I was perusing the bulletin for a service I attended recently and found that the pastor was doing a Lenten series called "Holy Habits". Intrigued, I read further. Each week was a different talk about cultivating habits such as prayer, confession, rejoicing, etc. When my eye fell on a session called "Belief and Worship", I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit. What is belief? What is faith? How are they different? Which one do we use (or should use) more?
Belief could be described as something you know. It's a knowledge thing, like a celebrity's baby name, or an athlete's team number. It's something that identifies the person or item being talked about. As Christians, we have our creeds and the Lord's Prayer, liturgies, doctrine, and the like. We like using these items to persuade Heaven to come down to us. It's very easy to say the Lord's Prayer. Most people are familiar with it, even if they aren't believers.The danger is when the words don't make the journey from the head to the heart. Now, I'm not saying that holy words don't have an impact. They have an amazing effect on a heart that has been torn (Joel 2:13). The heart that is open to Him can be fertilized by the Word when it is spoken.
However, when we believe with our heads, words can lose their meaning very quickly. We only progress so far in our walk because we can't reach God without a heart change. Much of our time in church is spent doing things for Him. Busyness is an American tradition. We wonder why we can't hear Him-we're doing all these things and saying these prayers for Him, right? Sadly, many of us fall away because we think that He is inaccessible to us. We've tried, and begged and pleaded to Him. Prayers are important-they bring our petitions before the Throne. Our songs of praise are important, as are the works that we do for Him. But God is interested in something far bigger than prayers and liturgies.
He wants us. He longs for us. He wants to hear every detail from our lips. He's the best friend that we can talk to 24/7. He's the buddy that you hang out with during your hikes in the woods. He LOVES to be with you.
When we only believe with our heads, we can miss out in that relationship. God is reduced to someone we contact only when things are bad. When all is well, we skip prayer time, a service there, Sunday School there, etc. But when we open our hearts, we can start walking in faith. Faith is taking belief and stepping out with it. Now, instead of just knowing the Lord's Prayer, it actually comes alive. Instead of a rote prayer, it becomes a tool to furthering our relationship with the One who longs for us. When we sing about the cross, it becomes real to us. Faith adds another dimension to our belief. It is this faith that pleases God the most (Hebrews 11:6). When our lives are turned upside down by trials, belief gives up quickly, because it can't be sustained. Faith gives us the ability to hope and have joy even in intense suffering, because we have faith that God is there and watching over us. Faith has substance: belief doesn't.
A man came to Jesus with his son. The boy had been possessed by a demon that tried to kill him by drowning or fire. The father was desperate. He believed with his head that Jesus was able to heal his boy. Presenting the child to Jesus, he said,"If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us". Jesus replied, "If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes". Immediately, the father exclaimed, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief"!
-Mark 9:14-27(paraphrase mine)
"If" is the word that says, "I've traveled far and wide to reach you. I have heard about your healings, but I doubt that you can live up to expectations". Jesus' reply shook him out of his head belief and opened the way to his heart. The man realized what he had said, and immediately said, "I've been believing with my head! Help me to believe with my heart!"
When we ask the Lord to take over, we need to allow His truth to soak into our souls. By thinking with our heads, we lose out. Faith deepens a shallow walk and upholds the believer at all times. We should always ask for more faith. He's delights in giving His children great gifts.
So now I ask you:Which is better: belief or faith?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
An Audience of One
I'll admit it: I wanted to throw up.
It was a cold Saturday in December of 2004. I had been primped and polished, my diction was as perfect as it could be, and every note fought for with the zeal of the Allied forces on D-Day. My brain was mush from memorization, my voice warmed up, and my feet hurt in my shoes. It was the day I'd spent four years preparing for.
Buoyed by the fact that I looked beautiful, I entered my stage to affectionate applause. With a swish of my emerald-green dress, I turned and faced my biggest fear: a roomful of people waiting for me to sing. I was officially responsible for entertaining a group of family and friends for a whole hour. Not just three minutes here, ten there, but an hour. This was my final-I had to pull this off to graduate.
Everyone said that I looked incredibly calm and poised. Did the recital go off without a hitch? Sadly, no. I started badly, but finished to a standing ovation. Elation took the place of nervousness. Most importantly, though, the fear of failure was put to rest, at least for a little while. At the end, I declared that I wanted to be a busker in the subways of New York. I loved performing in that moment. All the hours I'd spent paid off in a magnificent way.
