Good Morning, it is getting close to noon here in Kraków, Poland. It was delightful to sleep in a room filled with fresh, cool air. I had napped yesterday afternoon. This morning I awoke feeling deeply refreshed and more well rested that I have felt in about one month. My old body simply does not endure the heat nearly as well as it once did. People who do not travel from temperate climates to Equatorial Africa often do not realize how draining it is on a person. One is continually hot and sweaty. One is continually on alert for: mosquitos; malaria; petty theft; the need for toilet paper; contaminated water (not only for drinking but also for brushing ones teeth); contaminated foods; cultural traps; problems with translations; AND for all of those same problems that might affect another team member. Just the emotional wear and tear of being continuously on alert for so many unusual dangers is in itself tiring even if you do not seek to accomplish anything. If, in addition, one is speaking 2-3 hours at a time through a translator (sometimes through 2 translators) and that twice each day, one necessarily learns to completely rely on God's grace. It is simply not reasonable to believe that one person can do these things without generous portions of grace.
As you read these reprises, please allow for the fact that our time was so full and with so many things going on that I may have mixed up the order of things. I am more trying to give you a feel for it than trying to create an historical record.
That first evening in Benin we went to a group we have been with several times before. It is a very successful church organization. They have built a beautiful building. They are well organized. The principle leader is wise, thoughtful and generous. The people are very effective in accomplishing all the goals taught in any good church growth seminar. The staff is alert and thoughtful. They take care of their people well. This group took the lead in raising local funds to help Bruno and his family with medical expenses. And yet at the same time they all received us and our teachings about the relational church with open hearts and great enthusiasm. They are plainly showing signs of great growth and development in building relationships. Some are even beginning to practice the concepts of disciple-making. I am watching with fascination to see what God does. They continue to receive us and honor us greatly. Starting Monday night then Tuesday morning and Tuesday night we taught a three message series.
The first message caught me by surprise. Holy Spirit led off with an extended warning to His people about the dangers of our emotional addictions to religious worship experiences. For many people, one goes to worship services; there one finds the ecstasy of high praise and worship to be an intoxicating release of chemicals in the brain. The euphoria is wonderful, relaxing, even refreshing. Then the meeting place is left behind but the residual feelings continue for hours or even days. But, alas, the feelings begin to ebb. One feels less and less close to God. One begins to hunger to again be in the presence of God. So one goes back to another meeting. Again the musicians perform their magic. Once again one finds the ecstasy of high praise and worship. Again the euphoria is wonderful, exhilarating and refreshing -- ahh so deeply satisfying.
So, what is the problem with all this ? It is all based on a fundamental LIE ! If we are sons of God, we do not find the presence of God in a meeting. We carry the presence of God with us every moment of every day. If we are sons of God, worship is not based in music. Worship is the fundamental nature of life for us. The meeting emotional euphoria is a carefully crafted addiction manufactured by the spirit of the imposter christ. It becomes a substitute for real ongoing connected relationship with Jesus. It is a substitute for living only doing what Father is doing and only saying what Father is saying.
Do not mis-understand, there is nothing wrong with having exhilarating euphoric praise and worship. In the same manner there is nothing wrong with a married couple having exhilarating wild and passionate sex. But, when a marriage is reduced to satisfying the needs of one sexually addicted partner or the other. It is no longer a healthy relationship.
It is time for the Bride to be seeing far more of the character of Her Bridegroom than His ability to satisfy Her desire for worship. The oft repeated lie that we were created to worship is still a lie. We were created to become a complete Bride to Jesus.
His, thus Yours,
Stuart
1 comments:
well said, although this pills requires a few hard swallows to go down.
Euphoria vs. steadfast and relational fellowship practiced beyond the meetings is a rhinestone where a diamond should be. Too bad that we accept reflections over the real thing.
We would be well advised to get used to the real item here and now since this will be the eternal condition when Jesus returns and assumes His rightful rule.
Do you think we will undergo an orientation phase when we arrive home?
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