Does anyone have an answer to the following guilt-inducing question:
Why is it that you scream and cheer while watching your favorite sports team, but you show such little expression in worship?
I love the Cubs, and I fear that I am more committed to listening to Ron and Pat on WGN radio than I am to listening to God in prayer. I fear that many American Christians are like me.
Only six people showed up to our church prayer meeting the other day, which, ironically, is called "Devoted". We meet two Wednesday nights per month to praise God in song and to pray. It is always a somber gathering. I miss the days as a teen when we would have all-nighters, screaming in prayer; albeit not really knowing much about God, but passionate nonetheless.
Do we just not believe in God's providence unfolding through prayer? Do we even believe we need God anymore? Are we just too comfortable in our death-gripped homes? Are we just too busy working at our jobs and idolizing our kids? Do we even have time to evangelize, or simply discover what evangelism is today?
Have we been entirely Americanized?
One comment
Comment by Betsy on July 20, 2007 at 3:19 PM
hmmm...I was thinking about this in the morning while reading Isaiah 42. In the context of the Lord marching out like a mighty warrior and revealing his glory, he says "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough placces smooth."
I can't help but think that we, the blind, have to be doubly blind. We're not only blind to who God really is (now we see dimly...) but I think God calls us to be deaf and blind to the inticements of this word too in a way. We can't serve too masters, right?
I guess what got me was the image of God leading his blind children in a path they have never been - smoothing the road, bringing them to light - not forsaking us. And we, on this earth, must be blind followers - those that believe in the unseen, the assurance of things hoped for - cherished children whom God leads along new paths for his glory. Made me want to be blind to this world that I may be that much more devoted to following God on new paths without distraction.
Thanks for joining us and sharing your thoughts.