At The Glass
by Ken
How is it that, if you build a circle of glass, and add some ice and hockey players on the other side, getting up close to that glass is so desirable it can cost more $100? Or instead if you add some water, sea otters, and toss them a few fish, getting up close to that glass will cause families to queue up 30 minutes early?
On the other hand, if you try to pen in an angry bull with a man and a red cape, or if you set a large hoop aflame and jump a car through it, people don’t want to be close at all but stand at a distance with rapt attention from our tense excitement.
But in church, there isn’t a wall of glass separating us from something so exciting to be so close. And there’s certainly nothing worthy of fearful respect that requires a safety distance.
Really?
Some may argue that there is a difference between entertainment and worship, and I totally agree. Still, shouldn’t worshipping God generate excitement and fear greater than our man-made creations?
The God of the universe has sacrificed His one and only Son so that He can be near us. What a little sacrifice is it for us to be “near” to Him? On the other hand, the Creator is the only One who commands the heavens and earth — certainly power to be fearful, and in awe of. Anyone in their right mind would give that kind of power a little space.
Maybe God’s too common. Things that are common in this world (like sand) are worth little.
Maybe God’s too invisible. What’s the point of being “near” something you can’t see?
Maybe God’s too loving. With arms as wide open and as big as God’s, who could be afraid?
But isn’t that the point? He loves us so much, He wants us to be near Him so deeply, and He’s fearfully and wonderfully powerful. God is all these things, and So Much More. How much more need we be convinced that God is All? Better yet, God IS.
When’s the last time you really sacrificed yourself to be near Him?
March 13th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Well said and well asked, Ken. I especially like the “entertainment/worship paragraph. It is and should be an exciting thing to come together to worship God.
In my thinking the line from entertainment to worship can be crossed in a few places and by a few people. A worship leader or a preacher or a soloist or a choir can cross the line when their intent is primarily to draw focus and attention to themselves and their talent. An “audience member” can cross it when she listens for the sole purpose of being pleased by the music or the preaching. A worship committee can cross it when the service is planned for the sole purpose of “tickling the ears” of those who attend.
A lot of that is about intent and focus. Pointing either or both primarily earthward (whether by a singer, musician, song leader, communion leader or preacher leads to entertainment, while pointing either or both primarily heavenward leads to worship.
Ultimately we may discover that worship is even more exciting than entertainment, because God is involved.
Your three questions, by the way, will preach! I may have to “borrow” those for a sermon one day soon.
Thanks for the good post….
March 17th, 2010 at 9:52 am
“When’s the last time you really sacrificed yourself to be near Him?”
The funny thing is that it doesn’t take much effort to be near God. As you said, he IS. Recognition is not hard to give.
What takes effort is to leave the “glass” barrier of sin and shame up, when God has done his best to take it down. No more bulls, goats, priests between us since the ultimate sacrifice of God’s only son dismantled the barriers. Too often, though, we’re like Adam and Eve trying desperately to cover up evidence of sin and hide from God. Or we try to make deals with God in an effort to manipulate him into giving what he already wants to give. Or we try to ear our way into his favor by doing more or giving more, comparatively.
On the other hand, Jesus made it clear that the way we show our love for God is by showing love to people. Now THAT takes work.