The Christian Life = “Ministry Night at the Improv”?

Life is rarely as predictable as we would like it to be.  Challenges and opportunities are thrown at us daily, requiring us to adapt to new realities.  As a Christian, we know our God never changes, nor does the truth of his word.  So how do we apply the truth of God in a world that’s constantly throwing new things in our faces?  I think we need to come to the realization that the Christian life is a lot like  “Ministry Night at the Improv”.

Improv?  Yes!  Have you ever been to a night at the improv?  It’s awesome!  It’s where you have a group of talented comedians act out totally random scenes called out by the audience.  What these people come up with in the moment can be side-splittingly hilarious.  Now, don’t think these people don’t practice!  They may be talented, but they need to be very well versed in how to make people laugh.  They need to practice reacting to the moment, thinking on their feet and then delivering the punch-line.  One of my favorite TV shows of all time is “Whose Line is it Anyway”.   I’ve embedded a few great examples below of some beautiful improvisation.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emFWsUQ49yQ&feature=related]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ByOxXKVhtA&feature=related]

Life in Christ is truly “Ministry Night at the Improv” every day.  Like comedians doing improv, we don’t know what’s coming at us at any given time, but we need to be ready to respond in a way that is shrewd and innocent with a witness of the one true God and his love through Jesus.  We need to deliver the punch line.  These comedians in the clips above have become very comfortable with random things being thrown at them.  They probably have certain jokes that work in multiple situations.  They know what’s fell flat in the past.  They use their environment and the situation to get a laugh.  As Christians we need to do the same with our witness.  Prepare a personal story that brings up the importance of God in your life.  Include your church activities in your daily discussions.  Use what’s going on around you and your common experiences to bring up spiritual matters.  Care for people, even when everyone else has stopped caring.  Be aware of what kinds of communication actually communicates and get good at that.  Be ready, because any moment can bring your opportunity.  The lights are always on.  Improvise.

If more Christians were to see their whole lives like “Ministry Night at the Impov”, we would see the gospel of Jesus Christ shared in more and more settings in ways that are natural and authentic.  No, you probably won’t get the crowd splitting its side in laughter, but, by the power of the Holy Spirit, there may be a party in heaven.