For me, one of those things is Mutton Bustin'. Mutton Bustin', as seen at my hometown's fair, is a sport where toddlers ride sheep...in rodeo-style glory. It's pretty hilarious, fun to watch and a little bit unbelievable all at the same time. Since it started at our local fair, it's the talk of the town...well, that and the chocolate-covered bacon they're serving (no, I'm not kidding!).
It's pretty amazing what people can't stop talking about, isn't it? Celebrities, the latest and greatest infomercial products (like the Shamwow and the Snuggie), sports, vacations, you name it. But in the list of topics that people just have to talk about, how often is God in the mix?
In our culture, it's actually taboo to talk about politics and religion (well, if it's Christianity, anyway--talking about most other religions seems to be more socially acceptable).
That's in stark contrast to the approach of the apostles in today's reading. They couldn't stop talking about Jesus and the miracles they witnessed...even after they were arrested and basically placed on trial in front of influential religious and political leaders. I love what Peter and John said to those leaders here:
"Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you
rather than to God,
you decide.
As for us, there's no question—
we can't keep quiet
about what we've seen and heard."
I LOVE their confidence, conviction and boldness.
I'm not one to necessarily advocate that Christians just start yelling on street corners or in their offices about God. In most cases, I don't think that's appropriate or what these apostles were actually doing. The leaders had told them not to use Jesus' name or talk to anyone about God--and this was simply their response back.
What have you seen and heard? And what's your response to it? Are you content to keep it to yourself? Or are you bursting to tell someone?
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