Watch Me…and Watch What God Can Do!

Many of you thought that the viral sensation from 2012 known as Gangnam Style was a sign of the end times…

I was in agreement with that, yet here we are 3 years later, the world fully intact.  And how wonderful that we all survived so we could witness the meteoric rise of another intelligently crafted and ‘original’ viral dance video called Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)-right?

Tons of people doing The Whip and NaeNae-ing include athletes, cheerleaders, and (yes) even stuffed Pandas. Perhaps you have indulged in a little Silento celebration yourself?

Well love or hate it (which pretty much describes everyone), one can’t argue with 17 year old Ricky Lamar Hawk’s overnight success formula of talking on a shoe phone, then stealing mashing up several popular dance moves to create one movement.

Perhaps there is something in all of us that likes to see several different things come together and form a unified undertaking that lets people loose to dance and have fun?

I certainly think so, and not because of Silento’s video. I actually formed this opinion on what you might even call the original ‘watch me’ dance from over 2000 years ago:

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift.

He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. (Ephesians 4:4-7; 12-13 The Message)

You see, what began as a ragtag group of Jesus followers in a backwater area of the Roman Empire said ‘watch me’ serve Jesus, and it spread like a viral video all over the planet, and here we are after two millennia still sharing the story and passionately pursuing the Son of God!

And just like the video, we are all a bunch of different people that God called to work together in our own gifted way to create one unified movement.  The ‘dance moves’ we’ve been given are called spiritual gifts, and the moment you put your trust in Jesus was the same moment the Holy Spirit endowed you with a supernatural ability to further THE Cause of making disciples!

In other words, just like the text stated, we have these gifts to use together so we can move ‘rhythmically and easily’ with each fellow believer so that others can join the heavenly dance!

So the question is…are you using your gifts to reach people for Christ? Maybe you don’t even know your spiritual abilities, so the first step would be to step up and join the movement! Talk to your Pastor or youth leader about what gifts you might have and how you can use them. When you find out what they are, don’t put them on a shelf and miss all the amazing opportunities God will give you to change lives.

And like Silento, don’t be shy about putting yourself out there and saying ‘watch me’ as you serve Jesus with your abilities, because that is what people need to see!

Before you know it, you will sense what it’s like to be a part of a viral movement that will literally never end. Dance crazes and bucket challenges are like bright burning meteors that are fantastic to see, but serving Christ is like becoming a fixed star that will burn brightly through eternity.

And finally, think about this. If you get excited when you are able to post something cool on Vine or Instagram, how much more enthusiastic should we be to share the greatest story ever told?

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

Viral videos present a fantastic opportunity to share our faith for THE Cause. If you find yourself recommending Watch Me to a friend, then look for opportunities to bring up the viral nature of Christianity!

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray: Father, thank You for Your grace in calling us to salvation. Help us be responsible in sharing the good news of Jesus so we can help keep the movement going.

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Get: Firestarter. This fun fictional read shows what can happen when one passionate teen uses their gifts to share the good news of Jesus with others.