Rockfest Day 2 - RockStar

Have you been to a rock concert lately? They are loud, raucous, vibrant, and exuberant affairs. The crazy costumes, make-up, and hairstyles – and I’m just talking about the audience. Gone are they days of the lighter raised in tribute; replaced by the cell phone screen-light raised in tribute. It looks a bit odd but at least it reduces the chances of a fire hazard.

The shows themselves put on by today’s performers are true productions. Clouds of smoke, lasers, risers and platforms, fly systems for flying performers in and out. It’s enough to get you out of your chair and on to your feet. Which is precisely where the band wants you.

I went to a concert recently. When my friend and I got to the show I was so excited because our seats were on the fourth row. I thought “awesome!” we’re going to really be able to see and hear everything from these great seats.

Well, I was sort of right. We did see and hear everything but not while sitting in our seats. The only time we sat down was before the concert began and then three hours later after the show was over – to catch our breath before walking out.

The show itself was terrific. I danced, I sang, I swayed, I raised my arms in praise to the singer and her songs. I high-fived strangers when she began the first chords of her popular tunes. I lost all track of time. I was truly in the moment, or moments, during that show.

I felt free and completely uninhibited there in the dark surrounded by strangers who while dancing and singing with me became friends during our communal reverie. I loved all of it.

And I imagine the singer loved all of it too. Watching her fans from the stage dance and sing her words back to her in loving tribute and adoration.

Which got me to thinking, why is it so easy to dance and sing back in praise to a celebrity but so hard for me to dance and sing back in praise to the One who truly is the Rockstar in my life? I don’t dance and sing that way for God. I don’t shout His name. I don’t hug strangers when the topic of God comes up. But I bet He’d love it if I would.

I can imagine nothing God loving more than to hear my loud, clear voice lifted in praise to Him. To see my arms raised, uninhibited, in the air waving to Him in tribute and love. To see me high-fiving strangers at the mention of His name. To be with me as I lose all track of time because of Him. To watch as I stand on my feet for hours on end due to the sheer joy He is bringing me.

God is my RockStar. He the Rock that shelters me from the storms and protects me from my enemies. He is the Star that guides me through the darkness and that lights my life with joy. And He is the RockStar that brings the beauty and blessings and love into my life.

He is the music that sets my soul to dancing.

Not one thing on this earth sets my heart on fire like God does. There is no singer past or present that sings a song that makes me feel alive like God does. And there is no one in this world that loves me – or you – like God does.

God is giving a concert – whose going to stay in their seat?
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