Anticipation
As a child I would have to say that the toughest night to sleep was Christmas Eve! Do you remember that? You could not get up at 7:00 for school…or even 8:30 for church…but on Christmas morning you could somehow manage to be ready for action between 5-6!!!
Why is this? Simple—anticipation!
I think about things that we are excited about—graduation, starting a new job…honeymoon night! (That’s right—I said it! And don’t even try to pretend that you were not excited about honeymoon night. And please don’t even try to come off as “holy” and say, “I can’t believe a pastor would say such a thing!” Get over it—GOD designed sex—it was His idea (thank you Jesus)! BUT He designed it to be between one man, one woman, in the bonds of marriage…and there is no other alternative plan. My advice…before marriage it’s hands off! (That’s Biblical!) After marriage, buy some Gatorade and multi-vitamins; put it into 5th gear—and make up for lost time!!! (That’s Biblical as well—for further reading I would like to point you to the Song of Solomon!)
Some of you might be saying, “I have never heard a pastor say such things.” Well—maybe you’ve never had a happy pastor! :-)
Back to my story…what was I talking about?
Oh yeah—anticipation!
When we anticipate something BIG is going to happen—whether it’s Christmas Eve or the honeymoon—we can’t stop talking about it. Speak with any child in December and what do they talk about the most? You guessed it—what Santa is bringing! Speak to any couple before the marriage (especially the guy) and what do they talk about the most? You guessed it—the honeymoon! All this has to do with anticipation.
I have said all of that to say this…
#1 - It is my passion as the pastor of New Spring to always create a sense of anticipation at our church. If you are a pastor or staff member of another church and are reading this…my challenge to you is create anticipation. Do something on a Sunday that causes people to look forward to the following Sunday & want to invite others to join them for an incredible experience. We do this through announcements, videos, and a host of other things. Actually, the creativity team I serve with usually comes up with amazing ideas that facilitate this excitement. (I highly recommend team preparation!)
#2 - I am REALLY looking forward to this Sunday! I am anticipating God doing something awesome and amazing…and not because I am speaking—BUT because I really feel that He is going to speak to a lot of hearts—and a lot of people’s lives will be changed. I seriously feel like a kid at Christmas—in fact, I didn’t really sleep that well last night just thinking about all that could take place. (Pray for my rest this week—especially Saturday night!)
As we said Sunday…if you are a New Spring member or attender…please make plans to be there EARLY this week…you don’t want to miss one single minute—AND I promise that if you will bring your friends and family members that are lost and/or unchurched that we are going to do our best to package the most creative, relevant, and excellent worship experience that they have ever seen.
I am so pumped! Keep me in your prayers this week that I will be completely sensitive to the Holy Spirit in my preparation!
A few questions before I go…what is it that you look the most forward to? What is it that excites you the most? What is it that you find yourself talking to your friends about the most? If you really want to live—then let me make a suggestion. About two months ago I began to ask God to make His passions my passions…and my outlook on a lot of stuff has changed. When you get His mind & heart inside your mind & heart things will change—and you will begin to anticipate things that really do make a difference!