Being Viral Witnesses...

It used to be that the term "viral" had something to do with an ultra-microscopic (20 to 300 NM in diameter), metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals: composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope. (It still does by the way...)

For this post, however, "viral" refers to those web videos that are viewed by millions of people and that everyone talks about. Let's consider YouTube alone. A few interesting facts:

• Exceeds 2 Billion views per day

• 24 hours of video is uploaded every 60 seconds


• More video will be uploaded in 60 days than all 3 major networks combined created in 60 years.

So with all that video...what makes one go viral? After reading a few articles by pundits and opinion makers, it seems that all viral videos have at least 4 things in common.

First, the content is unique and memorable. Here are a couple of viral video examples that illustrate unique and memorable.

Secondly, the action is natural and not staged. My two favorite examples of natural, not staged viral videos:






Thirdly, the people involved are being themselves. Who can forget these two?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk (this is the link to Susan Boyle...she makes me stand up and applaud!)




Finally, the action looks like something you want to be a part of. This looks like fun to me (and apparently several million other folks...!)

So what's the point?

Be a viral witness to the world for the love of Christ.

The content...Jesus himself...is completely unique. Every encounter with him is memorable.

Make sure your expressions of Christ's love are natural...not staged. Nothing for show. No ulterior motives. Never self-serving.

Be yourself...be real...be who you are...be authentic. No facades. No role playing.

Live out your faith joyfully...boldly...abundantly... Others will want to be a part of that.

One last video...