Equal to the Task

My worship ministry class is amazing. We read the first chapter from the book Created for Worship by David Jackman and it had a lot of really good stuff to say--however, it was a slightly tedious reading so I'll skip to the two main, profound thoughts for me:

1. "The people of God are empowered by God in the context of their worship and in the ministry of the Word and Spirit that forms the matrix of their life as the worshipping community of God. Conversely, the discussion of idolatry throughout the Bible is predicated on the assumption that those who worship idols are seeking power from them, either for such blessings as fertility and fruitfulness, or for victory in battle and expansion of their empires. In this way the Temple-Sanctuary of God is the place of his people's protection and empowerment, while the temple-sanctuaries of the idols exist as sinful alternatives to this place of true empowerment." This was big for me because it gave me a whole new perspective and understanding of the degree of the severity of idolatry. I mean--the fact that I would choose to worship something/someone other than God is bad enough--but once I started to understand what a dangerous place that puts me in made me want to not only worship the right person, but it made me want to do it whole heartidly. In light of how big of a deal worship is, I am begining to think that a lot of the inner struggles in life, the struggles going on around us that we don't see in the spiritual realm are a batle for who we worship--worship including Sunday mornings from 10-11, our life style, the essence we live our lives out of, our church activities. Wow.

2. The book also talks about Jesus's role as a Davidid King, Priest and Second Adam etc.It talked about how one of the major responsibilities of the King of Israel was to lead the people in right worship. "His mission as the great Davidic King would hinge entirely on His worship of God. Its successful outcome woul be a worshipping people, led by His own faithfulness to the throne of His Father." Now--I'm not Davidic King or anything--I don't lead nations in worship--but I started thinking about my own role in leading worship and realized that in order to be the best worship leader I can, I must first be the best, most dedicated worshipper I can. In whatever worship ministry God places me in will "hinge entirely on [my] worship of God--led by [my] own faithfulness to the throne of [my] Father." This makes me breathe a little easier because it's not about me having all the skills and abilities and answers--but at the same time--knowing that my personal relationship with Christ will effect the success of my ministry is a humbling, exciting, overwhelming, challenging and intense thought.

These have been my thoughts the last few days. In church last week, the speaker encouraged us to ask God two questions "What can I do for You?" and "Lord, please make me equal to the task."

Indeed, Lord--make me equal to the task.

2.

The Most Perplexing Verse Ever

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

I think that has got to be the most perplexing, frustrating, comforting verse in the Bible...at least it is for me right now. I mean, really, "Be still and know that I am God."...what am I supposed to do with that? There is no tangible way to be still and just know something. I mean yes, you can slow your daily pace, make time for God, for some people, God uses this verse to call them out of the daily grind of ministry--but for me it's not about that. And I don't what it is about. This verse has been coming up in conversations, devotions, class assignments...everywhere...for around 8 months and I just don't know what it is God is trying to tell me through it.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.

What does that mean? I know what the stinkin' English words mean, but what does it mean for me? There's such a comforting sense to the verse in the assurance that God is God and we are not--but at the same time what does that leave us to do?

Be still and know that I am God...

ok. and then.....?

God still loves you....

I don't even use the blogger site much...but I can't go to bed yet 'cause the roommate is on the phone SO...may I just recommend the book Victory Over the Darkness by Neil Anderson to everyone? I had to read it for my worship ministry class and it is fantastic. I could write books on each of the chapter of his book--but the most profound thought that I was left with is really a simply one, one that everyone knows subconsciously but it hit me hard this week:

"When your walk of faith is strong, God loves you. When your walk of faith is weak, God loves you. When you are strong one moment and weak the next, God still loves you."

It's a good thing, because I go back and forth between strong and weak a lot. But I am learning that that isn't necessarily a bad thing.