I like to watch TV shows about cars. If you don’t, please stay with me. I’m going somewhere with this. Anyway, shows about cars – the ones where they work on them, like rebuilding a classic that has been wrecked or has sat in somebody’s barn for years. It’s been some time since I watched many of these shows, but recently I’ve had a chance to take in a few.
I’m noticing a trend in some of these programs. More and more of the actions in the broadcasts don’t have anything to do with working on the cars. I guess it’s some kind of human interest development. They will show the “stars” in conflict, arguing about this or that – drama! Or they will focus on the head guy lamenting about the fast approaching deadline to finish the project; invariably he’ll express his doubt that they will get it done (my advice: get off camera and get to work!), but they always do finish in time. Sometimes they’ll show the shop employees playing around – pulling a practical joke or getting into a food fight or whatever. There are also scenes that are obviously set up to produce more drama, like breaking a part that took weeks to find. Then there’s something like this: 4-5 minutes of a one hour episode depicted one man rounding up and taking away a rooster that hung around the shop and crowed once in awhile. Seven and one half percent (my randomly calculated estimate) of the show about a rooster! These programs are not about the cars.
A different kind of program focuses more on the cars. Now, they’re not training videos that give a detailed process, but most of the episode will be showing the actual work that goes into restoring/upgrading the vehicle. The various shop employees use their different ideas, creativity, and skills to produce the finished product. Interactions between the people, handling problems, and playing around are shown, but not to the extent of the other kind of program. In these shows, the “stars” are engaged in something bigger than themselves.
Seeing this difference made me think about the reality that we can be engaged in something bigger than ourselves. Even bigger than a restored car or anything else.
Mark describes Jesus beginning his ministry like this. Mark 1:14-20.
The kingdom of God. That’s the project that’s bigger than us.
I’m not going to get into an explanation of the kingdom of God very much. The main point I want to make is that following Jesus is not just about ourselves. There’s something bigger that Jesus calls us for. Something that will change the world. His kingdom. His project. Jesus is bringing about a restored way of living for humanity. And everyone of us can be engaged in that.
I encourage you to find out more about what that looks like and how you fit in. Join up with others who get it and be part of something big (really big!).
I should probably be watching fewer car shows so I can be better engaged in the kingdom!