The Pep Rally

Tis the season for pep rallies! Don't you just love a good pep rally? I do. As a junior high cheerleader, Mary Cate, is preparing for her first pep rally in a couple of weeks. I can't wait! All the elements of a pep rally are intended to fire up the team for a victory. It's kind of a tribal feel. The loud drums, the roaring crowd, the motivational speeches. It's all designed to prepare the warriors for battle.

That's the thing with pep rallies...you only have them because a big game is coming up. You can't just stay at the pep rally forever. You've got to go play the game. In Deuteronomy 1:6 God tells the Israelites to leave the pep rally and get to the game. "The Lord our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.'" You see, the people had gathered at the foot of Mount Horeb while God spoke to them. It was a radical experience with fire, smoke, a lightening show and trumpets. They didn't want it to end but God said, "It's over, people. Leave!"

While God planned this experience to inspire the Israelites, He did not mean for them to stay there forever. God rescued them from Egypt so they could go conquer the Promised Land. God will speak to you in powerful ways at times in order to build your trust in Him. He will allow you to have amazing experiences of worship, teaching and fellowship. The purpose of these awesome encounters with God is to prepare you for His calling in your life.

It's great to get fired up but what will you do with that energy? The only way to get a victory is to face your opponent. What is God calling you to do once the cheering dies down? It's tempting to stay at the pep rally. Who wants it to end? But at some point we've got to leave and get to the game. The battle awaits!