Moments for the Heart

When one thinks of something going viral, one may think of YouTube videos like Chewbacca Mom and Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That. These viral sensations impacted our lives and our culture. They brought on endless parodies and even a long list of memes that immortalized the maker of the video. With the rise of TikTok, new videos are popping up almost weekly.

The Viral We All Know

Videos are not the only thing that can go viral. One-liners delivered through TV and movies can also become viral. “Where’s the Beef?” “I’ll be back.” “Say hello to my little friend.” “Alrighty, then.” “Go ahead, make my day” “To the moon, Alice.” “How you doin’,” “Missed it by that much.” These phrases have made their famous run for the last 50 years. Depending on your generation, you will have your favorites. And I bet each voice recited each of those lines for ya.

Going viral is all about being recognized, internalized, and immortalized. People see something and enjoy it. Hey, there’s another, “I’m lovin’ it.” They feel a connection to it through laughter or shared experience. Then they want to share what they saw or heard with everyone. A video becomes viral because people relate to the content. A phrase goes viral when people use the vernacular in everyday conversation. A lifestyle becomes viral when enough people seek to emulate the lifestyle being portrayed.

So, what if being a Christian became viral? What if going to church became the ‘in’ thing to do. What if people became Jesus ‘stans’? What impact would this have on our world today?

The Influx of the Secular Facing the Spectacular

You are witnessing a major shift in the way people view Christianity. On the one hand, we are being scolded over our stance on moral issues, unafraid to call sin, sin. On the other side of the fence, we see people climbing out of the woodwork and turning to Jesus, acknowledging Him as their Savior.

While some household names have professed Christ for a while now, like Tim Tebow, Selena Gomez, and Mario Lopez, others are new to their spiritual journey. Names synonymous with secular culture like Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, and Kanye West are now professing their faith publicly. Even professed atheists Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt have come to grips that there is a God, and He loves each and every one of us.

The Bible and Professing Faith in Christ

Countless verses give us clear instructions on what we must do to be saved. And many non-Christians often believe that it requires you to stop living life, read the Bible from sunup to sundown, and leave all you once knew behind. This could not be farther from the truth. You only need to do one thing to be saved; you must believe.

Some would argue there is more to the process, but once you believe, the admit and confess portion of it begins to fall into place. True belief brings the realization that we are sinners, and we can only turn to Jesus for forgiveness.

John 3:16 is one verse that even people who don’t know another word of the Bible most likely know; it is the crux of all scripture—God loves the world. He sent His son into the world to die for us. If we believe this, we will be saved. Romans 10:9 reaffirms that if anyone believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth, they are saved. Everyone.

The Stones Cry Out

There has always been one verse that’s impacted me. Jesus is speaking as he makes his Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Recorded in the book of Luke, Jesus is being rebuked by the Pharisees for allowing his disciples to praise God so vocally. Jesus tells them, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” – Luke 19:40

With recent events, it has me thinking, are ‘the very stones’ crying out? Have we as Christians remained silent so long that God is now using those who some would consider unconvertable? Who would think that Kanye West, a man known for his on and off-stage antics, would become a man of God? But now, he has recorded an album shouting his faith from the rooftop. Even Snoop Dog has made a Gospel album. Just, wow!

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus chose these words? ‘Cry out.’ The original Greek word is krazō. It literally means to scream or a loud shout. We correlate shouting and being loud with those who have a voice to be heard. We also associate the word stone with a hardened heart — someone who will not budge on a position or has little feeling for what matters. So, the ones we have considered stones are now using their musical talents to shout out the word of the Lord. Hallelujah!!

Take A Virus for What it’s Worth

If indeed the stones are now crying out, we need to take notice. For one, we must rid ourselves of our self-righteous doubt and rejoice that a lost sheep has come home. It is ridiculous for us to pray for lost souls, then when one finds their way to Christ, doubt that they are genuine. God can work in and through whom he chooses. He chose you, right? He spoke through a burning bush, a cloud in the sky, through a donkey, and now he is choosing to speak through a rock, a secular voice that no one dreamed would find Christ.

Think about the possibilities. Reports showed that Bible sites and Google witnessed a spike in searches for Jesus and the tenants of the Christian faith after Kanye’s “Jesus is King” was released. God continues to use his music, and those like him, to reach the lost. If God’s Word is spreading, should it matter how it is spread? Remember, the disciples were telling Jesus that they had to stop a man from using Jesus’ name to spread the word about him. Jesus tells them, “For he who is not against us is on our side.” – Mark 9:40

A Viral Choice to Make

What if God used Kanye, Justin, and Brad to make becoming a Christian viral? How many souls could be reached? This is a glorious thing.

So, fellow believers, let us join with our new brothers and sisters in Christ and share the Gospel with the world. It is a wonderfully amazing thing to witness these men and women come to the saving grace we know. God’s hand can reach the highest heights and the lowest depths. He will leave the 99 to save the one. And one by one, he is bringing those who are His home. Glory to His name!!

Originally posted on November 6, 2019