“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.