Worship is a such a privelige! Yesterday we had the privilege of experiencing three corporate worship services. The first was with our own body. Worst of Sinners lead worship as usual in the first service at our local church. This is usually a sweet and intimate time, humbling ourselves before the throne of God. What wonderful communion in anticipation of heaven!
The second opportunity was with a completely unknown body of believers. A sister church at a point of transition and change in their ministry. This was an opportunity for us to encourage and support our brothers and sisters. We did not know what to expect. Would they welcome us, a bunch of strangers, leading them in worship? Graciously they did. We were blessed and they were blessed. God was, as always, the hero.
The third was back at our home church sitting among our close friends worshiping together in prayer and the study of God's Word. Always rich and good.
All three were different, and yet, at all we were worshiping the very same God. Our goal is always to worship in Spirit and in Truth. That it would be an acceptable offering to God. A sweet smelling aroma.
Then there is the daily, moment by moment, private worship. The worship in prayer and life lived. The daily living out of our life, IS worship. This worship, I think, flushes out what you truly believe about God. It shows how saturated your heart and mind is with the Word of God. It is this moment-by-moment, living worship that shows where the blank spots are in the canvas of your life. The places and attitudes and areas where we are not surrendered to The Master Painter. The places where we are unyeilding to His brush. Closed to His color. Sadly, there are many more of these blank spots in my life than I would like to admit.
Today I feel a little like Elijah after defeating the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. In the aftermath of this truly amazing taste of God's awesome power, Elijah was chased away by Jezebel and her empty threat. He had witnessed God's mighty hand. He had been confirmed in his ministry by the Sovereign Lord of all creation. He stood against many devoted and powerful men, only to run in fear, from a woman!
Why is it so hard to live out what I say I believe in the trenches of the daily battle? It is not That the enemy is too powerful, it is, I think, that I stop being alert. I let down my guard. I retreat for a little R&R, thinking I just experienced a victory and now I deserve a rest. Only to find, again and again, this is Satan's most opportune time for attack.
Oh, that I could worship consistently, without retreating! That would be victory. To overcome. To persevere. To finish the fight.
4 comments:
I experience that same attack after every ministry opportunity. Some days I am ready, others I am forgetful, and prone.
OK, Here's one we sometimes face as well.
Yesterday I led worship for a group of people preparing to do a week long drama depicting the passion of Christ. It will be a week long easter celebration.
During the time of worhip I broke down, because I was moved by the lyrics of two particulat songs.
Immeditely ater the time, one of the men grabbed me to holler at me for not having someone in the gym to oversee the six or seven kids in there - mind you I have nothing to do with this other tan leading worship.
Talk about a harsh wakeup!
brutal! But I would call that a firey dart not a wake-up! You were fully awake during worship, bro.
True, True.
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