Offering Hope – Sharing Jesus

We have come to the time of the year where it's State of Origin in rugby league.  It's state on state and mate on mate or so the advertising would tell us.  At least for those of who live in NSW and Queensland these games loom large on many people's calendar.  The games also generate interest among people in other states and even overseas.

The games themselves are pretty brutal and in their own way, entertaining.  People watching in the stands yell and scream, jump up, fling their arms in the air, dance when things go their way, cry when they don't.  We see a whole gamut of emotions.  In homes things are only a little quieter, there is yelling at the TV, jumping on the lounge, some run at the TV, we fling our arms in the air and celebrate freely when our team wins.

The interesting thing is each year I think about the State of Origin games and the responses of people, I realise what we do with these games is worship.  We worship either the team or one or more of the players.  These become heroes or even idols.  And each year I wonder what it takes for the church to worship God so freely and passionately.

Why is it that a game can bring out such emotion yet the God who we are called to worship causes us restraint?  There are many Hebrew words for praise that are demonstrated when State of Origin comes each year.  My encouragement for you is to think about how you praise and worship the living God.  Maybe it's time to bring some of this excitement and expression into your time with God.

Enjoy pondering these things.

Blessings
Grant