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I feel like our society is enamored with the concept of “randomness.” TV shows and Youtube clips are full of content that feature spontaneity, with no predictable patterns, and oftentimes, without purpose. It’s hilarious. Even fan favorites such as The Office offer no predictability in the plot, which is what gives the show its charm.
I was performing at a youth convention recently, and a group of kids were dressed in foam rubber suits, having sword fights with pool noodles wrapped in duct tape wherever they went. There was no objective, here. They were just creating spontaneous humor in unexpected places, such as the hotel lobby. It was hilarious. As an adult, I probably should have been the one telling them to take it out side, but while the security guards continued to chase them down, I was usually the one with the video camera in-hand, cheering them on.
I was on a tour with DJ Bombay a couple of years ago, in beautiful Montana. Not a lot to do in beautiful Montana, and if anyone is familiar with Bombay, he is usually discontent with life’s day-to-day predictability. If there’s no action, he’ll create some, believe me. On one long drive in-between concerts, he tried to convince me to pull the van over so that he could tackle an antelope. He also discussed the possibility of pulling over at a bar to stage an old-fashioned saloon brawl with the locals. He makes public announcements. Frequently. At one restaurant, at 2 a.m., he tried to convince our waitress that he had no money, but that flexing his biceps should more than suffice. At another restaurant, he followed a waitress around with a sugar packet, insisting, “You dropped you nametag, Sugar.” On yet another occasion, the power cord to his deejay mixer broke. We found a pawn shop in the area, and the shop owner fixed it for a mere five dollars. Bomb was unable to pay the man, however, because he’d already spent the cash on VHS tapes of eighties movies in that very pawn shop (“bro, they had The Dark Crystal!”)
I love that guy, and I am very fond of his “randomness.” He has also always been the guy to translate that randomness into loving on people. He’ll always pick out the “awkward” kid in a youth group, and befriend him immediately, involving him in the antics that will inevitably ensue. He may not be present at a formal “altar call” at the end of an event because he’s busy having a conversation with the kid in the lobby who was “creeped out by all the Christian stuff,” but still had questions about God. That’s Bombay’s ministry, and gift.
Jesus was certainly random in his miracles and actions, and set that example for us as believers. He didn’t forewarn his disciples, or even the people, for the healings, mass feedings, or other incredible events that defined Him as God. He performed them to help people, and meet them exactly where they were. For some, He met immediate needs, such as healing their sickness. On other occasions, His miracles were so powerful that doubters immediately hung their heads in shame for ever questioning Him.
Our lives are series of random moments. Let’s ensure we make the most of each one by reflecting Him in each circumstance.
