Have you felt the exhilaration and pure joy of celebration? Have your spirits been lifted to new heights through music? What is it that brings you joy to the point of tears? Have you praised God with that kind of joy?
We shed tears for a variety of reasons. Most often we associate crying with being sad. But we also cry tears of joy and of pride. They are closely related. We can be both proud and joyful at the same time and they can move us to tears.
Perhaps we are both proud and joyful when a child accomplishes a major achievement. It may be a grandchild. The achievements can range from sports championships to music awards, from graduations to job promotions, from marriages to newborns. We have those proud parent moments that are filled with joy and the tears start falling.
The older I get, the more often those moments come. It may be rare that I cry tears of sadness, but let a child achieve something special and I get choked up quickly. I believe that is a tiny bit of insight into how God feels when we do something He wants us to do.
I also have found my spirit lifted to new heights when going to a Christian concert. Music has a way of lifting our spirits. Some songs sung in church will bring tears to my eyes. There is a moving in my spirit that touches me somewhere deep inside. Music often has connections. Some songs remind us of a loved one or a special event.
Our spirits are also lifted when we give praise to God. When we are thankful from deep in our heart for what God has done in our lives, we experience a swelling in our chest. We may even feel a little lightheaded or as though we are floating. Our eyes light up. We have a smile that cannot be contained.
Here is the kicker—God celebrates along with us! He is joyful when He hears us giving Him praise. I imagine Him saying, “_______ gets it. He/she finally understands who I am.” God loves us and loves to hear us give Him thanks for all His blessings.
I pray we all praise God for His blessings. I pray we sing praises to Him with a lifted spirit. I pray each one of us give God the thanks He deserves and longs from us. Praise God. Give Him thanks. Be joyful in spirit. Be lifted to new heights. Know that God is smiling on you.
Psalm 18:46
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Savior!
Marty Pressey 