Red carpet treatment.

“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon]… And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:4-5, 7 (Amp)

I’m sure you have seen at least one celebrity awards ceremony on TV. So you’re familiar with the drill; limousines pull up, out steps someone (initially well-known faces but they become increasing obscure as time goes on) onto the red carpet and the camera flashes go crazy. They smile, they turn and people shout out their names.
Days after people are still looking at pictures of what they wore. It happens every time.

Praise and worship is the spiritual equivalent to red carpet treatment, but who is the red carpet for?
‘God’ would have been my immediate response but as I was worshipping in church the other day I realised something amazing; the red carpet is for us!

While our worship may be for Him, through it God welcomes us into His presence. How awesome is that; I’m a no-one [unheard of and not famous] but God chose to hand write me an invitation. He welcomes us beyond the veil and into His home, the Holy of holies, but the invitation came at a cost. We are cleansed by Christ blood shed on the cross. He wove the red carpet for us, for you and I, to welcome us into His presence. He calls out our names, all heaven roars in victory. Their cameras begin flashing, your picture is the image of salvation. A victory trophy clothed in righteousness.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10