Month: December 2009

An interesting connection was made in comments to a recent blog post of mine (on Facebook, even if none of ya’ll commented here). The reference to what expectations one brings to a sporting event, compared to the expectations we may bring to a worship service.

I’ve been to both a worship service AND a major sporting event in the past week, so I figured I’m qualified to make a few comments. I agree that there are interesting things to note.

The obvious one would be participation versus consumerism. “Liturgy” literally means “the work of the people”. I think it’s important that we as worship leaders find ways to integrate response and active participation in some form of those we are leading. I also believe when I come to worship, I come wholly expecting to participate as actively as possible in the context provided…possibly even outside the lines a bit. 🙂

But maybe not so obviously, how often do we actually “expect” God to do something extra-ordinary in our worship time together? I think it often falls into the “ah….another worship service just like last week“, or possibly even the “WHOO HOO, ANOTHER WORSHIP SERVICE LIKE LAST WEEK!!”….depending on your approach. I think both extremes can miss out…although I think I like hockey more than basketball.

I desire the healthy expectation that comes from regular movements of the Spirit in our times together, much like the ebb and flow of a basketball game. Being able to accustom ourselves to how and where the Spirit is moving in our lives, and through us in our community.

But I also desire the random, out of nowhere, unexpected in occurrence and/or method, bursting forth uncontrollable moments of the Spirit, much like a goal being scored in a hockey game. Being completely surprised and taken off guard by the offensive and overwhelming presence and urging of the Spirit, both in our lives and through us in our community.

Ah well…as I’ve said before….our prayer is that we would reflect the worshipers God is looking for in John 4:23…

In listening to a message by Stanley Hauerwas the other day, he used a similar phrase over and over again. He was emphasizing the call of Christians and the Church to stand out…to live differently….to exist in ways that obviously contrast the way of the world toward the direction of Christ.

He mentioned several ways this can be done. Obviously, since the talk was not only from Hauerwas, but about Bonhoeffer & Yoder; Pacifism & non-violence were discussed. I have to say I find my being nodding in agreement with much of what was said in that regard. And not to be pigeon-holed in a “I’m against war” mindset, but in every area of life…to sacrifice ones assumed “rights” and show love, forgiveness and grace to the other, even when that means suffering. Not something I’m inherently good at, but something I’m working on.

But this concept of being a “light in the darkness”, or a “city on a hill” really become quite difficult during the Christmas season. We have displays that involve angels and stars – so does Wal-mart. We have productions and songs that involve a baby Jesus – so do half of the televised Primetime Specials. We remind people to be of good cheer, filled with hope, and emphasize good will above selfishness and materialism – so does, ironically, much of Christmas advertising.

And before the “War on Christmas” people get started, I don’t believe the “light in the darkness” comes in the form of forcing stores into plastering the word “Christ” in all of their commercialism. That may actually be simply making noise in the darkness.

Nevertheless, God has called us and has given His Spirit to enable us to LIVE DIFFERENTLY during every season of our lives, including Christmas. What will that look like in your family?

What patterns have your celebrations taken that are rooted in the world? What new patterns could you begin with your family this year that are grounded in Christ and His Kingdom? Where are you crossing the line between “feel good Christmas-ish actions” and “sacrificial, making no sense except to Jesus-ish actions”?

1 Corinthians 7:32-34 “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband.”

It is tough sometimes, when most of the Biblical writers we spend our time reading, and most ancient and modern theologians we enjoy spending our time in….were not only without children, but remained single. If only Jesus would have married, and had three little girls so that I could have a more distinct pattern to follow.

It’s helpful to realize that the “freedom to not get married” was a large pill to swallow for most ancient Jews. The fact that Jesus grew older without getting married would have seemed rather odd for most in that culture that strongly emphasized leaving generations behind you. The people receiving words like the ones above, needed encouragement that it could actually be a “good” thing to not get married. That freedom in Christ could actually mean freedom even from cultural norms and expected patterns of life.

I would agree…I probably divide my attention/love/energies/etc. in ways that someone without a wife and kids would not have to worry about. But I would also say that I have an understanding of God’s Love for the Bride of Christ, and God’s Love for us as children….in a way quite unlike anything I would’ve had, if I’d remained single.

We understand that Paul was not saying it’s better for all people to remain single. Nor would the Bible say that it’s better for everyone to experience marriage and children. But that God would be the focus, honored, experienced, and proclaimed by the life we live. Devotion to a life of celibacy and devotion to a spouse/kids can both become idols. Or they can become paths of being wholly devoted to God.

I pray that as years roll into decades…my life will be a living testimony of a husband and father who loves God faithfully and wholly. I love the praxis of it, that’s for sure…