On January 3, 2010, rising Christian music singer/songwriter, Josh Wilson, found himself in Newark Airport with a few associates only to discover all flights were canceled. Have you been there? Not in Newark, per se, but in a situation with hundreds and hundreds of angry travelers trapped in an airport. I have. Nerves are on edge. Tempers are flaring. Attitudes and personalities are tested. What do you do?
Watch what Josh did:
Some of my fellow Christ-followers would wonder aloud, "Why would you not want to sing a song about Jesus Christ while you have a captive audience?"
Some of my more marketing-driven peeps would ask,"Why would he not want to sing one of his originals and maybe put his case out for donations, or sell product right there on the spot?"
"What a wasted opportunity," some say.
Well, let's examine what he did. Knowing a little more of the story, some of his buddies didn't think he would take the challenge of just busting out the guitar and bellerin' out a song. But he did. He chose a song by one of the most popular bands of all time. A song with a great hook everyone in the airport over 25 would recognize. He "took a sad situation and made it better." Did you see the smiles on the faces- the black faces, the red faces, the white faces, and the yellow faces?
Here is the rest of the story. This link has been twittered by a who's who of famous twitterers from Ryan Seacrest to the founder of Twitter himself. It has been picked up by Fox News, NBC and CNN. Before it is said and done, millions will be exposed to the music and ministry of Josh Wilson because of his act of kindness- simply using his gifts to make a the most of a bad situation. Jesus Christ will ultimately receive the praise He so richly deserves.
If Josh had pulled out his guitar and sang "Amazing Grace" he, no doubt, would have made a few folks happy. Several Christian travelers would have had a cute capture on their smart phones. But you and I would not be talking about it and millions of people, in the quietness of their homes, would not be researching what Josh Wilson is all about-- and the God he serves.
Something to think about.
We hear a lot about "missional" these days. This was the absolute embodiment of it. Loved it!
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