Last night I went to the "All Things New" Tour with some folks from our church. Typically I am not a huge fan of Casting Crowns, or Steven Curtis Chapman, but Chris Tomlin on the other hand...man that was good stuff. I felt so encouraged after worshipping with Chris Tomlin last night. I think that is what I love about him, is that it's all worship! What a great experience!
The only problem with going and worshipping in a setting like that is, Sunday is a rude awakening. Sunday mornings for us have come a long way in a short period of time, and for that I am thankful. Let me say I know that the church isn't to be driven by anyone's wants and whims. But I have a difficult time on Sundays because we still struggle with extremely
important issues like, "what if we change the way the auditorium is layed out" or even better "Let's just get rid of the Lord Supper table, we're alreay serving from the back anyway, does that matter?" Sure it does...errrrrrr! Agghhhhhh! I just want to move us all along and become relevant to our time and culture, is that too much to ask? As Steven Curtis Chapman says, I really just want us to start making "much of Jesus" and much less of us! I don't know, this is hard. I feel like each week I face and fight a new battle to prepare us to fight the enemy. The only problem is, is that the enemy ultimately isn't Satan, it's me and us! Why though? Why does spiritual immaturity wreak such havoc on our churches? Why doesn't church autonomy mean self-governed. Why have we made traditions into truth, many of which we got from other denominations (of course you know none of them are going to heaven anyway, but we can borrow traditions like Sunday school and invitations, oh brother!) Why must we fight for these "truths" when they aren't our truths in the first place?'
I know I am ranting, but this is my real world, my reality show. People who are so concerned about comfortability they have forgotten about our mission...Ugh! It's quite sickening, and I know that I am as bad as anyone else, but I just want to be free.
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
Father free us! Gives us a sense of security that we obviuosly lack, help us to know that your way is not of law, but of love. And it is your desire that we spread that message of love throughout our world. Help us to start in our churches and quickly move into our communities. Let us realize that you must be greater and we must become less! Amen.
