Reordering Worship

In chapter 2 of his book The Dangerous Act of Worship Mark Labberton writes,

“As we allow worship to do it's transformative work in our lives, we can stay where we are and yet move into the places where the heart of God dwells...We urgently need to recover a comprehensive vision of worship that recontextualizes our entire life and leads us to live out the worship God intends and desires.”

What is the worship God intends and desires? What is this illusive act that brings a smile to the heart of our creator? Scripture appears to be quite clear on this matter...

“Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:17 MSG)

All of these are actionable items. No superpowers are required*. It's simply choosing to move to the next step. Learn, work, help, stand up, go to bat may just be a journey of worship-a psalm of ascents if you will.

All 5 points (taken as a unit) seem vast and overwhelming...even unattainable. But when you take each point individually it becomes manageable. Let me explain.

The Order of Worship

As I look at this list I see a sequence or order. Being a good Presbyterian, I propose this could be considered an Order of Worship...perhaps a stretch but stay with me.

The simplest action is first—LEARN. Either a hands on experience or academic pursuit, the posture is that of being a learner. Becoming aware and allowing God to show you things is the key to this worship journey. In my own life this has happened through speakers, books I have read, and other channels.

Next is WORK. Injustice will not be brought to light without people working to show it for what it is. I sometimes think the opposite of work is apathy, and so it is indeed work to address the issue.

Following close behind is HELP. Take what you have learned and begin to apply it. Look for a local context and then act. Soup kitchen, shelter, kids ministry at church, helping friends who are facing great loss...allow space to make mistakes, trust God for the rest. Make yourself available to help with whatever you see.

Next, STAND UP. Don't be afraid to be seen as you talk about what you have learned and help others to take those first steps. Share some of those work experiences and what you have gleaned from the learning. Invite others to help. Make some noise about the issue to draw attention to God's heart for the marginalized. This is worship.

Finally, GO TO BAT. This is where all sense of self is potentially lost in the worship of God through carrying out justice. His character shines through. God's heart beats in your chest and all you can do is march to that beat. You are consumed in your love for Jesus and nothing that breaks His heart escapes your notice.

I know of a man who heard of a little girl who was sold to a brothel for grocery money. His heart was broken and after much prayer, he and his wife sold their business and moved to Cambodia to try to stop the trafficking of young girls into the sex trade.

Not only did he build a home to rescue at-risk girls and prevent the exploitation of children in the sex trade industry throughout the world, he found this little girl and started a ministry called Remember Nhu after he ransomed her from the brothel where she had been kept. By the way, Nhu was 13 when she was sold those many years ago, and I had the privilege of meeting her last year. Read the story of her rescue.

So what of it?

So now what? Could I possibly be so arrogant to think I have this figured out? I'm realizing this entire post appears to proclaim that I have arrived, ready to STAND UP.

Not so. In many ways I feel like I am still in the place to LEARN. I've been reading, attending seminars,  and following people on twitter and other social media channels. My heart is being broken for the people of the world and my awareness is expanding for those marginalized in my community.

But something in me is awakening to this concept of justice driven worship. God's character and how it is represented is at stake.

*I also realize that it appears I think this is a pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps idea. Not so. It is God's grace to me that I am even aware of the problem. He has begun this good work in me and will bring it through to completion for His glory alone.

One last thing. I realize that it is possible to be in different parts of the journey at the same time. It's not a formula...it's steps toward a lifestyle.

So I'm kind of mapping out what the path might be, but this I know. This journey will not take me anywhere except to where God intends me to be.

And the good news is He is already there.

Wrecked

So I'm reading The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton and I come across this.

“The world is meant to see and know something about God through the lives and actions of faithful worshippers. As we live out, carry forth, and demonstrate in character and action the life of the One we worship, they see God.”

What does it mean to “live out, carry forth, and demonstrate the life of the one we worship?”

Earlier in the book Labberton cites a passage in Isaiah where God is decrying the worship of His people. He denounces the new moon festivals and Sabbath observations. These very holy days He required according to the Law, and the people of Israel followed through. But there was an element they left out.

“‘Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:13-17 MSG)

And there it is. YHWH himself has told them to leave their worship, go home, and clean up. It appears that part of that washing includes doing justice.

Justice is a broadly defined term these days, but for me, today, as I'm reading this book, it means caring for the poor and marginalized, the orphan and widow in distress.

How much of my Sunday morning spills over to the rest of the week through doing justice? What does that even mean in this day and age? What must I do to show forth His ways and put aside my own?

Big broad ideals that are nothing more than mere platitudes unless I actually do something about it.

In all of this, the challenge to my heart is simple...unless I am also showing forth the character of my Heavenly Father I dare not call my Sunday experience worship.

Running and other issues of faith

"Therefore," is one of the greatest words to ever begin a sentence in the Bible. It creates a transition in a story and can either be positive or negative. And thank God this usage sets up a most amazing reason to persevere in the midst of trial.

"since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses," shows the concept of community in a way that connects heaven and earth--eternity and time. 

I recently had a friend die. Aged 39, it felt like he was taken from us. It feels so unfair. But I found this odd comfort carrying me even as I stood beside his casket. 

He is there, with Jesus, in this great cloud of witnesses. Right now. Cheering us on. Watching as if a great football game was playing out, sometimes loud, sometimes hushed, but watching nonetheless. 

So let us live our lives not only for ourselves but with an eye toward the stands where a great crowd of witnesses have already taken their place--lead by the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus!

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." There is nothing as annoying when I'm out running than a loose shoestring. All I can think about is that string, how it has the potential to trip me up or cause me to stumble. 

And then it hits me, this tiny thing is taking my mind off the race. So it is with sin. These little "toys" that I hold aside for personal moments keep me from the best race possible and could even put an end to my race should I fall, unable or unwilling to get back up. Tie up those loose ends. Confess them to the coach. Keep on running. 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NIV84) And now the finish line, the prize, the reason I began this race to begin with. 

Whenever I'm running, I have found the one thing that will always keep me through to the end is thinking of the end. And here is the most excellent of all prizes waiting to welcome me...cheering the loudest over the whole crowd for me to keep going, it's almost over, finish well...Jesus himself standing there waiting to lift me up into his arms. 

Whenever I watch the Ironman triathlon held in Hawaii, this is the thought that quite literally brings me to tears every time. Some finish first and some finish slow. Some make it within the timelines and others not so much. 

But what they show on the program brings me back to this point every-time. The runners are met by someone who loves them and has been waiting. However long it takes, they are there, arms wide open, ready to greet them at the finish of this grueling race. 

Cue the tears, because it throws me to my own future, whether near or far, when the ultimate champion, Jesus himself, welcomes me to the end of my race with cheers and welcome. 

He knows this race. He understands it all--the grueling pace and exertion. How? He knows this race because of one simple truth--he ran it himself.