The Party Is Here

Week 4 -Day 24

I remember the tent ministry well. It came to the town where I was a pastor in rural Nevada. I had agreed to help sponsor them for their ten days in our community. I had my concerns, but still said yes.

You see, this was a special "renewal tent" that had wild things happen in it. (I had heard of its reputation!) I had partially experienced some of these types of things; so I was both excited (I wanted more of G*d) and nervous (what if it, or I, got out of control).

When I saw the tent, I saw a flag flying over it saying, "The Party is Here." This phrase troubled me. I was not comfortable with a church ministry saying this. It did not seem right. What would people think?

Well, ten days later my thoughts had changed. We had two meetings a day and I experienced G*d in powerful ways. His presence increased throughout the week. People were responding in different ways. Some shook, some fell under the power of G*d, some laughed uncontrollably, and many were so full of the Spirit that they acted like they were drunk. It truly became a big party. Yes, the party was there and those attending did not want to leave. There was child-like hilarity. There was deep relational bonding. There was a great love for Jesus that infected our lives.

My attitude changed during these meetings. I realized that religious tradition had made me stuffy and unable to cut loose in G*d. I was bound in many ways to a spirit of control and a fear of embarrassment. Since that time, I have concluded that each of us needs Holy Spirit "drinking buddies" who love to frolic in the presence of G*d. Obviously, we cannot do this at every church meeting, but what a blessing to have times to "party" in Jesus where we can laugh and be overwhelmed by His Spirit. Surprisingly, I believe it is part of the new wineskin for the days ahead (Mark 2:22)

Declaration: There was a party when the Prodigal son came home (Luke 15); and, now, I have come home knowing it is proper to party in Jesus now. I am serious about G*d and the kingdom, but I run to the party because it is part of experiencing the full joy that Jesus has for me.