YOU PASSED!!

Luke 15:5-7 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.  Then He calls his friends and neighbors together and says, "Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep." I tell you in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent. (NIV)

Sometime ago, there was a viral video going around of a father's reaction to his kid telling him he had passed a test at school.  When the father found out that his kid had passed, the father began to shout  in celebration and jump and down in elation.  He was so moved that he began to weep for joy at his son's success.  I'm not sure what struggle had led up to the kid's passing but the dad's elation was such a rich and beautiful moment between a father and son.

I'm not sure if it's because the man was Jewish or if it was because there was a "holy manliness" even in his weeping, but something about the whole moment reminded me of God.
I think that is how God celebrates every time we pass that test the we have repeatedly failed or every time we overcome the addiction...And when we step out and take that huge step faith I think he reacts just like that father did.  He jumps up and down and proclaims "my son, my daughter..you passed!! you passed!! You did it!! I'm so proud of You!!!"

I wonder what would happen if I started looking at trials and tests as a chance to make my Father crazy happy.  Instead of seeing temptation as a negative shameful consequence to be avoided, what if I also saw it as an opportunity to make my Father go crazy celebrating in a spike-a-footbal-touchdown-dance kind of way.  What if I started picturing my Dad in Heaven calling all of the angels over and making them watch His DVR'd recording of my victory over and over again like it was in the ESPN top ten plays of the day segment.

I think God is that way and knowing that makes me want to get it right.  Not because I'm trying to get Him to love me but because I know He loves me and He, more than anyone else, loves to wildly celebrates my victories.