Pastor’s Corner: “Excitable!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) 7 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
I rarely watch daytime television, but the other day I happened to come upon the show “The Price is Right” and it brought back a flood of memories. I remember watching this show with my mom when I was a little boy. Seeing it again for the first time in a long time, it made me wonder if excessive amounts of caffeine are required before the show begins to induce the level of excitement (screaming and jumping around) exhibited by the audience—and especially the contestants. One woman even looked as if she might hyperventilate.
But as I watched, I thought to myself, as Christians what if we started our days with even just an ounce of that energy? Not the jumping around and screaming so much, but the enthusiasm to see what might happen. Is it possible to lose our passion and excitement for Jesus as we live out our faith? Absolutely, as a matter of fact we need to be on the lookout for complacency, luke-warmness or hardened hearts. At times our fear, anxiety, pain and struggles can result in our spirit losing enthusiasm about who God is and the life He’s provided for us.
What if the Good News You have been forgiven! stirred the same excitement as You could win a brand new car! “New” is an exciting word when it’s attached to things like cars, clothes, a house, or gadgets. We all like new things and want new things. But when it comes to the weightier matters of life, “new” is a scary word. Embracing something new on this front means change. It’s a break from the comfort of the status quo, or the way we’ve always done things. “New” ushers us into the unknown and unfamiliar, and we’re not sure what to expect and excitement is the farthest thing from our mind.
It’s hard for us to change, to let go of all that is familiar and comfortable. We resist with all our strength and might. This is just part of our human nature. That was the Israelites attitude after they gained their “New” freedom. They wanted to go back to what was familiar. But they couldn’t. Their only option was to move forward to the land God had promised them, but their fear of the unknown turned their eyes back to Egypt, back to slavery. That’s why the gospel can be a frightening proposition.
Spiritual birth ushers us into the new whether we are ready or not. A new life (Romans 6:4) – A new identity (John 1:12) – A new self (Ephesians 4:24) – A new heart (Ezekiel 36:26) – A new covenant (Hebrews 9:15) – A new command (John :34) – A new way (Romans 7:6). Like the Israelites, you may look back to your old life, especially when you feel down, in pain or when you are going through a tough circumstance. At those times, Satan will do his best to make you think your old life was pretty good. But don’t be fooled, be excited for what God has for you. It is time to let go of the old, to stop looking back, to embrace the new and get excited about Jesus! Philippians 4:4-5 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near”
Excitement is contagious. When Christians who are afflicted and in the midst of struggles can get excited about their Lord and Savior–when they can show their joy in the Lord despite all of their problems and challenges–that is a powerful testimony to the world. When someone who has no reason to be overjoyed about anything, yet is excited about Jesus, that gets people interested in what this faith thing is all about. When someone can still smile when talking about Jesus and His goodness, this gets people interested in following this Jesus.
Get excited about Jesus today and let that excitement be contagious to those around you. It is a powerful testimony that can get others interested in your Jesus. Perhaps He will then become their Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord, fill us with Your joy, and let us never lose our excitement about Your Salvation. Let us always rejoice about our wonderful redemption! In Jesus’ name – Amen!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton