The Lord

A banjo and mandolin led worship at our church this morning. Everyone likes a banjo and mandolin, hearing them played results in one smiling. Regardless of their fun nature, the congregation struggled to truly get into the worship, having difficulties connecting emotionally through worship music. Our traditional worship revolves around a musically talented team with contemporary songs, played with skill and passion. Nothing particular separates our worship team from others, but what made today different? Half the team playing were from our weekly worship team, only with a banjo and mandolin added.

Is this a problem?  Should different worship pose a problem in worship?  I don’t know if I want to answer this question. For a split second a crazy thought came into my mind. What if the church intended to challenge the congregation today?

The type of worship experienced in every church often becomes a marker, a label describing the church. Musical worship represents a small and honestly, minor theological role in the church. Yet musical worship is one of the major debates today and a prominent reason someone picks one church over another. But what if worship was no longer a label, but an activity not only to commune with God, but to look past the worldly aspect of music to simply seeing God? What if it is a spiritual exercise, forcing us to find God in areas we like, or dislike? I don’t know how much I would like such an experience. Forcing me out of my comfort zone is not why I go to church! But a thought lingers in my mind, what if it should be?

The concept of community has been lost in much of the American culture, but the post-modern generation is attempting to revive this lost concept.  The majority of the world places much emphasis in family and the communal idea, yet at some point individualism conquered the West.

If you are wondering what who is a post-modern, I willingly admit, I am a post-modern to a T.  The typical characteristics are an emphasis on community, a struggle with traditional authority and a rejection of boundaries and stereotypes.  I feel my life has been a constant fight against authority, whether my parents, teachers, or employers.  My family calls me “the vagabond” for the vast amount of travels I have taken and my tendencies to move abruptly.  Options are a necessity.

The community aspect continues to grow in me.  Josh Elek, and old friend of mine would invite people to his house every Tuesday for a pot-luck fellowship night.  These times were some of the greatest memories I have from that time of my life.  The open house, fellowship, great cuisine, laughter, music, the warmth of friends; all bring a sense of warmth to my heart.  Once I lived in a place of my own, I quickly took and implemented community dinner to my life and the lives of my friends.  Some diners were followed by bible studies while other sand volleyball.  Regardless the warmth of friendship and fellowship flowed.

Looking back at my time in Columbia and now in Denver, community dinner weighed in the back of my mind, something my heart longed to have.  After a few weeks in Columbia, community dinner began; the idea of ministering to other students by simply spending time with one another outside of school brings joy to my heart.  As a person studying in seminary, I have needs.  I need ministered to.  I can’t do it alone!  Often I thought, in the past, ministers simply pour into others and he receives all his energy from his time with the Lord.  This is a lie which leads to ministers to burning out.

My post-modern mindset has helped me to understand this need, the need for community.  Without people come beside me at times to encourage me while others hold me steady through difficult times, I would be unable to continue without them.  For me, community dinner is a place people can receive love, fellowship, a place to put aside the difficulties of seminary and life to laugh and enjoy the company of others.  The post-modern aspect of my personality revealed this need, but I feel it is a need for every person, postmodern or modern.  We need the Lord.  We need each other.  We need community.

The last few blogs I’ve begun to open up more than I have done in the past.  It’s surprisingly strange that I do so here, on my blog where anyone can read my words.  Maybe because I don’t experience the possibility of open ridicule, or at least people neglect to take the opportunity.  Either way, I admit, it has become therapeutic.

The past few days have been wonderful.  After a rough week and weekend, I was in need of some blessings.  As the Lord often does, he graciously bestowed them upon me.  Monday morning I felt the Lord ushering me to apply for an open library job on campus, the one position everyone would love to have.  I threw my name into the pot, simply knowing the Lord will do as he sees fit.  Wednesday I interviewed for the position, within an hour I received a phone call offering me a position!  Quite a surprise.  I feel the Lord strongly calling me to build community at the seminary.  Thinking about working a job off campus, splitting my time here and there, the thought grieves my heart.  Being blessed with a position on campus, none the less one in the library where my job is talking and helping others, is a true blessing.

The next day, I had breakfast with a good friend of mine, quite an edifying experience for the both of us.  Lunch was spent with another friend followed by picking up the free couch I was given.  Through a local ministry, I became connected with a family looking to help another with the free couch.  The couch, which I am laying on as I type, is spectacular!  A sectional sofa, barely used which completes my apartment perfectly.  My friend told the family about my community dinners and how the couch will be used to bless others.  A smile glowed on her face.  My apartment has become a place of refuge rather than a place of stress. Today I picked up some African artwork professional framed, soon adding to the beautiful atmosphere of my home.

After becoming ecstatic from the blessing of the couch, I talked with the missionary direction for my denomination, catching up on my life and passion.  A great time followed with a friend over coffee, actually tea and hot apple cider thanks to Lent, talking about missions, life, the Lord, friendships and everything else.  The day continued to be great coming home to pray with my one lifelong friend.  A great day.

Stated simply, the Lord blessed me, in exceptional ways.  In life we experience good days and bad days.  Often times I become focused on the negative aspects of my life.  This is an opportunity to rest in the blessing the Lord gave me.  Why?  An elementary truth, because he love me.  My prayer rests in this, that he may help me focus my thoughts on his blessings rather than the difficulties in this beautiful life.