I Think God Appreciates The Flash Mob

Recently my Zumba class orchestrated two separate flash mobs at well known public spots here in town. Our first one was at Harborwalk near the Emerald Grande in Destin. Last night we did our second one at Destin Commons in front of the movie theater as folks lined up to get their tickets for 'Harry Potter'. (That's me all the way to the right!)  Both were a great success and a whole lot of fun! For those of you who might not know, a flash mob is where people pretend to be regular bystanders at a public place, mingling, doing their own thing and then suddenly come together in unison to perform some type of dance number. Ours were Zumba routines; we all wore pink zumba shirts that were revealed at the beginning of the number and black pants. It usually attracts quite a crowd of onlookers once they figure out exactly what is happening.
I started thinking about the whole concept of the flash mob. Why are these so popular right now? In a world that pretty much affirms that what is right for you is personal truth, there is obviously something inside all of us that appreciates unity. Unity is the appeal of the flash mob: a bunch of disorganized individuals come together and in unison create something amazing that everyone will want to watch.
As usual, this revelation is so appropriately timed to spiritual events in my own life. I think we all struggle with how God's will is orchestrated in individual lives especially as it relates our free will to choose. This might be a little poetic license but in some ways it is not unlike a flash mob, spiritually speaking, and there is a part of our souls that crave that type of unity. Each participant has the abilities and the choice whether to participate in God's grand production. You can't force it either. Just like the popular T.V. commercial about flash mobs reveals, timing is everything. If one of the participants tries to play their part at the wrong time, it doesn't accomplish the same effect as everyone in unison and in the end you look foolish. When God has something planned or willed for your life, he will bring all the right components of that event together at just the right time to accomplish that specific purpose. You will know it was God who did it because only he will be able to orchestrate all the seemingly disorganized components; it won't be able to happen under your own power, abilities, or efforts. That is how he is sure to get the credit.  It is not uncommon that you will get a glimpse beforehand of what it is going to look like; faith is knowing to wait on God's timing and not force it to ours, because the end result is better that way.
Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity....for there the Lord bestows his blessing.
I am seeing this type of heavenly choreography at work in two distinct sets of circumstances; one is in my life and the other is my best friend's.  Over the past few years at times I would talk to my husband about selling our home in Niceville. He was very resistant to it and therefore the answer was no. Because of my work situation, now I am never there. Because I am not there, my husband and sons have chosen to spend a lot of their time at the beach house with me. This has actually proven to be a blessing. Because we spend our time in 700 square feet instead of being spread out among 3000 sq ft, our family has grown so much closer over the last 6 months. My marriage is stronger than it has ever been and the lesson of the importance of family/being a supportive husband has been stressed for my sons. Greg and I have been praying together for God's will to be revealed for our family; we don't know exactly what that will be but we have told him that we trust in him, not in a particular outcome, and will follow his leading. Last week my husband came to the belief we should sell our home in Niceville; it doesn't make sense to pay all that we do on a monthly basis and not be there at all. Our plan will be to live at the beach house for a while, saving money and paying our debts, and wait until God's plan is fully revealed. It has been amazing to me to see how God will bring things into unity at the right time. If God wills something for your family, he will bring everyone in unison to accomplish it. You don't have to convince or nag your husband; God will work on his heart to where he believes it is the right thing to do. Greg himself recently said, "It's amazing how the Lord works things out!" Amen.
I have seen this same thing happen in my best friend's marriage. She believes God has placed a goal for their family in her heart. She is so excited for the possibility that she began researching, questioning and planning in her mind. The key thing though is that for this type of family event, everyone has to be unified in both agreement and acceptance. Her temptation would be to try to influence her husband; she has learned this is not necessary. God is already at work in bringing him toward thinking that event is a good idea. Even her very young child has revealed a unified spirit saying things that only the Holy Spirit could have placed in his little heart!
The bottom line is that our souls crave unity. Why? Because ultimately we crave to be at peace with our creator and to know his plan for our lives. Everyone needs purpose for their existence. It is in unity with God (the divine choreographer)  that our purpose is revealed (Read that one again! and chew on it.) and as the psalm stated, therein lies the blessing.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be as one as we are one- I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:22-24)