On occasion I've heard the comment, I'm not getting fed in worship. I know it's true for sometimes where we are and where the worship experience is going doesn't always match. But I have several thoughts related to this, I would like you to think about, the next time it feels that way to you.
Worship is the work of the people, we need to be ready for worship, not a spectator sport, so part of how we get more out of worship is to be better prepared ourselves....which means praying before we come, reading the scripture lesson ahead of time to see where God might speak to you today, if you are ready. It means having private devotions every day to keep your spirit in tuned to God so that you will have the reference points that come up in worship.
We have fallen into an entertainment trap when we gather for worship, we hope that the music inspires us, that the atmosphere deals with our needs, that the message speaks to something we need to hear, and we hope that it's not dull or boring or that we have to put up with some one else's prayer requests that we could care less about. We have gotten so used to switching channels if it's not inspiring us watching TV, that we take that same attitude into worship.
Here is a thought for the day for you. Remember Jesus went to worship every week as was his custom. He was fulfilling the first four commandments and it is very important to put our lives back in God's hands each week. Where else will we learn how to beat the devil's influence on us. But think of this when you feel you aren't getting fed, here is Jesus, I mean if you are Jesus are you going to get anything out of the message from a mere rabbi? You are the son of God, you know all this stuff, wouldn't you think of all the people who could skip worship and it not hurt his spiritual life, it would be Jesus. And yet, he was in the worship every week, it was his custom, and the disciples knew it from following him around. so... unless you are better than Jesus, there is still a reason to be going to worship.
Worship was God's idea, a way for us to connect to our creator and be able to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It's not about what we get out of worship, it's how much do we put in to worship God. How are we showing worthiness to God? You can turn every thought, every moment in the experience of worship into something we can say to God. Each part of worship reflects what we should be doing in our daily lives and in our relationship to worship.
For instance, gathering in seats/pews, etc, puts us in touch with others who have been here before us and sat in this same seats. Have you thought to thank God for the people who were in the seat before you , who made the church possible to be here for you today? In our church there are people who have come to worship here for 150 years.
Another opportunity, worship puts us close to neighbors, we are to love our neighbor as Jesus loves us. Going to worship helps us to remember we are supposed to be together in worship. And if those neighbors in the pews aren't too friendly or much of a good neighbor, that becomes a moment for prayer for forgiveness about them, or about you. If you don't know the people in the worship, it may be God calling you to meet new people who have the same interests that you do. A new friend might be just around the corner.
Singing hymns fulfills many of the commandments of scripture about singing, lifting our voices in praise to God. It may be a whole lot easier to sing God's praise with helpers, than to think you are doing this on your own. Besides medical examination has shown that singing is good for you, and not singing by yourself but singing with others. It has a way of regulating your heart and lung function to bring about more peaceful conditions in your stressed body. It elevates good chemistry in your blood, you can't get that without singing, and it doesn't depend on whether it's your favorite hymn or praise song to get the good physical benefits from being in church and singing. Think about that the next time you don't particularly care for the hymn.
On a different note, worship is also the introduction to God, not the whole thing. It's not the only way we connect to God, but it is a very important one. Teaching about God occurs on multiple levels. The large gathering in a crowd for worship is like Jesus with the parables and large crowds. It got them thinking, but the understanding, the being fed spiritually, occurs in the small group of disciples who asked Jesus the questions. You need both the introductions, and even if it's something you knew already, it's worth being there for it will become the way to get you asking questions in your small group to learn more. It's also time for you to think, this may not help me, but if it helps someone here today, then I'm helping someone else connect to God by my being here.
The letters of Paul, Peter, John and James, comment on the need to have both milk and meat in your diet as a Christian. The milk comes in the large crowd, because it will include people who are just now seeking God and may not have any idea of what God is like. To talk over their heads, or to deny their needing milk, because some only want meat when they come, is to drive a distance between a seeker and God. Jesus said it would be better for you to tie a weight around your neck and be drowned than to suffer the consequences of being the reason a child of God is denied what they need to get closer to God. St. Paul also said, I need to speak words everyone can understand in the meeting. If you want more or if you have questions, ask afterwards. the large time for worship, the small groups and Sunday School classes for learning.
I hope that gives you something to think about, the next time you walk out and feel like you didn't get much out of worship, it's not all about you, it could be the one next to you that was blessed. And it may be that getting ready for church could use more time invested, so that you will get something out of worship.
Blessings on your journey and the challenges you face.
Pastor Jeff
