Invisible Hands

and an interview with the one and only Anderson Cooper.



I learned a new word while in New York this week. 

Synchronicity. 

It's the experience of two or more events that are unrelated but happen together so that it makes someone wonder... was that more than coincidence?  The media woman in New York who described it said that it's like seeing two invisible hands guide your life along in meaningful ways.

The same woman also gave excellent advice: (As journalists...) Don't miss the obvious.
The very obvious is that those two invisible hands are God's -- strong and capable -- directing my life like an orchestra director.

So it was no surprise to me that God was evidently working through me to proclaim his name in New York. The timing of every thing leading up to my week in the city was perfect, and I was able to experience one of the most amazing weeks of my life.

I flew to New York with 20 other broadcast news students and our professor on Sunday. Dr. Swan had planned a week packed with exciting places and people, and one of those happened to be ABC's "Anderson" -- Anderson Cooper's daytime talk show.

We walked in to the studio ((which is the most stunning TV studio I've ever seen)) and took our seats a few rows from the stage where the guests sit.  Then the floor manager told the audience that Anderson's show would revolve around abstinence and purity balls.  If you watched the show ((which aired yesterday)), I'm sure you felt the tension jumping from the TV screen between the audience and the featured guests.  It was even more heated during the taping.  Everyone had a different opinion about the value of abstinence and what "purity" means. 

I was a minority, and so were some of my girlfriends sitting with me.

Then someone said it: "Waiting until you're married is unrealistic."  She went on to say that people are setting themselves up for failure if they try.  Abstinence is outdated, their standards are too high, etc.

At that moment I was overwhelmed by God and his nudging to stand up ((literally)) for what I believed.  So my hand shot up in the air, Anderson came right over, and I stood up to share my story with him.  The fact is, everyone has an opinion.  But I wanted people to know that it can be done.  And only with God's grace is it 100% rewarding.

((click the pink link to watch the interview))
Interview with Anderson

The point is that you can do anything through Christ who strengthens you.  I didn't stand up to boast about "unrealistic feats."  I stood up to tell the country that people will support you if you choose the path least followed.  It's OK to be a minority.  It's even better if you can talk about what you believe with conviction and a brave heart.  If you listen to the video closely, not many people are applauding what I'm saying.  I'm certain 99% of the people disagreed.  But remember, even if only a handful are nodding their heads behind you ((Brooke Fraser, you crack me up!)), every one is listening.

It's also so important to be sensitive to how God is directing you.  What are the chances that Anderson Cooper would be talking about abstinence the week I'm in New York, the day I'm an audience member? What are the chances that I would be able to share our 6-year testimony on national television with a journalist I admire and respect?  What are the chances that we would be engaged at this point, making our testimony even stronger and our story more compelling to hear?

Synchronicity?  Maybe.
Coincidence? I don't think so.

Remember... be brave.