Think of something that you love to do and most likely there is someone you look up to that does the same thing...very well. For me, growing up playing basketball, it was Michael Jordan. No surprise there, as many a ball player would answer the same. I would try and emulate everything he did on the court to the best of my ability. From the talcum powder before the game (I'd use baby powder on my home court when I was a kid), to the shoes, to the long shorts, the first pump, the fade away (kinda) and on and on. He was the best and who wouldn't want to be the best.
As I get older (30 in May) I can see a day when I pay big money to go to his adult fantasy camp in Vegas (35 is the minimum age). I can see myself playing with him and against him one on one. What I can't see is me shouting at him. I can't see it. MJ is a man just like me, but because he mastered the sport which I love I give him much respect. I would feel privileged just to be in his presence on the court. Just to learn.
I wouldn't shout. I'd listen. Then I'd listen some more. I'd take in everything I could in the short amount of time I would have with him. It would be a blessing, a dream come true.
I'd play with passion, but I wouldn't shout. I'd give my all, but never shout. I'd show respect and simply be thankful.
It makes sense doesn't it. Maybe hoops isn't your thing, but think of something you love and I'm sure the same would apply.
Why is it different in Church?
Weekly I stand, at the same time each week, and listen to someone from the Church pray. Weekly it sounds about the same. Someone gets up and begins to pray with a ton of passion. Passion is great. Passion moves mountains. Passion doesn't equate to shouting or giving commands though. At least not to me.
We are such followers that we learn to "pray" by listening to how others pray. This is no different than any other thing in life. We forget what prayer is all about and it becomes a show. We must sound as good as the next. The best prayers are new Christians because they don't know "how to pray" yet. It's just heart, love and passion.
Mercy Me wrote a song called I Can Only Imagine a few years back and it says, "Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel. Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still. Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall. Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all. I can only imagine."
I feel if during any one of those prayers if Jesus himself walked through the doors the tone would change. I'm about 1000% sure that I wouldn't be able to speak. I doubt it would be about the show then.
My point is that if we wouldn't shout to someone who is no different than us, merely excellent at what they do, why would we shout to/at God? When someone is rich people treat them differently, but all the person who is wealthy ever really wants is to be treated like anyone else. My feelings are the same about God. He doesn't need the show. He KNOWS us. Why can't we just talk, pray, be in His presence like anyone else? If you were close to the rich man or woman you wouldn't treat them differently.
I'm writing all of this and I'm far from where I'll be one day. This isn't meant to be judgement, merely recognition of the traps we all fall into. I mean if there is a show to see, Church couldn't be a better place...but why any show at all?
Why shout?
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