Several years ago, the Christian rock band Newsboys released a song entitled Wherever We Go. I loved the song the first time I heard it. Even today, if it happens to come on the radio, I will turn up the volume and let my head bob to the music.
Throughout the first verse, the lyrics are kind of ridiculous. They sing about bluebirds singing, flowers blooming, bees behaving, and squirrels smiling and waving in the treetops wherever they go. It’s all rather cartoonish, but it does a great job of painting a picture of people who have a strange, we might say supernatural, ability to incite celebration wherever they go. Which, consequently, is exactly what the chorus reveals. They sing…
Hands up, Holler back here
Let’s throw this party in gear
We brought the welcome mat
Wherever we go, that’s where the party’s at
Hands up, holler back now
We don’t claim any know-how
We’re giving God all that
Wherever we go, that’s where the party’s at
Both musically and lyrically, the song communicates an attitude of joy while issuing an invitation for all of creation to join in.
“Wherever we go, that’s where the party’s at!”
The last several days have been incredibly busy for the people of First Baptist Church. On Friday, October 28, more than 40 of us joined together with the wonderful folks at Brown Elementary to help facilitate a Fall Festival. I stood in the background and watched as women, men, and children served hamburgers, hotdogs, and chips. I watched as they helped students play games. The school was filled with music, conversation, and laughter. As I watched, the tagline of this chorus came to mind, “Wherever we go, that’s where the party’s at!”
Just two short days later, on Sunday October 30, we rallied the troops yet again. This time dozens of our families donned costumes and decorated the halls of First Baptist Church for our annual Trunk or Treat event. Several others grilled meat out in the rain, while others still served food in the fellowship hall and kitchen. My best estimate is that more than 75 people served in some capacity that night. And, once again, as I watched costumed children fill the halls of FBC to collect copious amounts of candy and as I listened to the laughter, the words of the song filled my head… “Wherever we go, that’s where the party’s at!”
While the events of the last few days cannot be an everyday occurrence, the servant-hearted posture and the joy-filled spirit should. I can’t help but wonder how different our community would be if the good news of the gospel became the defining feature of the church. And, while I’m extremely proud of my people for their efforts over the last few days, I’m not just talking about our little community at 505 Community Drive. There are dozens of churches in Seymour, Indiana, and the life, love, and joy of the gospel belongs to all of us.
I can’t help but wonder how different our community would be if the good news of the gospel became the defining feature of the church.
The gospel we claim is so much more than truth we believe; it is the foundation for new lives that we are to live. But, not only are we to live it ourselves, we are to share it with everyone else as well. We live the words of Jesus in The Parable of the Banquet in Luke 14:23 and “Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” This goes beyond filling seats on Sunday. It’s about helping people find full and eternal life in the presence of Jesus in the everyday and the ordinary, and on into eternity.
Christians should be the most joyful people in the world. Compassionate grace and selfless service should be a hallmark of our interactions with others bringing about life and joy wherever we go. And, while we may not inspire bluebirds to sing or squirrels to wave, wherever we go should be where the party’s at!
(Special thanks to Deryk Baurle for rallying the troops for the Fall Festival and to the Board of Christian Education for putting things together for Trunk or Treat. You all made the party happen!)
