Heart on the floor, American Idol style

I just watched Colton Dixon sing "Everything" by Lifehouse on American Idol, and oh.my.gosh I wanted to reach through the screen to pinch his cheeks and give him the biggest hug.  What a witness!  I also realized in that moment that I have officially arrived as a mother, because my first thought was seriously

His mother must be so proud of him!!!

I'm sure she is.  I mean, seriously.

But in a bigger, broader sense of the moment, I was just really pumped.  I mean, this kid is 21 years old and does he ever have his act together.  Holy smokes.  I just did the math, and I've got six years on him and yet my palms get sweaty in church when I contemplate whether or not I should raise my hands up in worship while singing.  Yep.  It's true.  

And then I see this kid, totally transparent and vulnerable, standing in front of a crowd of screaming fans, performing in front of three iconic 'judges' who will be critiquing his every move, having his performance broadcast all over the country to an untold number of fans....and I can't help but think wow, he just gets it.  It's not about him.  He was singing to God.  He was responding in obedience, out of love.  He ended his performance on his knees, voice almost a whisper, heart on the floor...giving all he's got in worship to his Savior.

Love it.

Being a transparent witness is haaaard.  It requires a whole dang lot of pure, hold-nothing-back courage.  Courage to stand on that stage and just be real.   Courage to let your palms sweat, to let your knees knock and your voice shake.....because it's worth the risk.  

It's hard because that kind of faith just isn't popular.  It makes people uncomfortable.  But dang, isn't that the point?  When God told us to pick up our crosses and follow Him, he wasn't talking about some little flimsy floaty ring for the pool.  This world is full of hard stuff.   Walking through this life in step with our Savior is hard work.  And those crosses we're lugging around?  They're heavvvy.  They're definitely uncomfortable.    

But the burden isn't ours to bear alone.  We get to drop them at the foot of the cross.  The weary trudge through this life is worth it, because the reward is eternity.  And so every step out in faith, every time you boldly declare the grace of God, is an opportunity to use your life and your story as a witness for Him. 

Having a relationship with Jesus is not about having something to believe in.  It's about falling in love and not being afraid to show it.  Because when you love somebody, when you really love them, you are just busting to tell somebody.  To shout it from the rooftops.

So tonight, I was pumped by Colton's example.  Because I want to spend each day just bursting with enthusiasm for the love I've come to know from my Savior.  And I want to end each day, breathless and spent, kneeling on the edge of the stage before my Lord, hands raised and head bowed.... giving all I've got out of love for the God I serve