During college I served in the Marine Forces Reserve. It was often said of us that we were "weekend warriors." However, upon being called to active duty in January of 2003, we "part-timers" showed up in force and proudly served our country at Camp Lejeune, NC with great honor and distinction. In fact we reservists (as a whole) vastly out-preformed our "Active Duty" comrads by a margin wide enough to drive a Bradley Tank through. Granted many of us had college and career experiences in which being overachievers is not an option. Yet Parris Island gave us no choice but to be transformed from the inside out into Marines through and through. In other words, though our duty as Reservists only beckoned our presence once a month, Parris Island called our hearts to attention every waking moment. There was never a moment we were (or are) not Marines. "Honor, courage, and commitment" flow through our veins long after we no longer wear the uniform.
"Please join us for worship today." "I like contemporary praise and worship." "Hymns are the tried and true choice of worship for the church." Such phrases are quite commonly heard in many churches today...and belies an understanding of "worship" that is vastly too narrow. Perhaps many of us are Worship-Reservists not only in deed but also in heart, showing up for part-time duty on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Scriptural worship, however, is vastly more consuming. The call of Jesus is for us to "present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1). Note Scripture's use of the phrase "present your bodies as living sacrifices." Such a radical call demands not only our church attendence, but indeed every aspect of lives being given over to God as worship. For the true believer there is never a moment when we are not in "worship." Loving God with all of your heart, soul, and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself continues to flow through your veins, long after you as a true believer leaves the church grounds. God is looking for a few good worshippers. Will we answer His call to duty?
"Please join us for worship today." "I like contemporary praise and worship." "Hymns are the tried and true choice of worship for the church." Such phrases are quite commonly heard in many churches today...and belies an understanding of "worship" that is vastly too narrow. Perhaps many of us are Worship-Reservists not only in deed but also in heart, showing up for part-time duty on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Scriptural worship, however, is vastly more consuming. The call of Jesus is for us to "present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1). Note Scripture's use of the phrase "present your bodies as living sacrifices." Such a radical call demands not only our church attendence, but indeed every aspect of lives being given over to God as worship. For the true believer there is never a moment when we are not in "worship." Loving God with all of your heart, soul, and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself continues to flow through your veins, long after you as a true believer leaves the church grounds. God is looking for a few good worshippers. Will we answer His call to duty?
2 comments:
Hey William!
Good word. I have been trying to convey this for years. Worship is not something we do, it is a lifestyle.
Keep up the good word, brother!
Michael Parnell
Hey Michael,
Thanks. Perhaps working and praying (which is work) together we can see good transformation in our area for Jesus!!! I look forward to this.
William
Post a Comment