“It is for freedom that we have been set free.”
- Paul, the Apostle
Some German college students decided to make their own Adidas long play advertisement. Take a couple of minutes and watch what they created, I promise it will inspire your day.
It is a beautiful picture. Someone imprisoned by their surroundings and the day to day expectations of that life, breaking free. The producers of this add are addressing so many things:
The fear of becoming old and losing our freedom or effectiveness
The sense that we are a slave to our day to day life with no escape
The hope that there is a life beyond the one we know
The desire, despite everything our life tells us to the contrary, that freedom is available
In one of our family’s favorite movies, We Bought a Zoo, a father is giving his son advice. The son loves a girl but believes he has lost his chance to win her heart. From his own life and experience, he tells him what has brought him freedom and life…
“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane
courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery.
And I promise you, something great will come of it.”
I think the guy in Adidas commercial understands that. I am assuming many of you understand that as well. It is rare that I meet someone who has risen to any level of authority that didn’t have to risk, put things on the line, and muster the courage it took to breakthrough.
But, there is a truth far deeper than these German students are referencing. It is something that they are likely completely unaware of. The most profound concept being addressed in their commercial is restoration. The older gentleman is reaching back into his former story. There was a glory that once was part of his life related to strapping on a pair of running shoes. Lining up, stretching out his stride, and breaking free of the pack was a part of his identity.
His twenty seconds of insane courage is awakening original glory.
The reason that the commercial stirs so deeply is that the desire for restoration to what was originally intended is the story of all time. It is the story of our lives. And whether or not we cognitively reference that idea as we watch a commercial, the intended restoration of our lives gets awakened.
There was a beautiful and perfect garden that we were meant to experience. Scriptures tell us that it will be restored and so will we. Jesus said “Behold I make all things new” not, behold I make all new things. Restoration is the major theme of the gospel. It is our heritage, our great hope, and our intended reality.
We all have the right to strap on some Adidas, break free of everything that imprisons us, and find the restoration intended. To reflect the intended glory we were placed here to offer in a way that no other creature can. To show one aspect of the divine’s glory in a way that makes others want to know Him more.
When we break free and live into our intended glory, we permission others to do the same.
Consider
Do you know much about your calling, your purpose? The reason that God put you here on this earth?
Are you aware that there is an intended glory to your life? That restoration was written on your heart?
Can you see how this ad is referencing the major theme of restoration?
Where are you needing to risk twenty seconds of insane courage?