God likes a good party.
Hollywood likes “to party.” All the major award events – Grammy’s, Emmy’s Golden Globe’s, and the granddaddy of them all, the Oscar’s are all followed by huge multiple extravaganzas. This year we were invited to the 2014 Oscar Shorts Awards and Gala in Beverly Hills. At the event that night, there were two perfectly chiseled body dancers scantily clothed in gold lame tights fully painted in gold lacquer who walked around so you could take your picture with a human Oscar. Then later that night, they both performed this elaborate dance of contorted body positions that I never knew a person’s torso could make! Most of us watching were wincing and squirming inside. These events can be… well… let’s just say… interesting? Jesus liked to party too. His 1st miracle was at a wedding party, the prodigal son parable ended with a feast – a party, and in Mark 14:25, Jesus says “Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” That tells me I think we’ll get to party in heaven. Maybe I’ll get to wear that expensive designer gown on my perfectly chiseled body! Let’s stop thinking that Christian events have to be serious and formal – stuffy banquets with food served perfectly plated. Let’s get creative, let the music play, and let’s have some fun and lighten up at our fundraising events. I like food stations, photo booths, and programs that require the attendees to not just sit all night but interact and become part of the event.
God wants us to have fun when we pray as well. Maybe we should start calling prayer meetings, prayer parties instead. More people might actually show up. Karen Covell, founder of the Hollywood Prayer Network, says, “I LOVE to laugh and have a great time with my faith. Jim, (her husband) and I laugh all the time, we get very silly in prayer and always have – especially with our boys, and we made prayer time a really fun and creative time. Our house is full of bad jokes, laughter, teasing, and fun. In fact, it’s an important aspect of my faith. The world gets too intense if we don’t laugh, play and have fun!”
What do you say, let’s have some fun – let’s have a God party!
