Articles
Excitement
Tickets for the new Star Wars movie went on sale today. My Facebook feed is exploding with excitement and countless numbers of my friends have already purchased their tickets. This means they have purchased their tickets with enthusiasm fifty-eight days in advance. They purchased these tickets to guarantee they would be one of the first to see this long-anticipated movie.
Several websites selling these coveted tickets crashed because of the high demand. Tickets already are selling on eBay. Make sure you understand the intensity of these moviegoers. Tickets are readily available. These eBay sales are for those who want to go to the first showing that has sold out. These fanatics are paying top dollar to go to the earliest showing instead of waiting just eight hours to go to the second showing.
Such extreme measures show exactly that which excited people are capable. So, I like to imagine people as excited about their worship as they are about their movies. Picture this with me:
Sunday morning begins with people lined up on the sidewalk outside the church building. They’ve clearly been waiting as can be seen by their impatient and enthusiastic faces. It’s a little cold, but all have worn jackets and came prepared to be in the elements for a while. When a deacon shows up with a key to the church building, the sound of clapping and small sounds of cheer greet him. He opens the door and the crowd rushes in. Once inside, the crowds rush to their seats, remove their coats, and start conversing excitedly about the worship that is to come.
Everyone is talking at once. As each Christian gets their bulletin and sermon notes, they start theorizing about what Terry will preach about today. The sermon titles are great clues, but people start guessing answers for the blanks and discussing how many incredible directions Terry might go with God’s Word during the sermon.
The song leader approaches the pulpit and a hush falls over the room. The title slide of the first song appears on the screen and many in the room nod appreciatively with excitement. The leader barely gets the first note started before the whole congregation overpowers him with heartfelt worship. The worship continues with zeal as several songs are sung, prayers are prayed, and sermons are delivered. Eyes well with tears during the Supper. “Amens” are shouted as the Word of God touches each heart. By the end of worship, all are exhausted from pouring themselves out to God and opening themselves to one another. What an exciting time of worship and fellowship!
We are an excitable creation. We know how to be zealous for that which we love. May we all see the value in giving all of our enthusiasm and zeal to our God and one another.
