Thursday, February 28, 2008

Self-Indulgent Worship?

Recently, I've had a couple of ideas to use in worship that I have been really excited about. I think these are ideas that could make for a meaningful time of worship for people, and they were inspired by some experiences that I thought were pretty cool. I'm looking forward to trying these things out, but recently I've begun to wonder what these ideas would accomplish. Who are they for? In my mind, I picture them happening at a church gathering, and they go off really well, and I'm moved by them. I think it's good to be moved in worship, but why is my approach to worship based on what will be meaningful and moving to me? I suppose it is important as a community to express our worship to God, and consequently we want to do things that feel like they are from us, and not some pre-packaged, shrink-wrapped deal. We want to use our gifts to their fullest extent to give Him honor. But I think if I am honest, with these ideas, I'm not sure that was at the forefront of my mind.
I think having realized this, there is still value in exploring the possibilities that these ideas for worship may offer, but it's a little disconcerting to realize that my motivation was probably more self-focused than God focused. Granted, I'd be excited about the experience because I think it would help me focus on God and what my community is saying to Him, and I think that's important, and maybe that's ultimately why I thought it would be cool--because I think connecting with God in community is pretty cool. I am into profound experiences.
Maybe what I need to realize is that there is not a whole lot that I can do to "manufacture" profound experiences. Maybe I need to continue to ask God how He wants to be worshiped, and then do my best to go there. God is profound on His own. He doesn't need me to get the lights just right in order to show up.
I suppose, on the other hand, that it is good to break up the routine sometimes. We want to avoid going through the motions when we come to worship. Some of that probably has to do with programming, but a lot of it has to do with heart. When we gather for worship, we acknowledge that it is good to give glory to God, and we want to be able to do that no matter what, but we also recognize that we want to connect with God, and so connect is an important factor in gathering as well. Maybe it's self-indulgent to want that for ourselves, but if that's the case, I think it's self-indulgent in the same way that a husband and wife long to be together, and I don't think anyone is going to fault them for that.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Uh oh. You showed me your blogspot. I do like to sneak around on these things and comment every once in a while.

Jaron said...

I do like comments