In The Credits!

For a number of years my wife and I have made it a practice to sit through the entire credits at the end of a movie. Sometimes this has made us the last two people sitting in the theater. Though the long list sometimes passes by too quickly to read every name, we often comment to each other when a name catches our attention. In spite of the reality we don't know these people, each name represents a person who was involved in making the production possible. Each role -- large or small -- was significant to the whole!

How often has a worship assembly been viewed and come away from similar to a movie experience? Becoming so used to fast paced drama and the flashiness of professionalism, have we too easily become bored? Has worship become something to entertain and please us rather than being that in which we are a PARTICIPANT TO PLEASE GOD? Do we experience a variety of emotions (i.e. joy, sadness, meditation, etc.), but then leave as if nothing happened?

As Jesus encountered the woman at the well where they discussed the contrast between the Samaritans worshipping on a mountain and the Jews in Jerusalem ( John 4:19-22), Jesus went on to state. . .
"(23) But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (24) God is spirit, and those who worship him MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH." ( John 4:23-24 ESV)

Acknowledging the kind of worshipers "the Father is seeking", is our worship together more about seeking an experience or seeking God "in spirit and truth"? As we leave the assembly of the church, may our individual names be found "in the credits" as God has observed our PARTICIPATION in the worship that has taken place there. May our part be shown under the listings of communed, sang, prayed, absorbed the truth of God's Word, and left a changed person, reenergized to practice the Will of God through being a living sacrifice of spiritual worship ( Romans 12:1) to God. It is not what we see, but how we are INVOLVED that will make the difference in our life.

Have a great day CREDITED BY GOD FOR THE HEART OF WORSHIP AND LIVING!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Involvement