Hand Raisers of the World, Unite!

This Sunday I’m preaching on the power of worship to transform the hearts and spirits of the worshipers. I’m not going to get into this too much in the sermon, but I have been thinking a lot about the phrase “comfort zone” that we sometimes hear in the context of worship. I wonder how much our experiences in worship have been hindered by a fear of doing something outside our comfort zone. Implied in that expression is that it’s not something wrong to do, it just makes me feel uncomfortable.

Raising our hands in worship is a good example. I don’t know of anyone who would say that the Bible teaches that to be wrong. If so, I would like to see that passage. But so many people either encourage others to not raise their hands, or don’t do it themselves solely because it is beyond their level of comfort. Why is that so? What is there about outwardly expressing our adoration to God by lifting our hands up to him or clapping that makes us feel uncomfortable?

Now it may be that this or some other outward expression just doesn’t do anything for someone, and that is fine. I would hope no one would ever feel pressure to do something that isn’t from their heart. But it saddens me that some people have a desire to express their hearts through an outward action, but don’t because they know there are people around them who would disapprove.

I have to confess I feel that sometime. There are times when I do feel self conscious about raising my hands or clapping because I know there are people who see me and probably react negatively. But most times, I don’t let that stop me. I would rather deal with that than to hold back in my praise to God. And maybe if more of us did that, those who are timid would be emboldened to let go of their inhibitions. I think that would be a very good thing.

R•E•S•C•U•E Rescue Aid Society

In spite of my concern that television has taken over way too much of our lives, and has impacted our society in probably more negative ways than positive, I have to admit that I have watched some amazing things through this medium. I saw Neil Armstrong take that small step for man, giant leap for mankind. I was there, electronically, when the Berlin Wall was knocked down. I even got to see the Rangers take the Yankees in six then go on to win the world series, beating the Giants in five. (A little blog prophecy!)

This past week would definitely rank as one of the highlights of television coverage, when over a billion people watched as thirty-three men were pulled from what might have been their tomb some 2000 ft below the barren landscape of Chile. If I would have had the time, I would have watched the entire event. I would like to have watched every single time as that capsule broke through to the air, sunshine, open spaces, and, of course, the embrace of loved ones not seen in sixty-nine days.

From the four or five rescues I did see, it occurred to me that what we were watching each time was, a reenactment of the gospel. A lifeline descended into the bowels of the earth to bring those living in darkness into the light. And each rescue was celebrated as if it was the first; each one made the entire effort worthwhile. Isn’t that what happened to you and me? Isn’t that what Jesus did when he descended from heaven to earth, literally inside the earth, in order to lead us home to God? And every time that happens, there is a great celebration in heaven.

In the days ahead, I hope we learn more about those men who rode the rescue capsule down into the mine in order to bring others out. Who are these guys? What was it like for them to watch as the capsule slipped below the surface of the earth? