BY HEATHER GOBLE-SORRELLS

At a recent concert, there were heads bobbing to the rhythmic beat of the bass line, hands raised to the heavens, shouts of praises and ‘amens’ filling the venue. The room was packed and the mood was entirely uplifting.

I too had my head bobbing and hands raised. I didn’t care what the people behind me thought of my probably bad dance moves or the thoughts of the people in front of me on my singing abilities. Having attended non-religious concerts in the past, I can safely say that the energy of the artists and fans are equally comparable. There’s no lack of entertainment just because it’s a Christian concert.

As for the fans sitting closest to us, in front of us sat a ‘Larry the Cable Guy’ look-a-like with a camo baseball hat and cowboy boots. He was sitting next to a man with a flat billed hat cocked to the side and baggy clothes. There was every style represented in the house that night. Some were openly praising like it was just them and God, yet others were self-consciously singing quietly. Ages 4-60 were all worshipping God together in one voice.

The main artist of the concert, Toby Mac, very accurately compared the audience to a gumbo pot and says he likes “to get the black, white, brown, Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic all together and hopefully the fragrance of it is sweet to God.”

My ten-year-old was in awe when looking around the concert hall at all the people and asked, “all these people are Christians!?” I began really looking around in wonderment. Sure, it could be assumed that we were all Christians but I just didn’t know. I hoped so and that was a really overwhelmingly cool thought.

It’s possible the people in the audience are always this focused on praising God. But perhaps, and probably more likely, is that this is the most real these Christians are and the most at peace with their Christianity because this was a safe place to worship. We should strive to cut loose and be on fire for Christ 24/7 like we would at a concert.

Maybe the concert experience is what heaven will be like. No lines drawn. Judgments cast aside. Folks from all different walks of life with all different opinions worshipping together. No fear to be totally in love with the God who saves, the Jesus who walked on water, performed miracles, died and rose for us.

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place [1 Chronicles 16:25-27].

 The Friday Spiritual Column is entirely the opinion of this week’s writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Northview Church as a whole.