Don't Imagine

The Bible has much to say about the use of our mouths, and in times of difficulty, when people are
looking for hope and in need of encouragement, we can realize the power and influence that God has given to us. In Proverbs 18, we can read:
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

We can certainly weigh our words, making sure that our hearts are right, since Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  So, there is much that we can choose to say, and choose not to say.  We can check our hearts so that we are speaking truth with the right tone and the right attitude, and look for ways in which we can bring encouragement to people who are beset by anxiety and worry.

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In these challenging times, we can look for ways in which we can communicate truth in a way that
encourages and brings hope to people and honor to God. Ephesians 4 states:
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Imagine this: a group of celebrities, some of whom will be appearing in an impending blockbuster movie, putting together an Instagram video of a classic song, with the intent of bringing hope in the desperation of the Coronavirus crisis.

But, when the song happens to be Imagine, by John Lennon, the whole thing just seems to lose its luster - hardly a hope-filled song, you know the one, that starts out, "Imagine there's no heaven...," the one that trumpets having "no religion," and for the Hollywood set, having "no possessions" might be a bridge too far.  But, the wish is that the whole world "will be as one."

This celebrity mashup was apparently initiated by Gal Gadot, who will be starring in a new Wonder Woman movie in a few months.  The BBC described this project:

Gadot enlisted fellow superheroes Natalie Portman (Thor) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) for the cover, with more than 20 others each singing a line of the song.

Will Ferrell, Amy Adams, Kristen Wiig, Sia and Cara Delevingne also took part.

The star said she had chosen the song for its "powerful and pure" message of unity during the coronavirus pandemic.

She had been inspired by a clip of an Italian man playing the song on his trumpet on his balcony to his neighbours who were self-isolating.

John Stonestreet of Breakpoint had a wonderful response on Twitter:

Uh... so, you are telling me that to imagine this world is all there is, people have no source of intrinsic value, and history is headed nowhere should make me feel better about a pandemic? https://t.co/6T1Bk3gZAn

— John Stonestreet (@JBStonestreet) March 19, 2020

The video has received mixed reviews, with even some bristling at the idea of celebrities calling for "no possessions."  It does seem celebrities are having a hard time striking the right tone here in the crisis.  Vanessa Hudgens likewise had some trouble in trying to comment on the virus, saying on Instagram, according to CBSNews.com: "It's a virus, I get it. Like, I respect it. But at the same time, like, even if everybody gets it, like, yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible but, like, inevitable?" She later said her comments were taken out of context.  Matthew McConaughey's comments seemed to be a bit more appropriate.

Fact is, we can try to provide the right words of hope and encouragement in the midst of a situation that we have never been in before.  And, I am thankful that there seems to be an abundance of customized content online, as churches rush to get up and running on streaming worship services, and pastors and speakers are producing devotionals, Bible studies, and inspirational comments.  Bible study material is being made available online for free - we have a unique opportunity to grow spiritually in the midst of this crisis!

Christian musicians are taking advantage of the opportunities, as well.  I mentioned the livestream Will Graham and two members of the Afters are doing tonight, since the Will Graham Celebration in South Georgia was cancelled.  Comedian Michael Jr. and Christian musical artist JJ Weeks have special Facebook Live presentations this Sunday night.  Christian bands Unspoken and Apollo LTD did a special online concert last night, and Andrew Peterson will be reading portions of his latest book on Facebook beginning tonight; he's already been part of a Facebook Live streaming event.

Also, good news from the producers of the movie, I Still Believe, which had an impressive opening weekend last weekend, but its box office run was altered as the result of the Coronavirus:

Next weekend, find hope at home. See #IStillBelieve on demand beginning March 27. pic.twitter.com/MzUGlcgaPq

— I Still Believe Film (@istillbelieve) March 19, 2020

We can continue to reflect on how we can be connected during this time of social distancing and widespread cancellation.  The Church has not been cancelled, and we can expect God to move in incredible ways as His name is lifted up and His Word is spoken and sung.  You may not be a social media presenter, as such, but perhaps there is a way God can use you to bring encouragement and truth to someone else.

This is certainly a time to come together, but not around the humanistic ideas of popular culture, typlified by the anthem, Imagine, by John Lennon.  I would encourage an alternative:  what about I Can Only Imagine? by MercyMe, a song that instead of offering, "no heaven" and "no religion," offers a stunning look at a Savior who came to bring us into a relationship with Him so that we can experience hope not only in this world but the next, as well.  We can look outside of man's limited capabilities and expand our thinking to seek the hand of God and call out to Him to work mightily, giving wisdom to our leaders and our scientists, and bringing peace in the midst of hopelessness.