Part 2 of a two-part series (see last post for part 1): God Seeking Us
There is a worship service already in progress when we wake up on Sunday morning (Rev. 4).
I am challenged by that reality as a worship director. Rather than creating ‘worship’ with our efforts, we are invited to co-create with a Triune God in a cathedral without ceilings, to join in songs that have been sung since the morning stars sang together at the dawn of creation (Job 38). Invited not just to hear the word of God from scripture, but to be aware that the Word of God is with us, reminding us again that no one knows the Father like he does. He’s willing on the one hand, to keep explaining the Father’s heart to us, and on the other, to keep explaining our hearts to the Father. This is his role as the perfect priest and mediator, and while we may hear the echo of this melody in the church today, I wonder if we might move a little closer to the orchestra? Jesus is very much alive, inviting us to a relationship with the Father – showing us the way through the torn curtain as the better worship leader of the church. Sharing himself, the Word of God, through the breaking of bread and drinking of cup. Reminding us again that forgiveness and grace and understanding are ours. He bought and paid for them. We sealed our acceptance of them in the waters of baptism.
I don’t believe we can come to church looking for a ‘moment,’ and experience all that God has for us. That would be like accepting a bag of Pop Rocks in lieu of a trip to the Grand Canyon. Sure, Pop Rocks surprise and entertain your mouth, but the Grand Canyon gulfs and dwarfs and brings sudden perspective. Who are we to congratulate ourselves on ‘great worship’ this morning?
Similarly, we come to marriage looking for a relationship, not a ‘moment.’ Companionship in both the ups and downs of life. ‘Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Eph. 5) “What?” a good historian might exclaim. “Christ loved the church enough to die before there even was a church?” Yes, and he has continuously offered relationship to each member of his body – the Body of Christ – since, through the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit, and through his ongoing role as high priest and mediator:
Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
Hebrews 7:25 AMP
Imagine, wives, the joy of a husband who lived to run interference for you whenever you needed it, who prayed for you non-stop, who listened to your groans too deep for words, and translated them into language you both can understand! Imagine husbands, the joy of a wife who trusted you completely and always came to you with questions, doubts, concerns and praise in a posture of absolute confidence that you had the perfect word for her! This is the relationship Jesus offers us not only personally, but through the Body of Christ. There we have companionship in the ups and downs of life – and through his Spirit a seal of promise that we are never and will never be left alone.
But something is required, and it’s something that we have a hard time with in the church. It’s called being real.
Jesus only really talks about worship once in his ministry, at least according to our scriptures. Yes, he quotes the Old Testament about worshipping God alone to the religious folks and the devil (which in itself is a sermon), but he teaches on worship only once. In passing, he says that you can’t worship both God and money; and in passing he says that God hears the prayers of those who truly worship him and do his will; but he reserves his “worship sermon” for a woman married and divorced five times, shacking up with a sixth man, and embarrassingly alone at a well in the middle of the day (read the story for yourself in John 4).
What do we learn from this unlikely conversation with a woman most people would ignore?
We learn that God is seeking. God is seeking real people with real lives who worship in spirit and in truth. Even if we only heard an echo of that haunting melody, our worship would change. God seeks. God invites us to his table. We are wanted, desired, and exulted over with singing – regardless of our past or even present circumstances. Whether we carry the scars of our sin and others sin toward us, or the disdainful pride of perfectionism, worshipping in truth is powerful: the truth of who God is, and the truth about us, naked and unadorned before our Maker. Grand Canyon perspective. We aren’t sought because of what we can do for God’s reputation. And we aren’t saved by grace so we can subject ourselves to ruthless perfectionism. We are sought because we are treasured sons and daughters. That is a place of respect, dignity, good and meaningful purpose and work, and the enjoyment of resting in our position rather than striving to get to the next level. This is more than a ‘moment!’ This is an invitation to freedom, peace and joy that awakens our souls and spirits to who God is!
We can’t help but worship in spirit when we catch the truth. And it shows up in all of life – including Sunday morning.
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