers for partnering with the Holy Spirit to get me over the hump. I like your thoughts about God’s questions! Now it’s your turn to offer something to the world! 🙂
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Thanks for the encouragement Don! Glad that the Lord’s message for you made it through! Looking forward to what He’s got up your sleeve! 🙂 Busy blogging for our church prayer campaign: http://www.mosaic40ayprayerchallenge.wordpress.com Would love for you to join in the comments as our time allows! Blessings and thanks! Excited to follow you!
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