Celebrate: You are Invited!

Celebrate: You are Invited!

(from our church's monthly newsletter)

“But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found.” Luke 15:32

Our young people were gathered in the parking lot preparing to leave together for Youth Convention. I like to meet with them and pray for the group before they leave. After praying that they would all have a fresh encounter with God, meet new friends and be kept safe as they traveled, their leader explained the rules.

They were the usual list: “No smoking, no electronic media in the meetings, only Christian music would be played, and no public displays of affection.” We can get so used to our rote catalog of do’s and don’ts that we may forget to explain why. So, after the rules reminder, I told the group, “The reason for these is that this day and a half are committed to focusing on God. So, we ask that you abide by these things to help you do that.”

A freshman girl piped up (as freshman girls often do), and said, “Ok. Can we have a party?” Immediately my heart said, “Why not?” My mouth said, “Well, yes, a God-party would be just fine,” not sure she would abide by my theological assumptions of what a simple “party” might look like.

I’m glad she asked because I wonder why it is that our gatherings often look nothing like a party. Yet, if we think about it, as followers of Jesus we have everything to party about. We avoid “partying” because of the negative connotation connected to the word. We cannot conceive of a party without alcohol and maybe even inappropriate actions going on.

But what if we are meant to party? What if God wants us to have a good time? And, what if the “good time” God provides for us is better expressed without the aid of alcohol or other badly chosen helps? What if, when God’s people gathered on Sunday morning, it resembled a party more than a funeral, or college lecture class with a couple of sing-alongs to start out?

In the story of the Prodigal Son, the Father represents Father-God. His son has taken everything, his whole inheritance, before Dad ever passes away. He spends it “partying”, but in the inappropriate fashion we are used to. He drinks and buys drinks, perhaps enjoying the company of one woman after another. All the Bible says is that he “wasted all his money in wild living.” I suppose we can use our imaginations to fill in the details.

He runs out of money and hires on with a pig farmer. Starving, he even contemplates eating the pig feed. Long story short, he reasons that the lowest servant at his father’s house does better than he is doing right now. He will go, confess, and ask to be hired at starting wage.

The father will have none of it. I don’t mean have none of the “confession”; he will have none of the “starting wage” business. “You are lost, and now found; dead, and now alive. It’s time to celebrate.”

The dad goes out to find big brother so he can join the festivities. Always doing his best for dad, he is on the job either planting, watering, or harvesting; anything to prove how valuable he is as a son. He is angry that “other son” who wasted Dad’s money on prostitutes now gets a party!

It makes me think of how many people won’t join the party even today. I know it is not all about Sunday morning attendance, but it’s a good place to start! “I don’t like the way the music sounds, I just can’t attend.” “If you had a better nursery I would be there.” “If you had a children’s church” “I don’t come because you have a children’s church.” “I don’t come because you only have an organ for music.” “I don’t come because no one plays the organ”. What a bunch of silly, lame excuses when God calls us to come to the party!

YOU ARE INVITED! It’s time to get rid of our grumpy Christianity and start doing what Father God says: “You should be glad and celebrate!” Have you missed the party too often? Then go smile with a group of Christians this week.

What would you say if God knocked on your door and said, “Why didn’t you come to my party?” What reason would suffice? Come, let’s celebrate! Two weeks ago a whole family came to Christ in Morning Worship. Last week people struggling with addictions found a home. Whether on Sunday morning or at one of our small groups, you will ALWAYS find a reason to celebrate!