Worship Like You are at the Super Bowl
Once a year, people around the world stop what they are doing for a collective worship service. You may think I am talking about a Christmas Eve or Easter service at an iconic location such as St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican. This year, the seemingly sacred event is being held in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Worship implies an undistracted, passionate and unincumbered attention to a person, object, or event.
There is an intensity and excitement that surrounds most sporting events, but the Super Bowl brings a whole new level of passion. People who don’t normally care about a team or football, take sides, dress in their team’s colors, and pay a ridiculous amount of money to sit in a crowded stadium and cheer from the top of their lungs when the right team scores or jeer when the opposing side has a call in their favor.
David came back from a battle victorious. He sang, danced and paraded like a crazy person in the middle of Jerusalem. He was celebrating before the Lord all that He had done. But there was a price to pay. Michal, David’s wife, was embarrassed of his antics. She berated him and told him how foolish he looked. She was fearful people would not respect her husband any longer.
“And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So, David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
“I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! …””
David put on his team’s clothing. He cheered, danced, and unapologetically celebrated the win along with a multitude of fans of God’s powerful work. The victory over the enemies of Israel.
What if we, as believers, put on our team’s colors, a uniform of sorts and celebrated like we were at the Super Bowl?
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NLT)
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy. Psalm 100:1-2
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3
There is nothing like hearing the roar of the crowd at a football game. I have never been to a Super Bowl, but I have been to a couple of NFL games, lots of college and high school games. The enthusiasm is contagious! We wave our hands, shout for our team, sing fight songs, cheers and chants that we would NEVER do if we were not in a crowd of others who were equally enthusiastic.
How much more should we worship and celebrate together, ALL the Lord has done. Are we too much like Michal, worried about what people will think? Do we fear being undignified or not having good enough deodorant to not offend those in proximity? Are we critical of others like Michal was critical of her husband’s unbridled excitement?
I could answer yes to these questions.
But I want to worship like David. I want to focus on the work of the Lord the way we focus our energy and enthusiasm on a football game, that in an eternal perspective has no value. I want to celebrate The Win like I was at the Super Bowl, and I don’t want to do it alone.
I know it seems like we are suited up for a big game every time we face another challenge. Sometimes we feel like we are getting pummeled like a quarterback getting sacked before he throws the ball. But here is the difference. We already know who wins the big game.
“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Colossians 1:13
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
This is a reason to celebrate! This is a reason to raise our hands in triumph and sing songs that shout “Victory in Jesus.” This is a reason to put in to practice the coaching given to us in Psalm 150.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Do you celebrate the wins in your life? Do they make you want to raise your hands in triumph? What is holding you back? If you don’t have a place to worship, I encourage you to search out a local church where you can put on your armor and sing the battle cry of hope and victory alongside those who are like minded.
Photo by Joshua Hanson on Unsplash
