Amped
“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?”
It’s a happy time to live in Kansas City this Monday. For those of you who aren’t football fans, the Kansas City Chiefs won their way to the Superbowl yesterday, and the city is AMPED. UP. The energy is contagious, and it’s so fun to ride the wave of excitement.
As I read this scripture, I’m coming off the high of a Chiefs win, and I find myself convicted. Jesus compares Himself to a groom and His presence to a wedding. He encourages a time of excitement and abundance and feasting because He is there. He is with them and that alone is cause for rejoicing.
Do I get excited because the Lord is with me?
Do I rejoice over Jesus the way I rejoice over a touchdown? Do I shout to the Lord (as the Psalms instruct) the way that I shout when our defense sacks the other team’s quarterback? Do I sing for joy to Jesus with the same vigor that I sing YMCA in between downs? Do I rejoice over the Bridegroom’s presence with as much ardor as I cheer for a sports team?
This Monday, I’m convicted about the way that I rejoice over the Lord. I’m convicted that my rejoicing over the Lord must be as ardent as any other rejoicing (if not more so). I’m convicted that I need to be energized by His victory and His presence in the same way that I am energized by the city’s joy. I’m convicted that I need to be more AMPED UP over Jesus than I am over a football game. It’s time to be AMPED UP about Him - because He’s still with us just as He was with the disciples. We need to be AMPED because He’s made Himself the Bridegroom and we the bride.
Father,
Thank You for coming! Thank You for giving us so many reasons to rejoice! Thank You for filling us up with joy! Thank You for showing up to love us and to save us.
Father, help us to tap into new levels of gratitude and new levels of awareness of You and Your love and Your provision in our lives. Reveal Yourself and Your hand more clearly than ever before that we would grow in praise and thanksgiving by knowing You more deeply.
God, we love You. Help us to live each day with an excitement to discover You and Your great plans for us! Amen.