For those who know me very well, you know my family are all big Alabama fans. Family members graduated from there, and our college days were spent cheering on the Tide every weekend for many years! It was fun to be with a bunch of strangers who had Alabama football in common.
As Christians, we have Jesus in common. We may gather at a church where we are surrounded by strangers, and yet there is a commonality in knowing that we all love and worship Jesus together. And yet, oftentimes we have sacrificed celebration for ceremony.
The Church Often Sacrifices Celebration for Ceremony.
I heard a pastor preach one time on the characteristics of the best fans, correlating how we can be the biggest fans of God. As I looked at his list and Psalm 47, I believe there are some things we can look at and learn from:
The best fans celebrate and cheer their team to victory!
The best fans show up early!
The best fans stay when extra innings or overtime present themselves!
The best fans endure any kind of weather!
The best fans seek to get the best seats in the house!
The best fans never miss a game!
The best fans joyfully, financially give!
Psalm 47 is such a beautiful praise to our great God:
“Go ahead and celebrate! Come on and clap your hands, everyone! Shout to God with the raucous sounds of joy! The Lord God Most High is astonishing, awesome beyond words! He’s the formidable and powerful King over all the earth. He’s the one who conquered the nations before us and placed them all under our feet. He’s marked out our inheritance ahead of time, putting us in the front of the line, honoring Jacob, the one he loves.
(Pause in His presence)
God arises with the earsplitting shout of his people! God goes up with a trumpet blast! Sing and celebrate! Sing some more, celebrate some more! Sing your highest song of praise to our King! For God is the triumphant King; all the powers of the earth are his. So sing your celebration songs of highest praise to the glorious Enlightened One! Our God reigns over every nation. He reigns on his holy throne over all. All the nobles and princes,the loving servants of the God of Abraham,
they all gather to worship. Every warrior’s shield is now lowered as surrendered trophies before this King. He has taken his throne, high and lofty, exalted over all!”
So what would it be like if we approached our worship services like the best fans do?
The best fans celebrate and cheer on to victory! What if we celebrate the overall Victor, better than we do our favorite team?
The best fans show up early! What if we showed up early for worship, preparing our hearts for His presence and/or offering our help in any way?
The best fans stay when extra innings or overtime present themselves! What if we never looked at our watch and just worshipped?
The best fans endure any kind of weather! What if we stayed committed, compassionate, and courageous even when things get difficult?
The best fans seek to get the best seats in the house! What if everyone wanted to get as close as possible….”to the spout where the glory runs out”?!!!
The best fans never miss a game! What if we felt and longed for God’s presence so much that we could never miss what God was doing?
The best fans joyfully give! What if every church family member gave generously to the work of the Lord in their faith family?
So let’s consider and meditate on what kind of fan of God we really are. I know we are more than a fan, we are His child, His Bride. But just in this context, how are we doing? If asked, what would others say you are the biggest fan of? What if we made it a goal to have others answer, “She’s the biggest fan of God I know.”
I used to say this all the time and I may need to get back to it: every time something amazing and miraculous happens or prayer is answered, I would say, “GO GOD!!!”
Let’s start celebrating God to the same degree that He is worthy of!!! GO GOD!