When Moses came back down off the mountain, his face was radiant. He was reflecting God, whom he had been with for sometime. Once men reach the presence of God, it is almost impossible to pull them away. Worship isn't supposed to be mere singing, or following a power point and looking and the band, it is a search for the presence of God, a search for meaning. The only method for getting meaning, purpose, and fulfillment is through worship.
We confine this to mere moments on Sundays, not nearly enough time to seek God. Levites spent YEARS to become holy enough to seek God within His temple. We jog into church, no matter what we've been doing the previous night - or even that morning - and expect to get goosebumps watching the band do some songs. There have been worship services I've been to that lasted hours, feeling like moments as I've fallen into the arms of God. Its so simple, yet we are constantly on a search to improve the worship experience.
In the middle of intercity Baltimore, with a group of ghetto kids and a CD leading the worship, I went into the presence of God. Yet at a huge, awesome, loud service I have problems finding God. Why? Because we hold in the urge to sing and reach out to our Creator. We were made to walk with God (see Genesis), so it only makes sense that the best moments of my life have been when I have done just that. In the middle of those kids, singing to God. In the middle of a night long worship service on my face before God. If you reach out, really reach out - not just singing and looking blankly - you are compelled to fall before God in awe, admiration, and love. There is no option; it just happens.
Once in God's arms, your soul will not want to leave. Yet there are so many services I struggle through 3 minute songs. Most Sundays I can hear the house sound system better than the praises of God's people. Most Sundays its a 4 song and done, on to reset the stage for the sermon. Its so rare I find that place with God - even though I have been finding it more often through prayer and meditation - that those moments are life changers. You and I, just like Moses, change forever with each deep time in the arms of Jesus.
Worship is only illusive because we make it that way. On an infinite search for the next big thing - the next catchy pop melody - the next worship leader - we miss the point. In the middle of guitar solos followed by quiet bridges - we miss the point. In church - we miss the point. Worship isn't about you. Worship isn't about how well we can play pentatonic scales. Its falling into the arms of God, finding the heart of God.
And your life will be changed.
2 comments:
Josh Good post. Couple of thoughts, Moses was alone with God, not in a big crowd with rows of people. I truly beleive that is the ultimate worship experience. If we gather having already been in his presence and lead as Moses was from that place, we then lead people toward, and into worship. From a leaders perspective I can never ask or expect people to do what I'm not doing myself. If people are looking for goosebumps then as leaders we must be leading them there. Not what I want since it's really not eternal and doesn't bring life change. Let's lead the way and pray for the people in our community and worship with all our heart daily and when we gather, well, lets see what God will do.
I think you are correct. Deep time with God is best done alone. There is still a place where corporate worship is also a great time with God, but a relationship will only be effective if one spends time on their own with God.
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