Moved to Tears

Another Olympics is drawing to a close. Because they only take place every four years I have some kind of amnesia about what happens when I watch. Last week as I watched the women’s gymnasts perform I found myself applauding their performances out loud in our family room and then feeling a sense of triumph when their scores were posted.

             

Then, they stood on the platform as recipients of the gold medal and the strains of the national anthem began to play. I became emotional and my eyes got “moist”. The same thing happened as I watched swimmers perform and win medals for our nation. Why do I react that way?

             

Is it knowing what it means to compete, doing your best, and achieving a goal?

             

Is it having a sense that the U.S. Olympians are “my” team?

             

Is it part of what it means to be an American citizen and having your nation being honored by the world?

             

Yes…yes, to all of them.

             

Apparently there is something that happens during the Olympics that touches a chord deep within me.

             

I have the same thing happen periodically on Sunday mornings. Unpredictable. Unexpected. Seemingly out of nowhere.

             

Last Sunday I sat in the sanctuary as our music leaders rehearsed songs that would be used in worship. I do this frequently on Sunday mornings. It is part of the way I prepare to be in God’s presence. It is my worship before worship.

             

As I listened to the music and sang the words to myself, tears flowed down my cheeks. I was overwhelmed by God’s love, grace and mercy. It doesn’t happen every Sunday, but for some reason the combination of where I was in my life, the music, and God’s Spirit touched a chord deep within me. It caught me by surprise.

             

God does that. As we move through life and interact with God and His people, God touches a chord deep within us.

             

There was a time when I would try to analyze what was taking place. Why was this happening? What was wrong with me? Was I falling apart?

             

I’ve learned to just accept it. This is what it means to be a child of God saved by grace, overwhelmed by unconditional love, and serving in a role for which you feel inadequate but called to.  

             

I can’t predict when God’s love is going to overwhelm me and move me to tears, but I am not embarrassed by it.

             

God’s love moves me to tears!