Cheers

In the 1980's, if you said, "You want to go where everybody knows your name," most television watchers knew you were talking about a tavern in Boston called "Cheers." Every Thursday night on NBC a motley group of broken people gathered at Cheers for a half hour of laughs.

"Cheers" was well scripted and acted for its time. It was unique in style, and more than a little edgy for the day. I think the real appeal of Cheers, however, was the concept of actually having a place where everybody knew your name. Each week the character played by George Wendt would enter the bar and everyone would call his name in unison - "Norm!!" Sam Malone, or Coach, or Diane, or Carla, or Woody, or Rebecca or somebody at the bar would ask Norm an innocent question, and Norm would fire back a witty response. All this would happen while Norm headed to the bar stool that was clearly his. And for at least a little while, this perpetually out-of-work barfly with no discernible goals or direction in life would be somewhere where people recognized him, where they called him by name, and where he belonged.

Most people seek that. Some find it in bars, I guess. Some, though probably not many, experience it on the job. The fortunate ones find it in family. Some find it in activities or shared interests. Some find it in ways that are not healthy or even destructive. Sadly, some never find it at all.

Cheers didn't last. Not much in this world does. For Jesus-followers, I suggest that people aren't necessarily seeking great preaching, glitzy presentations, engaging programs, or even just purposeful involvement. In their heart-of-hearts they just want a place where everyone smiles and shouts "Norm!" when they enter; where everybody knows your name.