This week Pastor Jon and I attended a conference on Innovations in Worship. I was very excited. I signed up for several breakout sessions that sounded truly compelling and pertinent to us as a worshiping community. I was looking for some great ideas, some handouts and resources I could bring back and use right away.
I came back empty handed. What is the magic of worship? Not the latest technology, nor some new form of music or a special time or place. It’s about the people: knowing who we are as we worship together, knowing how to direct their hearts to God and knowing what worship is about… encountering Christ’s mysteries, meeting together and praying, diving into the Word.
When I made this realization it almost made me laugh. It seems so basic.
A real and true worship experience is in God, not some shrink wrapped stuff you can get at the mall, an Internet download or by watching television.
When we truly encounter Christ, we are rendered speechless.
He climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah—and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him. When Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking. While he was babbling on like this, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.” When the sound of the voice died away, they saw Jesus there alone. They were speechless. Luke 9: 28-36(the Message)
No comments:
Post a Comment