A Party in Your Honor

Imagine you're planning a wonderful surprise party for someone you dearly love. You've made the plans, invited all the guests, and decided on an exquisite menu. You can't wait for the big moment when all the guests yell, "SURPRISE!" and your loved one finally joins in the festivities. You know she'll understand just how cherished and adored she is when she sees everything that's been done in her honor.

Finally, the time for the surprise arrives. All of the guests are waiting in anticipation at the front door. You see your loved one pull into the driveway, and you hear her car engine turn off. As she opens the car door, you see the interior lights come on while she gathers her things. Your heart races as you see her heading up the driveway. Suddenly, she makes an unusual turn and heads to the back door.

You quickly make your way to the back door to redirect her. Your cheerful greeting is met with a halfhearted smile, and your attempts to send her to the front door are brushed aside. She insists she is tired and will look at what you want to show her tomorrow. Only you know that tomorrow the guests will be gone, the leftover food will be stored away, and the party will be over.

How sad for the guest of honor who missed her own surprise party! And how disappointing for the party planner who orchestrated the event.

God must feel the same way when we miss the "surprise parties", the divine appointments, that await us each day. How it must disappoint Him when we don't hear or don't listen to Him redirecting us to the front door. How it must grieve Him when we walk through our lives oblivious of His activity all around us. How it must break His heart when we brush aside something that not only would make us feel special and noticed by God, but would allow us to join Him in making life a little sweeter for others as well.

How many times have we missed our own surprise party?

~ excerpt from Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed by Lysa TerKeurst ~

Ladies, life with Christ is not meant to be BORING and MUNDANE. If that is our experience, then trust me, it ain't Jesus' fault and it doesn't have to be that way!! Beginning Monday, January 25th, come join us for a fresh look at the RADICAL DEVOTION of the apostle Peter. His life with Christ was FAAARRR from boring and mundane!!! Let's walk in his footsteps for a bit and get a taste of what life with Christ is meant to be like FOR US. Let's start experiencing some SURPRISE PARTIES thrown by the King of Kings in our honor!!!