“This is All for You!”

If you’re like me, you may have decided to try out the new TV show “Mobbed”, hosted and created by Howie Mandel. It’s one of those television shows that peek your curiosity every time a preview comes on. You await the time the very first episode airs so you can finally establish once and for all if it’s going to be a program worth your time, or prove to be a waste of time.

If you’re not familiar with the show, allow me to give you a little background. This cross between reality television and hidden camera phenomenon bring together a large quantity of complete strangers to form a ‘flash mob’ in an effort to surprise an unknowing participant during the reveal of a monumental secret. The program documents the preparations taken to pull off such an enormous task and ushers you through the intense moments of anticipation right up to the reaction of the one who is unsuspecting.

In the most recent episode, a man contacted “Mobbed” with the intent of being chosen to propose to his girlfriend using this ‘flash mob’ technique. Obviously in love, he wanted to show her once and for all that she is the one he wants to spend the rest of his life with. He wants to prove to her just how much he loves her, and to make her feel wanted, special, and significant. What better way to ask one to marry you than to declare your love in front of a multitude of people - singing to you and dancing to the song “Everlasting Love”. Clapping for you and cheering you on while escorted across town upon red carpets that have been rolled out to signify your ‘celebrity’ status.

Here's a little peek at what transpired. (You will want to mute the music player at the bottom of the page to view.)

Tears ran down my cheeks as I witnessed this stranger’s reaction - bending over in amazement, cupping her hand over her mouth in bewilderment, her own joyful, but uncontrollable tears causing mascara to smear around her eyes. The participating crowd, totaling over 1,000 people, proved to be a truly magnificent surprise, but not as wonderful as the moment that he came into view. She simply ‘lit up’ as the dancers and the members of the band turned to make room for the man she loved - all dressed up in a tuxedo and walking toward her with a smile upon his face. I will never forget his words, “This is all for you! I did this all for you!” And we all know what happened next - he popped the question and she said yes. Her friends and family appeared and before they knew it, they placed rings upon one another’s fingers and were pronounced husband and wife!

I couldn’t help but have a sense of jealousy churn within me. I thought to myself - Wow, it must be an incredible feeling to have someone love you so much that they would go to such trouble to let you know - to make you feel wanted, to make you feel special, to make you feel significant.

That’s when God gave me a vision. He placed in my mind a picture of a beautiful sunset over sparkling waters and then a breathtaking snow-capped mountain range. Then just like a whisper in my ear, He said, “This is all for you!” From there, I was taken to another image in my mind. This time, it was a picture of the cross - Jesus hanging there upon it, taking in His final breath. And again, He whispered to me, “I did this all for you!”

I was suddenly whisked away from a feeling of unimportance to a place of real acceptance. God so gently reminded me that He loves me with an “Everlasting Love”, that I AM wanted, and that I AM special, and that I AM significant! He gave me the beauty of the landscapes, the stars in the skies, the sun and the moon, the flowers, the precious hidden treasures of His creation - and He did it all for me! But most of all He sent His own precious Son to die on a cross to pay the penalty of my sin so I might live - He did it all for me! And He did it all for you!

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Revelation 19:6-8)

And the bride’s face ‘lit up’ as the bridegroom came into view. With a smile upon his face he whispered, “This is all for you! I did this all for you!”