May 22, 2025 Devo

I am a die-hard Oklahoma City Thunder fan. That’s our local NBA basketball team for those of you who may not follow basketball. My office is full of rugs, pictures, cups, posters, and other items bearing the images of the team logo and various players. Even the ringtone on my phone is the song “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons! Yes, I have it bad. Whenever I get to attend a game, I yell, scream, clap, and cheer for them. And I boo the unfair referees who always seem to be against them!
What’s funny is that when I watch games at home, I get as excited as I do at the games. Wanda will attest that I yell, scream, clap, cheer, and pace back and forth in front of the TV if the game is close. And, of course, I boo the unfair referees! This past Sunday, when we won a deciding game seven to advance to the next round of the playoffs, I was as exhausted as the players, I think. I’m PASSIONATE about them. Do you have a team you feel that way about?
I’m that way with God, too. God has done SO MUCH for me. When I get in worship, it’s hard for me not to be emotional. When we sing songs about God’s goodness and majesty, I love to lift my hands in honor of Him. When we’re singing songs of praise, I love to clap and move. When we sing songs of His grace, mercy, and love, I often have tears flowing down my face. I can’t help it. God SAVED me. My life could have gone down a completely different path, but He rescued me. He has been so much better to me than I have deserved. And now He gives me the privilege of partnering with Him as He touches lives and does incredible things all around me. When I think of all He has done, I can’t help but be passionate in response to Him.
What has God done for you? What is it about Him that makes your heart sing and your spirit soar? Let your mind dwell for a while on who He is and all that He has given to you. Think about how He loved you when no one else did. Think about how He has saved you, healed you, and led you. Think about where YOUR life would be if God hadn’t rescued you. Then let yourself worship Him this week with all of that gratitude flowing back to Him in unhindered praise. Clap! Shout! Cheer! Sing with all your heart! Let the tears flow down your face because of whose team YOU get to be on! “Our God is AWESOME. He is the Great King of all the earth!” Let’s get ROWDY about that! That’s God’s Word for you today.