Excitement About What?

Many of us begin a faith walk after having experienced some kind of earth-shaking insight, while others discover a path to regeneration from a somewhat more subtle recognition of timeless truth.

But irrespective of one's initial motivation toward faith in Christ, a common thread is that a faith journey can lead to some unexpected turns. Each passing day brings a new set of challenges, forcing us to reassess our core beliefs and update our prior assumptions about how we relate to God.

Many modern-day expressions of faith include an emphasis on celebration and excitement toward the things of God. For some, this emphasis leads to some discomfort, particularly for those who question whether certain leaders have chosen these expressions for manipulative purposes.

Nevertheless, many believers are comforted to learn that expressiveness has ancient roots in the community of faith. As one combs through the annals of biblical history, one finds repeated instances of joyfulness and euphoria, particularly in context to circumstances where God's people have overcome major obstacles.

One psalmist writes: “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The “let us” part of that verse indicates that this celebration is not intended to be solitary or hidden. Whatever forms the basis for this joyfulness clearly has a relevance to an entire society; the purpose for this expression includes a shared experience.

Purpose and excitement need not be strangers to one another. Nowhere in scripture does one find any encouragement for God's people to seek out euphoria for euphoria's sake. Instead, celebration is closely linked with victory, whether viewed retrospectively or in its anticipation.

Celebration “seals the deal” for us. Our logical minds process facts, while our hearts affirm meaning. It is one thing to acknowledge the fact that a country has won its own sovereignty from a former colonial ruler; it is quite another to commemorate that event with a fireworks display.

As we enter the gates of the assembly, and the courts of God's sanctuary, leaving out thanksgiving and praise reduces the whole experience into mere ritual. On the other hand, a failure to provide context for this celebration can also result in purposeless ecstasy.

As we reflect on what God has already done, the whole idea of praise becomes embodied with meaning. Even as we consider the harsh realities that surround us, remembering God's goodness begins to fortify us as we consider how personally He has already extended His mercies to us.

In fact, the whole concept of salvation – which is the basis for our faith – is that God has rescued us from the power of an evil that seeks not only to corrupt us, but also to destroy us. It is that context that forms a basis for the highest of all praise and celebration about God's goodness.

That is what we are rejoicing and glad about. Despite our own rebellion and shallow-mindedness, God has made special provision through His only begotten Son to restore us to fellowship with Him.

In His presence, we are bountifully blessed at a level that can only overflow into thanksgiving and praise. As we gather with others who are similarly blessed, this combination can become far too explosive to be subdued into emotionless sentimentality.

And yet, God's perfect order harnesses this energy into righteous results that extend beyond the four walls of any worship setting, toward the real needs of the society where God's people have been placed. The meaning that is affirmed from celebration embodies God's own purpose of extending mercy and redemption to all of creation. That itself is something worth shouting about.