True Worship
I recently had the opportunity to attend a concert with my cousin at Center Stage in Atlanta to see the band, Flyleaf. Wow! As always, I had preconceived ideas of what the night would consist of and the atmosphere in which it was held. Once again, I was wrong.
Though I love music, my knowledge of all that is out there is limited due to my constant residence inside my Christian music bubble. I had never heard of Flyleaf. Yes, I'm that far behind. So, I did not know their lyrics nor the message they hope to convey. Thankfully, my cousin knew everything about them and gave me insight. Since then, I've read articles, lyrics and watched interviews. I encourage you to do the same.
Also, because I hold a position as a worship leader, I have somehow gained a shallow concept of worship. True worship can only be found in "our" weekly gatherings at synagogues or designated houses of God. It can only be done at certain points in a service and in a specific manner. That was the depth of my knowledge, my experience, my example? Needless to say, I was disturbed with myself.
This place was filled with a culture in love with music and confident in themselves. Most Christians wouldn't associate with them because of appearance or action. This culture knows this. And they don't care. They desire and take advantage of their freedom to worship. We have failed at channelling their worship toward the living, loving, Father God. I saw true worship. For the first time, my eyes were opened to the magnitude of its power.
The next day I came across a music video entitled, Closer To The Edge by a band called 30 Seconds to Mars. Once again, I had never heard of them. You don't have to say it; I know I'm behind. I was intrigued. So, I searched additional songs by this band. I watched the video for Kings and Queens and listened to the song, This Is War. By the end of the day, I downloaded the album, This Is War from iTunes. What I saw and heard was a cry to worship; a need to worship. It doesn't look or sound the way I would have expected it. I tried to take the "Christian" mindset and separate myself and ideas of worship from what I saw that night in Atlanta and in these particular videos. However, The Spirit had plans to teach me and He's still doing so.
"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
- John 4: 23-24 (The Message)
Do we hear the heartbeat of Jesus? We cannot just be about our weekly gatherings. Neither should we judge those who have no concept of those gatherings and the reason we hold them. We haven't been given the gift of salvation and remain in this world for ourselves. I just read a great statement by Eric Michael Bryant from the book, Not Like Me;
"Christians' isolation from the world fails to communicate God's concern for those around us but instead communicates that we do not want others in our lives who do not know Christ."
I am not suggesting that worship in our gatherings is meaningless and in vain. I am saying that is an injustice if it is withheld from a a culture that needs it most. We are alive, free, victorious, destined, purposeful, and joyful because of Christ, our Savior. May the true worshippers arise to show The Truth.
Though I love music, my knowledge of all that is out there is limited due to my constant residence inside my Christian music bubble. I had never heard of Flyleaf. Yes, I'm that far behind. So, I did not know their lyrics nor the message they hope to convey. Thankfully, my cousin knew everything about them and gave me insight. Since then, I've read articles, lyrics and watched interviews. I encourage you to do the same.
Also, because I hold a position as a worship leader, I have somehow gained a shallow concept of worship. True worship can only be found in "our" weekly gatherings at synagogues or designated houses of God. It can only be done at certain points in a service and in a specific manner. That was the depth of my knowledge, my experience, my example? Needless to say, I was disturbed with myself.
This place was filled with a culture in love with music and confident in themselves. Most Christians wouldn't associate with them because of appearance or action. This culture knows this. And they don't care. They desire and take advantage of their freedom to worship. We have failed at channelling their worship toward the living, loving, Father God. I saw true worship. For the first time, my eyes were opened to the magnitude of its power.
The next day I came across a music video entitled, Closer To The Edge by a band called 30 Seconds to Mars. Once again, I had never heard of them. You don't have to say it; I know I'm behind. I was intrigued. So, I searched additional songs by this band. I watched the video for Kings and Queens and listened to the song, This Is War. By the end of the day, I downloaded the album, This Is War from iTunes. What I saw and heard was a cry to worship; a need to worship. It doesn't look or sound the way I would have expected it. I tried to take the "Christian" mindset and separate myself and ideas of worship from what I saw that night in Atlanta and in these particular videos. However, The Spirit had plans to teach me and He's still doing so.
"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
- John 4: 23-24 (The Message)
Do we hear the heartbeat of Jesus? We cannot just be about our weekly gatherings. Neither should we judge those who have no concept of those gatherings and the reason we hold them. We haven't been given the gift of salvation and remain in this world for ourselves. I just read a great statement by Eric Michael Bryant from the book, Not Like Me;
"Christians' isolation from the world fails to communicate God's concern for those around us but instead communicates that we do not want others in our lives who do not know Christ."
I am not suggesting that worship in our gatherings is meaningless and in vain. I am saying that is an injustice if it is withheld from a a culture that needs it most. We are alive, free, victorious, destined, purposeful, and joyful because of Christ, our Savior. May the true worshippers arise to show The Truth.
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