Full or almost full?
If you've not yet seen the video of Candace Payne finding utter delight in the Chewbacca mask she purchased, you've probably been out camping and away from electronic devises. The video, which has now been seen more than 114 million times through a variety of websites, shows Candace, laughing until tears stream down her face, as she sees herself and enjoys a silly moment. She's now making the rounds of TV shows, as her instant fame has thrust her into a spotlight no one could have ever imagined.
So what is it exactingly that has captivated millions of people, causing them to watch the video time and again? Candace gave an interesting answer as she was interviewed on Good Morning America: "I think the world, as a whole, is in need of a good laugh." I think that's partly true, but I would add that there is something pure and refreshing in watching someone who is full of joy.
In a world that is so clouded by pain, we don't often take the time to celebrate life alongside a stranger, let alone those in our circle of influence. While the old adage "bad news sells" may be true, I think the people have clearly spoken that we are desperate to experience (even vicariously) what being full of joy might feel like.
On a related note, as I drove into work this morning, the nearly full moon played peek-a-boo through marvelous pink clouds. It reminded me once again of the choice we have to be fully reflective of the love and joy of God, or allow the worries of life to cast a shadow. This moon, while still spectacular, had been full two days ago and was showing signs of a diminishing fullness.
How often are we like the moon? Designed to reflect the Son, there are times when we are full, but that fullness lasts only for a moment. The rest of the time, we wax and wane. Truthfully, there are days when only a crescent is visible. While the natural moon phases are part of God's design, our personal lack of fullness is a direct result of what we allow to cloud our reflective quality. Stress, worry, doubt, self focus and fear all cast a dark shadow. Not only do they inhibit our personal lives, they also prevent us from fully shining the light of God's goodness to others.
While I have no idea if Candace is a Christian, I have good reason to use her as an example of the power that one individual holds in bringing joy to countless others. What if we, as believers in Christ, exhibited the same type of effervescent exuberance to the world? Rather than walking through life with only a tiny slit of light showing through, consider the effect of letting your (His) light shine boldly and fully!
I'm often guilty of being that crescent, and sometimes even walk through my days in full eclipse. Through four minutes of utter silliness, Candace has inadvertently challenged me to do better. There will continue to be times of real pain and heartache in my life, and I don't want to put on a mask to hide it. However, while not always tangible, I know it is possible to still experience the fullness of God's goodness even when walking through dark seasons. If you are anything like me, you sometimes need a audible reminder. So for all of us, we can get it here.