Bill Gaither (“bless”) wrote a chorus that begins, “Get all excited, go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King.” I doubt it’s on most young adults’ playlists, because 1) it’s Bill Gaither, and 2) the lyrics aren’t vague enough. They’re not poetic, intellectual or obtuse. They don’t reference political creeds or controversial icons. They don’t involve reflection on a bad childhood, personal failure or cultural malaise, nor do they shake their fist at The Man. And I’m pretty sure Bill doesn’t sing them in skinny jeans and a fitted tee.
Bill is basically telling us to get excited about Jesus.
In this week’s e-newsletter, due out later today (subscribe here), I talk about week one of the Beth Moore study I’m starting with some girls from church. Imagine the reactions on the faces of a room full of Presbyterian girls when Beth started talking (and occasionally shouting) via video during our lesson.
Maybe we were a bit offended. Does she have to get that worked up? It’s kinda embarrassing, ya know? I mean, we know Jesus. We love Jesus. We know all kinds of stuff about grace. We can dissect TULIP for anyone interested. We know Luther from Calvin from Knox.
But when Beth shouted “Hallelujah!” onscreen, I did too. Because I never want to forget what it feels like to get excited about Jesus. I never want my salvation to become “normal” to me. I never want my friends to think my relationship with Christ is something I “manage.” I don’t want to be merely “sensible” when I talk about the Cross.
I want my faith to consume me. To transform me. To make me giddy, quite frankly. How are people going to ask me about “the reason for the hope I have” (1 Peter 3:15) if they can’t tell I have it?
I think it’s high time we get a little crazy for Christ. I for one am going to drop the pseudo-intellectualism and start living my faith a bit more boldly.
Not haphazardly, mind you. There’s still plenty of room for study, doctrine, restraint and an application of wisdom in all things. But I’m not going to be ashamed of my love for Jesus. And I won’t be afraid to acknowledge that without Him, my life is both generally and specifically lame.
How about you? Are you holding back? If so, what do you need to do differently?
“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 95:1)
