But I just love it! I love so many different types of shows.
I watch. I DVR. I view On Demand.
Sitcoms. Dramas. Talk shows. Documentaries. Game Shows. Cartoons.
And Shamedly... Reality TV.
Now mostly I like ones that have people with some talent like American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance. I cannot make it through a whole episode of Jersey Shore or the Bachelor but I have hung in there for Mob Wives and even the train wreck that is Dance Moms and Toddlers and Tiaras.
I liken myself to one of my other favorite tv people, Anderson Cooper. He is a quirky combo of serious news journalist intelligence and white trash reality TV-loving ignorance. He freely admits that it is a guilty pleasure and interest that he cannot often explain himself. I feel the same.
I think we are both People Persons(People People?). People fascinate me. I love to look into their lives, and see what shoes they are walking in. Sometimes I recognize the shoes, and sometimes I am just happy that I don't own a pair like theirs, 'cause they look like they leave blisters.
I even tend to think about things in the context of a televised production. Often when I hear a funny story, I envision it as a sitcom or a movie scene. I find myself immersed in a daydream where the scenario plays out in my own high-def mental performance. I believe I am a visual learner and this is how I internalize what I hear. Or I have some undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder.
This happens to me in church sometimes. And it did today.
Pastor Q was telling the classic story of the "Loaves and Fishes" from Mark 6:30. PQ is a great storyteller and he breaks the Bible down into bite-size. manageable pieces for me that I can understand, and he quotes the Bible literally, but then "puts some skin on it" by rephrasing in what I call "English". Today during the sermon, my mind immediately goes into Reality TV/ documentary mode.
30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
32 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.
34 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Jesus has just finished a concert. The crew is exhausted and they jump into the limo to get away for a bit. They drive a little and decide on buying a Starbucks. JC is the new emerging star. None like the world has ever seen. He is beginning to achieve rockstar status. And He has an entourage. A crew, security and a management team, and a band called the Disciples.
They pull up to the Starbucks and find that the paparazzi has run ahead and a rather large crowd has gathered. But Jesus is in the groove. He is pumped! Like an artist, he is in the moment. He LOVES his fans. He begins to sign autographs and shake hands. He is focused on giving the people what they need. Some people are there as true fans, true believers and others have just joined the band wagon. They don't even know who Jesus is but they sense he's someone important and they want to say they were a part of it. They are snapping pictures with their iPhones, Facebooking and "checking in" with JC at Starbucks. Jesus takes out his guitar and decides to sing a few songs right there in the parking lot. He feels utter joy to be sharing a part of himself and the Spirit of his Music. The people listen intently as if they had never heard music before.
The day is getting late. The disciples come to him, “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” Mark 6:35
Some of the disciples are wearing black suits and headsets. Security is at the front holding people back and looking panicky. Jesus is all smiles. He just wants to touch every person. Leave his autograph with every last soul.
"JC.. JC?.. Man, listen... it's getting late. Peter needs his latte. He's getting a caffeine headache. This crowd is off the chain. Let's just get our Grande Mocha Frappe and go, man."
37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!”
Here's what plays on Fast forward in my mind.
JC says to Philip, "So. Go get Peter his latte and bring a treat for everyone here."
"What? Are you on crack? Seriously JC... do you see how many people are here? My gold card does NOT have that many credits on it. Maybe enough for like 5 grandes and 2 cake pops!
And just like the Loaves and fishes story, there is plenty to go around. Everyone gets their autographs and there is the miracle of enough Mochas and cakepops for all!
God's will be done. :)
Now don't you wish we could go back in time with a film crew and just follow Jesus and the Disciples for a reality show? I would watch, TIVO, DVR, On Demand it, and buy the Blu-ray!
I cannot help but go this route everytime I read or hear about the Disciples and their lack of faith. And the PATIENCE that Jesus must have had for them, and has for all of us. The Disciples were losers. Idiots. Bufoons. And yet Jesus chose them to carry on his message. He saw something in them that was worthy. No matter if they could see it or not.
How about when Jesus is walking with his Disciples and is trying to tell them that he has to die and they are behind Him arguing about who is the best?? Mark 9:30-33 I picture the Holy One having a moment where He reverts to "fully man" and just looks to sky saying "Really, Lord? Really? I have to die for these yahoos?? Are you sure there is not another way?"
That's the irony and the beauty right there. Jesus died for us anyway. For the idiots who continued to disbelieve even after He performed miracles right in front of their faces. For the fools who questioned again and again.
And He is OUR Biggest fan! He thinks we are the Rockstar! Right now. Right where we are. Not when we get on the cover of Rolling Stone. Not when we sell a million records. Right now when we are singing in our room too shy to let anyone hear us. He hangs posters of us in his bedroom, and wears t-shirts with our picture on them. He is front row center at every concert, and saves the ticket stubs in his memory box.
But the Disciples give me hope. Hope that God sees something special in each of us and if we can just get out of our own way and let Him lead us, He has a great plan for our lives. He loves us ALL. To Him we are all "the best." No matter what we do or don't do. No matter how we fail, doubt or question.
And if there's was hope for the Disciples, then there is hope for me. And if there is hope for me then there is hope for you.
And if there is hope for you, then even Snooki has a chance. Rock on, JC!
