Apple, U2, and Jesus
Last week, in the midst of the shiny new iPhones and AppleWatches, Apple did something unusual. They gifted the new U2 album to every single person who has an iTunes account. Didn't ask. They just dropped it into everyone's account, free of charge. And people responded...with anger. Yeah, that's right. Free music = anger. What?
Some said it was an "invasion of privacy" that the U2 album just showed up in their iTunes library. Others complained that it downloaded without them doing anything (this would be because they have "automatic downloads" turned on, an option that can be turned off). Still others wondered why Apple thought they would even want U2's album. (Now there are several posts online telling people how to remove it from their library.)
Um...it was an act of gifting, kindness. And it certainly didn't hurt that it helped promote both iTunes and U2.
Now, I'm not a huge U2 fan, though I do enjoy some of their music. Their new project is not one I would have sought out or probably purchased, though I am enjoying the free music. It just amazes me, though, that people react with such anger, hatred and venom toward a free gift. (I mean, really, if you don't want it, just delete it. Why raise such a fuss?)
Centuries ago, a man walking up a hill called Calvary offered a free gift to everyone. It's called "salvation," and it's the longest-playing song in history. It started then and continues now. And it's still free. And yet, while many have gratefully received the gift, others have responded with anger, hate and venom—not only toward the man who offers it, but even toward those who have received it. His followers have been called all sorts of names—ignorant, out of step, on the wrong side of history, and worse. And still he offers the gift.
He longs to "download" the gift into your life, but this is one way Jesus' gift differs from Apple's. You have to receive it. You have to accept it. You have to let this gift become part of your life.
So...will you receive it? It's still free, after all these years.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Some said it was an "invasion of privacy" that the U2 album just showed up in their iTunes library. Others complained that it downloaded without them doing anything (this would be because they have "automatic downloads" turned on, an option that can be turned off). Still others wondered why Apple thought they would even want U2's album. (Now there are several posts online telling people how to remove it from their library.)
Um...it was an act of gifting, kindness. And it certainly didn't hurt that it helped promote both iTunes and U2.
Now, I'm not a huge U2 fan, though I do enjoy some of their music. Their new project is not one I would have sought out or probably purchased, though I am enjoying the free music. It just amazes me, though, that people react with such anger, hatred and venom toward a free gift. (I mean, really, if you don't want it, just delete it. Why raise such a fuss?)
Centuries ago, a man walking up a hill called Calvary offered a free gift to everyone. It's called "salvation," and it's the longest-playing song in history. It started then and continues now. And it's still free. And yet, while many have gratefully received the gift, others have responded with anger, hate and venom—not only toward the man who offers it, but even toward those who have received it. His followers have been called all sorts of names—ignorant, out of step, on the wrong side of history, and worse. And still he offers the gift.
He longs to "download" the gift into your life, but this is one way Jesus' gift differs from Apple's. You have to receive it. You have to accept it. You have to let this gift become part of your life.
So...will you receive it? It's still free, after all these years.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
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