Dear
Congregation,
Have you ever
witnessed online—or even in person—a “flash mob”? The term refers to coordinated
performances that take place out where unsuspecting people find themselves suddenly
immersed in something that is from another world than the one that they were
expecting.
They were in
the world of the shopping mall, or the street corner, or the train station;
then, suddenly, they find themselves in the world of the symphony or the
chorale. Oftentimes, people who are very unfamiliar with these worlds find themselves
enjoying very much this invading sample from the other world.
On a number
of occasions in the first year of her life, it has been a joy to observe this “flash
mob” effect on our Itty Bit, as she is affectionately called. She will be
sitting with us at table for a meal. Things will get (mostly) cleaned up. Daddy
will say, “God made.” Everyone will say, “everything!” Daddy will say, “And God
helps.” Everyone will say, “us!” Daddy will say, “So let’s worship.” Everyone
will say, “God!” Then there will be prayer. Then everyone will open a book.
Then the most amazing thing happens. The entire family breaks forth into singing.
It is
difficult to find words for the look on Itty Bit’s face at this point. She
seems clearly to see that there has been an invasion from some wonderful world
at this point. And not just the world of singing in four part harmony—although there
is that. But rather the world of
praise. The world that exists in the more cognizantly immediate presence of
God.
No, she doesn’t
always (or often, yet!) behave well all the way through Bible reading, though
it does seem that she understands that this is like no other reading that we do
as a family (and we read other things). No, she doesn’t always make it all the
way through Bible explanation/application, though she does seem to be observing
that this is different than normal conversation. And she doesn’t quite seem to “get”
prayer—though she seems to get that it is different than anything else that we
do.
On the whole,
the exercises of worship aren’t things that she seems to be processing in the
way that one day (soon!) she will be. But one thing that she is processing is
that there is another world, and our family belongs to it and participates in
it—even though we also have a zip code in Middle Tennessee. And—God helping us—she
is starting to learn that there is a joy in this belonging and participation
that is, quite literally, other-worldly.
When, some
time ago, we were in Hebrews 12:18-29 as a congregation, we learned from
Scripture that corporate worship on the Lord’s Day is a visit to this other
world. It’s kind of the inverse of the flash mob. We come to the great cloud of
witnesses—and especially to Him Himself whom they witness—and discover there
wonders and joys that leave an impression upon us that is far greater than the
sum of the particular benefits of the particular exercises of worship.
The difficulty
for us is that this visit must occur by faith, and this impression is perceived
by faith. May the Lord, who measures out faith unto believers, measure out unto
us an ever-increasing portion for these weekly visits to glory!
Looking
forward to visiting there with you tomorrow,
Pastor
No comments:
Post a Comment