Act 12: #ChocolateTuesday
Stress levels are high in this world. And we're sitting on a solution. The smell of chocolate alone increases theta brain waves, which then trigger relaxation.
So today we really are saying: give chocolate a chance.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)Your thought for today:
The average person in Great Britain eats 16.3 lb of chocolate a year. This is about the same weight as 169 chocolate bars, so it’s pretty safe to say that collectively we’re a nation of chocolate lovers. Chocolate is everywhere, yet in my experience, when used generously, it still has the ability to get a great reaction, sometimes even turning into incredible conversations.
This time last year I found myself walking around Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, handing out chocolate bars to the staff and crew of the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One attempt was met with the reply ‘No, I know you don’t get anything for free.’ There is such a lack of generosity in our society that many have forgotten what it looks like, thinking the worst of others rather than thinking intentions could be genuinely selfless.
With 40acts we’re challenged to do something each day, which is technically pretty easy but practically something which takes us out of our comfort zone and isn’t the norm.
It’s for this reason that it’s so important to live out a lifestyle of generosity – yes surprising others but blessing them in a culture where this isn’t something frequently played out.
In Joshua 1:9, we’re reminded that we’ve been called to play out this kind of lifestyle and that we shouldn’t let fear discourage us. Handing out a chocolate bar to a passer-by could have implications beyond anything we could think, or might simply result in a smile.
What if today we were radically generous with our nation’s favourite treat?
So embrace your inner Willy Wonka and remember that, no matter if you choose green, amber or red, God will be with you in each act of generosity you attempt
Choose how you’ll complete today’s act:
Sling a bar of chocolate into someone’s bag with a note saying ‘#40acts’. Or leave a bar or two in your local library, on a park bench, or on the train.
Hit everyone in your department/road/toddler group with a chocolate bar – or wherever you happen to be going today.
Clear the Easter egg aisle in your local supermarket and get out onto the streets, handing them out early. Or, you could do what some challengers did a few years ago: stand up and announce 'free chocolate' on your commute home.
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