The next few months brought student teaching and graduation. During this time, I'd re-dedicated myself to the Lord and was learning how to align my will with His. I'd started attending a new church and life was great. I immediately thought of joining the worship team-I mean, who couldn't use my voice? I sought the Lord on it. I laid out my plan for Him: I would sing with this group and this is what I could do for Him if I was able to do that, etc.
The Lord's answer?
"No, I can't use you like this".
At first, I was shocked. EVERYONE liked my voice. Everyone said my voice was great and they loved to hear me sing. Then I looked closer at my heart. I realized that I had cultivated a critical spirit towards my fellow musicians and singers. Instead of building up performers, I was tearing them down because everything wasn't note-perfect. I was trying to fashion worship to suit me, not to please the Lord. Once I realized that I was doing this, I repented and asked the Lord to show me what I needed to change. Again, the Lord shocked me by asking me to walk away from it for a time.
I wanted the Lord to use me, so I said okay. I literally shed my identity. I had eaten, slept, and breathed music for four years of my life. I made short forays into the music world during this time teaching and singing once in awhile. Mostly, I just waited for the Lord to show me what to do. I realized that He wasn't doing it to punish me. He simply had things to teach me. Things like wanting others to succeed, encouraging others, learning new skills, and most importantly, listening to Him and how He liked "His" music.
I recently joined the worship team at my church. As I was worshipping and singing to the Lord with the group, I heard a familiar sound. Applause. The applause of heaven. Whoops and cheers and yells and clapping-what a sound!
The applause of heaven is available to all who lay their wills at His feet. That applause encourages, steadies, and lifts all souls to heaven. It reminds us of what we're alive for.
After all, we are performing for the audience of One.
It was a cold Saturday in December of 2004. I had been primped and polished, my diction was as perfect as it could be, and every note fought for with the zeal of the Allied forces on D-Day. My brain was mush from memorization, my voice warmed up, and my feet hurt in my shoes. It was the day I'd spent four years preparing for.
Buoyed by the fact that I looked beautiful, I entered my stage to affectionate applause. With a swish of my emerald-green dress, I turned and faced my biggest fear: a roomful of people waiting for me to sing. I was officially responsible for entertaining a group of family and friends for a whole hour. Not just three minutes here, ten there, but an hour. This was my final-I had to pull this off to graduate.
Everyone said that I looked incredibly calm and poised. Did the recital go off without a hitch? Sadly, no. I started badly, but finished to a standing ovation. Elation took the place of nervousness. Most importantly, though, the fear of failure was put to rest, at least for a little while. At the end, I declared that I wanted to be a busker in the subways of New York. I loved performing in that moment. All the hours I'd spent paid off in a magnificent way.
The next few months brought student teaching and graduation. During this time, I'd re-dedicated myself to the Lord and was learning how to align my will with His. I'd started attending a new church and life was great. I immediately thought of joining the worship team-I mean, who couldn't use my voice? I sought the Lord on it. I laid out my plan for Him: I would sing with this group and this is what I could do for Him if I was able to do that, etc.
The Lord's answer?
"No, I can't use you like this".
At first, I was shocked. EVERYONE liked my voice. Everyone said my voice was great and they loved to hear me sing. Then I looked closer at my heart. I realized that I had cultivated a critical spirit towards my fellow musicians and singers. Instead of building up performers, I was tearing them down because everything wasn't note-perfect. I was trying to fashion worship to suit me, not to please the Lord. Once I realized that I was doing this, I repented and asked the Lord to show me what I needed to change. Again, the Lord shocked me by asking me to walk away from it for a time.
I wanted the Lord to use me, so I said okay. I literally shed my identity. I had eaten, slept, and breathed music for four years of my life. I made short forays into the music world during this time teaching and singing once in awhile. Mostly, I just waited for the Lord to show me what to do. I realized that He wasn't doing it to punish me. He simply had things to teach me. Things like wanting others to succeed, encouraging others, learning new skills, and most importantly, listening to Him and how He liked "His" music.
I recently joined the worship team at my church. As I was worshipping and singing to the Lord with the group, I heard a familiar sound. Applause. The applause of heaven. Whoops and cheers and yells and clapping-what a sound!
The applause of heaven is available to all who lay their wills at His feet. That applause encourages, steadies, and lifts all souls to heaven. It reminds us of what we're alive for.
After all, we are performing for the audience of One.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Kiddushin
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
"Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
-Matthew 26:26-28
Very simple words.
