Sometimes with all the negative media and tv shows, it's easy to feel discouraged in being "weird" as my dear friend Jennifer put it. Weird meaning that you live differently than the world. You refuse to follow the norm because it's the popular thing. You step out of your comfort zone to live a life that God calls you to.
Justin and I watch little TV but when we do, we have a few shows we make sure we watch every week. One of those is "Survivor." I know, the reality show that's been on for like a trillion seasons. Somewhat corny. It's not the most moral show by any means but there's a lot of reality tv out there that is much worse. It's pretty mild. So Wednesday we were watching and I had my breath taken away. Let me backtrack....This season is different. Once the person is voted out of their tribe they have to go to redemption island. There they compete in a dual with another person who was voted out. Whoever wins the dual stays until the next person arrives. Whoever is left at the end for winning the duals will be allowed back in the game at the end with the final 2 players. This season, there's been a tribe who has dominated. After the two tribes merged they quickly voted off the other tribe members one after the other. They wouldn't let them sleep under their shelter, they wouldn't talk with them, they were just plain bully's. So last week it was down to where they had voted the tribe they didn't like out completely. 4 were remaining on redemption island and had to compete in a dual to win a visit from a loved one. Whoever came in last place had to go home and the other 3 would remain on redemption island. So here's the clip (watch it, I promise it'll be worth every second)....
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/video/?pid=9W1yrCa8TJhZg1ltsl_AQQG73CV_NG2G&vs=Default&play=true
Mike, who had been bullied by this other team, gives up his time with his mother so that they can see their loved ones. Talk about loving your enemy. Wow. Not only was my heart gleaming for Mike and those there to witness his act, but my heart was gleaming for the millions of people watching who might be changed as a result of watching it. I know, silly to think a small move like that will bring someone to know God, but a seed is a seed. What an awesome testimony. St Francis of Assisi said it best, "Preach the gospel at all times, when necessary, use words."
I'm thinking the Survivor clip is truly a rare thing for primetime tv. That was until tonight. Same week, another awesome example is displayed. "What would you do" airs a clip on a teen who is 9 months pregnant and meets with the adoptive parents at a restaurant only to tell them she's changed her mind. (These are really actors but the other customers don't know this is a fake situation) The couple is clearly upset and starts crying. Words are exchanged and the teen gets up to leave. The man follows the teen and the wife is left there crying. Her hopes of being a mother are lost. The goal was to see what people would do. Some came and talked to the woman and tried telling her it would be ok. However, two women from opposite tables come together and sit with the girl. They put their arms around her and provide comforting words. Then they start to pray. These two strangers, helping a fellow stranger by praying. It brought tears to my eyes. The actress later said how it moved her and even planted a seed in her own faith journey. Come to find out, one of the women works/volunteers for UNICEF. Clearly she's a giving person. Imagine what our nation would look like if we acted like those two strangers who approached a weeping woman and held no hesitation in seeking God's comfort. Publicly.
Kudos to ABC and CBS for airing these clips.
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