Have you ever recorded your team’s sporting event only to have a well-meaning chatterbox reveal who won? There is a marked difference in how we watch a game when we already know our team has won. Sure, we’re interested in the big plays and the color commentary, but our pulse remains steady. There is no clapping, cheering, or jumping out of our seats since the winner has already been determined. Inwardly, we rejoice in the victory, but our outward passion gets sprinkled with quiet complacency.
When we allow Jesus to call our plays, the score may fluctuate, but all our games eventually fall into the win column. Faith in Jesus makes us all victorious overcomers. He has freed us from the penalty and power of sin and purchased our ticket for a seat at the Master’s table, where evil will not be allowed. Even though we know we have already won the game, we have more than enough reasons for our outward passion to remain red-hot!
We do not have to score a touchdown, swish the net, or hit a home run to prove ourselves. We can come as we are and let the Spirit work in and through us. Some moments require more sweat than we’re used to; some demand a rhythmic, routine follow-through. Other moments call for raising our hands high and swinging for the fence. We all have those times when we must humbly take a timeout, trust the Play-Caller, and wait for our moment to accelerate. No matter the contest, we win.
Paul said it best, “Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him.” (Romans 12:11 TPT) So how do we keep our passion boiling hot? We keep our eyes open for reasons to praise God for what He’s already done, what He’s doing now, and what He’s about to do.
I want to offer you a challenge. Every day this week, discover five things you are thankful for – things you may not have noticed before. Get creative. Then, on Sunday morning during your worship service, close your eyes and think of them. Get a clear picture of Jesus in your head and concentrate on the words you sing. Sing them to Him with your eyes closed. Even if you are not a hand-raiser, you’ll be tempted to lift them when you see Jesus smiling back at you.
As prayers are lifted, imagine Jesus emptying your hands of things you don’t need and replacing them with what you do. Take a deep breath, breathe slowly, and allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with fresh air.
Worship is meant to be an interactive experience between you and God. Having brothers and sisters passionately joining in is an encouraging bonus. If your hands happen to go up and someone questions you, ask them how they react when their team wins. Encourage them to close their eyes during worship, picture Jesus, and feel what happens. Our responses may vary, but they should all be heartfelt. After all, we are all rounding third and headed for home. Even though we know we have already won the victory, we look forward to meeting Jesus there. There will be no complacency, only a glorious celebration like none other! It’s been recorded!
“There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy, he raised it up, placed it on his shoulders, and carried it back with cheerful delight! Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbors together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home.’ Jesus continued, “In the same way, there will be a GLORIOUS CELEBRATION in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold—more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away.” (Luke 15:4-7 TPT, emphasis mine)
