“Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 MINUTES:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 MINUTES:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 MINUTES:

A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly..

45 MINUTES:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 HOUR:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

THE QUESTIONS RAISED:

*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*Do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

ONE POSSIBLE CONCLUSION REACHED FROM THIS EXPERIMENT COULD BE THIS:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

HOW MANY OTHER THINGS ARE WE MISSING?

Last night my friend Anthony was baptized. This is his story.

“I grew up in a big family. My Dad was a very broken man and took out his aggression on me from a young age.  I left home as soon as I could and assumed a new identity to separate myself as much as possible from that life.

I had a few jobs and was working as a chef but when I lost that job, I then also lost my girlfriend and my flat.  I was housed in a B&B in Peckham but was forced out of there and ended up homeless. I start sleeping rough for the first time. This was May 2006.  It was terrifying.  I would usually sleep on Bond Street in Westminster.  People would come up to you in the middle of the night and abuse you.  I never got into drink or drugs.  I knew that if I started that I would get into a downward spiral and never get off the streets. You have to stay strong and hold onto hope.

In 2008 I heard about a new drop-in that opened at St. Paul’s, Onslow Square so I went to check it out. It was great. There were lots of really friendly compassionate people who made me feel very welcome. At the time I was not a very nice person and these guys put up with a lot. I used to get in people’s faces and I had a big problem with anger.

Through the drop-in I got some counselling and this helped me a great deal. I also started on the Recovery Course and both of these things helped to get control of my anger and become a much nicer person. I am now able to handle difficult situations much better. The staff at the drop-in helped me re-apply for housing and I have now moved into a flat and finally have my own place for the first time in 5 years!

I know that I have a long way to go but if you could have seen me just a few years ago you wouldn’t have recognised me. I have changed a lot. I have for the first time been able to tell people that the last 30 years has been a lie and to talk to people about who I really am. When you live a lie you are always nervous that it will catch up with you. I don’t have that anymore. I have peace instead.”

My sister changed her 16 year old son’s middle name to ‘Danger’ as a birthday present. Pretty much the coolest thing ever.

Whatever our need, Christ has met it.

Revival looks like this: not the church becoming full of people who live like Christians, but the world becoming full of Christians who live like Jesus.