FORWARD! Feast Fever?

by Larry Salyer

Most of us are familiar with the term Feast fever. Members coined the expression decades ago in recognition of the flurry of activity and excitement that leads up to the Feast of Tabernacles. The dawning realization that we are about to temporarily escape the mundane routine of daily life in our dark and decaying world and bask briefly in the light of God's Kingdom starts to build anticipation.

We develop a spiritual high long before we depart for the Feast site. Often, this fever strikes even before the Feast of Trumpets. My family has experienced this healthy fever for over 40 years.

I remember, though, another Feast fever that wasn't so pleasant and motivational. This fever accompanied a sudden bout of the flu or some other serious stomach ailment. My wife, Judy, and I will never forget the Feast in 1968.

It had never occurred to us that we might have to entirely miss attending the Feast. But, two days before the Feast, we were both too sick to function. We took turns caring for our two small children, but could hardly even cope with that. The worst came when we realized that all the brethren had departed for Big Sandy, Texas, and we were left behind.

Pleading with God, we began to recover, loaded the car and arrived at the site in time for the Holy Day. But almost missing that Feast has deepened our appreciation for the wonderful yearly opportunity.

The Fall Holy Day season is the highlight of the year for God's people. Most of us have made our Feast preparations and our anticipation is building. We are anxious to gather with brethren to rejoice before God in His appointed Feast.

Keeping the Feast to the full doesn't necessarily require physical health for everyone—in fact the diligence of our disabled brethren is inspiring. Actually, we need to develop a fever. Rejoicing before God to foreshadow His soon-coming Kingdom depends on robust spiritual health, which in turn produces the symptomatic fever. The warmth springs from a fervent appreciation for God's plan and His mercy to His Church in revealing our destiny.

As the Holy Days approach, true Christians should start to feel a little unusual. How about you? Have you taken your spiritual temperature lately? Are you feeling a little feverish? Good! May this Feast of Tabernacles also give you chills! UN

Larry Salyer is Media and Communications Services operation manager.