I love a parade. I love to watch a parade in all its glorious, colorful, noisy pageantry and I love to be in parades. I love to walk, wave, smile, greet, support, and pass out candy, bracelets, or other trinkets. I have been in kiddie parades, pet parades, holiday parades, and a waving, smiling, clapping spectator in so many more. My heart is always deeply touched and I am often moved to tears when I stand and applaud well-deserved veterans honored in a parade or the breathtaking military flyovers. Sometimes, my eyes get watery as I watch children forming lifetime memories from their experiences in the joyful festivities.
Parades are birthed out of celebration. There can be victory parades, holiday parades, heritage parades, boat parades, special event parades, or people parades, and all rooted out of honor.
Parades go in one direction and often include music, costumes, floats, balloons, flags, fancy cars, motorcycles, horses, queens, princesses, mayors, dignitaries, people worthy of respect and honor. Parades are places of fellowship, there is no isolation at a parade.
The Bible (Genesis 50:9) records an impressive burial procession honoring Jacob. Military troops have been paraded in front of people before going off to battle and then again upon return with all the bounty and loot (2 Chronicles 20:27.) Nehemiah chapter 12 records a procession as part of their celebration on the rebuilding of the wall and we can’t forget David dancing with all of his might when bringing the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6.)
Our lives are to be lived out in a parade for God. Our lives are meant to honor God. Our lives are to showcase Him, celebrate Him, reflect Him. We are to wave, smile, and bring smiles to others. We are to go in one direction, following some, leading others. We are to make music and we are to wear both compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience (Colossians 3:12), and the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18.)
When I walk in a parade, people do not applaud me but they often applaud the organization I am representing. They won’t even know my name but they will remember the name on the banner I carry. His banner over us is love, His Name Jehovah Nissi (Song of Solomon 2:4.) We are to walk, wave, smile, love and greet for Him, for His applause.
Will you join me in being on parade for Him today? Wave His banner, sing His songs, celebrate His victories, honor Him.
2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV – But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.
Father God, we want to honor You. We want to draw attention to You in ways that are festive, fun, and celebratory for You are worthy. We want You to get ALL the honor and glory due You. Help us to live lives today and always that bless You. In Jesus’s triumphant Name, amen.