1 Corinthians 14:33
God is not one who likes things to be disorderly and upset. He likes harmony, and he finds it in all the other churches.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A few months ago, I got
serious about cleaning closets and drawers in our house. In particular,
I spent about THREE DAYS working on my laundry/sewing room. Yes, it was
THAT bad! I organized drawers, labeled containers and sorted the
things to put in them. I cleared counter space and cleaned everything
thoroughly. I had come to the point where I said, “I cannot sew another
garment – or make another card – until I get this room in order.” There
was no harmony in that room, and I could not function properly in such
chaos and clutter.
The room isn’t perfect, but I am making a
concerted effort to maintain some semblance of order there. I try to
leave a few minutes at the end of the day/evening to clean up and put
things away. I find that I am more productive in this space now…that my
entire spirit has lifted, because for the most part, there is harmony
and order there.
In our relationship with God, a lot of us need
to spend some time giving things a good cleaning. We have become
scattered and jumped on one bandwagon too many! Are the “old ways” of
worship outdated and no longer relevant? Do we sell everything and give
to the poor and humble ourselves…or does God want us to be rich and
dripping in furs, diamonds and new cars/houses? Do we need to take to
the streets and “meet people where they are”…or do we need to build a
big new sanctuary as a literal “temple to God” that shows others how
much we love Him?
Do we need to raise our hands and play the
music louder…or do we need to “be still and know” His voice? Is God
over and done with worship on wooden pews with traditional hymns and
rituals? Does He now require that our services include a coffee bar,
light show and a full stage of musicians? Are choirs and organs
passé…does God now insist we praise Him with a full orchestra? Is
loving others…visiting the sick, helping the poor and needy, and simply
sharing your personal time and attention with others no longer a valid
way to minister in Jesus’ name? Does He now expect us to have
“programs” for such things?
I have prayed about all of these
questions…and many more…in recent weeks/months, and the answer I keep
getting is this…”Just go…be…do. Operate with order and harmony. Study
My word and see what has worked for centuries. You don’t have to
reinvent the wheel…you just have to do what I ask – to minister in My
name. I will show you how, where and when to do these things. Clear
away the clutter and focus on Me. Fix your eyes on the cross and
Jesus…and give Me space to work!”
I am constantly re-assessing my
craft/sewing/laundry area…checking to see where I might be getting a
little lax or letting some disorder creep back into the space. And we
must do this in our Spiritual lives, also. Every day, we must take a
few minutes to asses our relationship with God…how we are serving Him
and worshiping Him…whether we are truly hearing from Him and following
His lead. God enjoys harmony and order. When we strive to give Him
these things in our own lives, we will be amazed at what He can do in
and through us. I’m ready to get things in order and find out…what
about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label order versus chaos in worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label order versus chaos in worship. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 9, 2013
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
After attending a Contemporary Worship service at our church for more than a decade, my husband and I recently returned to the more traditional worship service that is held in the “third hour” each Sunday. We did this primarily so that my great-nephew, Timothy, and his sister Zola could attend Sunday school and nursery during that time period. But we have found that the “fit” is much better for all of us. This is not a criticism of Contemporary Worship. I participated as a member of that service’s Praise Team for eight years and even filled in as an interim leader of the team for many weeks one year. I love the casual atmosphere that seems to encourage some to more freely participate in worship.
But I found myself missing the peace and order of traditional worship… the way the old hymns quietly moved me with their words and rich tradition. I discovered that more of the pastor’s sermon resonates with me in the still calm of our church’s sanctuary. The choir’s anthems and the truly “divine” preludes and offertories presented by our pianist stir my soul… and sometimes move me to tears.
I recognize that people worship God in different ways… and at different speeds and volumes…and that’s okay. But I wonder… how often are we missing God – at least to a degree – because there is too much chaos and not enough peace in our lives? How often do we really sit still and listen for God? When was the last time you grabbed a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and your Bible… and retreated to a quiet area to just sit still for a few minutes and let God speak to you? How often do you take a few minutes to pour out your heart to God… to talk to Him like you would your best friend... to tell Him all of your joys and your heartaches?
My question for all of us today is this… “Can we simply stop all of the noise and movement for a few minutes and truly worship God?” Can you give Him your full, undivided attention for even a little while? What do you suppose would happen if you stopped and basked in the peace and order of God? How much more do you think you might glean from His messages to you?
There are times to raise your hands… to shout and dance in worship of God. And there are times when we need to sit still… to revel in the order of peace. Do you have a healthy balance of both in your life? Are you willing to find out what could happen if you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
After attending a Contemporary Worship service at our church for more than a decade, my husband and I recently returned to the more traditional worship service that is held in the “third hour” each Sunday. We did this primarily so that my great-nephew, Timothy, and his sister Zola could attend Sunday school and nursery during that time period. But we have found that the “fit” is much better for all of us. This is not a criticism of Contemporary Worship. I participated as a member of that service’s Praise Team for eight years and even filled in as an interim leader of the team for many weeks one year. I love the casual atmosphere that seems to encourage some to more freely participate in worship.
But I found myself missing the peace and order of traditional worship… the way the old hymns quietly moved me with their words and rich tradition. I discovered that more of the pastor’s sermon resonates with me in the still calm of our church’s sanctuary. The choir’s anthems and the truly “divine” preludes and offertories presented by our pianist stir my soul… and sometimes move me to tears.
I recognize that people worship God in different ways… and at different speeds and volumes…and that’s okay. But I wonder… how often are we missing God – at least to a degree – because there is too much chaos and not enough peace in our lives? How often do we really sit still and listen for God? When was the last time you grabbed a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and your Bible… and retreated to a quiet area to just sit still for a few minutes and let God speak to you? How often do you take a few minutes to pour out your heart to God… to talk to Him like you would your best friend... to tell Him all of your joys and your heartaches?
My question for all of us today is this… “Can we simply stop all of the noise and movement for a few minutes and truly worship God?” Can you give Him your full, undivided attention for even a little while? What do you suppose would happen if you stopped and basked in the peace and order of God? How much more do you think you might glean from His messages to you?
There are times to raise your hands… to shout and dance in worship of God. And there are times when we need to sit still… to revel in the order of peace. Do you have a healthy balance of both in your life? Are you willing to find out what could happen if you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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