Mike’s 3 Cents

applause from heaven?

Aug 11, 2010

Something unusual happened this weekend during our Sunday service. If you were there you might be already saying to  yourself, “Yeah, no kidding!” And we might be thinking about the same thing. Was it the musical worship selections? I don’t think so. Was it the cool shirt I was wearing? Definitely not. Was it the worship leader or his prayer? Nope. Was it the lighting? Sound mix? Crowd size and energy? Nope. No. Uh-uh. What was it?  You, like me, might not be able to put your finger on it. I walked out shaking my head [literally], while muttering to myself, ‘What just happened?” I mean, seriously, I can’t remember one time in my 18 (or whatever it is) years of being a pastor that following the message the congregation broke into applause?? Very odd…  Here’s what I think: God moved in you. We took a powerful passage of scripture (John 1), unveiled the powerful truth within in (Jesus alive in us) and set Jesus great commandment center-stage (Go, be Jesus to the world). We put it out there and made a commitment to have that core scriptural truth, that heart of God, that Jesus-reality central to what Vista is and is about – and heaven applauded! Applause erupted in heaven, your soul heard it, and you joined in. I received none of it personally – I was moved with you. To me, God’s affirmation of His word and your acknowledgment meant, “That’s right. We get it. We’re in. Let’s do it!”  This week we’ll try to get practical about incarnational, organic ministry. That should be fun! If you missed last week you might want to catch up by listening to it: How We Role :: Vista’s Distinctives. Consider arriving early to welcome guests, and then sit down front to offer easier seating for them! Then, buckle up, who knows what God’s up to this week…