Nothing fancy. Just a rabbi and his followers, partaking of the Passover meal. It had been an eventful week. Jesus had entered Jerusalem on a donkey, disrupted trade in the Temple, taught many parables, and cursed a fig tree. This night found Him in the company of friends, the ones He loved. It should have been a time of rejoicing-they were celebrating Israel's deliverance from slavery.
Yet the mood was somber.The Passover Lamb was leading His followers through a story that they never witnessed before. The Lord had said that He would be crucified only a short while earlier. Now He had just taken the cup and the bread, saying that they were His Blood and Body. The disciples were probably quiet, pondering His words. In only a short time, one of the disciples would be dead, another overcome with shame, and the Lord would destroy death. The Bridegroom had betrothed Himself to His Bride-all that was left was to sanctify Her.
The word "kiddushin" is Hebrew for "sanctification". "Kiddushin" is used primarily for the marriage of a man and woman. But in this case, it was Jesus marrying Himself to His Church. All betrothals in the Jewish tradition were sealed with a glass of wine. The wine used was sweet, symbolizing the joy and abundance of the union. In the Lord's case, it symbolized the shedding of His blood to sanctify His people. The Lord knew this-I believe He did-that though His death would cause anguish to his Beloved, He also knew the joy and abundance that would come.
The Lord knew what was waiting for Him. He knew the price He had to pay. His bride price was His very self-nothing else would do. There was no way out. He broke the bread, and reminded them that though He would be gone, they should remember Him. Then He picked up the cup, the cup set out for Elijah to herald the coming of Messiah, blessed it, and reassured them that He would be with them again. On the eve of Israel's delivery from slavery, so the Lamb was delivering His loved ones from the clutches of death.
At the conclusion of the betrothal ceremony, the Chazan (groom) assures his Kallah (bride) that he would prepare a home for her. The Lord said that He has gone to prepare a place for us. If it was not so, He would be breaking His promise to provide for us. Each marriage was witnessed and drawn up with a contract (or ketubah). This was considered as binding as the marriage itself. This remained with the Kallah until the wedding night. Our ketubah is the Bible-when our Savior returns, our ketubah with be fulfilled.
Until then, we wait with hope. Come, Lord Jesus!
"Then he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
-Matthew 26:26-28
Very simple words.
Nothing fancy. Just a rabbi and his followers, partaking of the Passover meal. It had been an eventful week. Jesus had entered Jerusalem on a donkey, disrupted trade in the Temple, taught many parables, and cursed a fig tree. This night found Him in the company of friends, the ones He loved. It should have been a time of rejoicing-they were celebrating Israel's deliverance from slavery.
Yet the mood was somber.The Passover Lamb was leading His followers through a story that they never witnessed before. The Lord had said that He would be crucified only a short while earlier. Now He had just taken the cup and the bread, saying that they were His Blood and Body. The disciples were probably quiet, pondering His words. In only a short time, one of the disciples would be dead, another overcome with shame, and the Lord would destroy death. The Bridegroom had betrothed Himself to His Bride-all that was left was to sanctify Her.
The word "kiddushin" is Hebrew for "sanctification". "Kiddushin" is used primarily for the marriage of a man and woman. But in this case, it was Jesus marrying Himself to His Church. All betrothals in the Jewish tradition were sealed with a glass of wine. The wine used was sweet, symbolizing the joy and abundance of the union. In the Lord's case, it symbolized the shedding of His blood to sanctify His people. The Lord knew this-I believe He did-that though His death would cause anguish to his Beloved, He also knew the joy and abundance that would come.
The Lord knew what was waiting for Him. He knew the price He had to pay. His bride price was His very self-nothing else would do. There was no way out. He broke the bread, and reminded them that though He would be gone, they should remember Him. Then He picked up the cup, the cup set out for Elijah to herald the coming of Messiah, blessed it, and reassured them that He would be with them again. On the eve of Israel's delivery from slavery, so the Lamb was delivering His loved ones from the clutches of death.
At the conclusion of the betrothal ceremony, the Chazan (groom) assures his Kallah (bride) that he would prepare a home for her. The Lord said that He has gone to prepare a place for us. If it was not so, He would be breaking His promise to provide for us. Each marriage was witnessed and drawn up with a contract (or ketubah). This was considered as binding as the marriage itself. This remained with the Kallah until the wedding night. Our ketubah is the Bible-when our Savior returns, our ketubah with be fulfilled.
Until then, we wait with hope. Come, Lord Jesus!
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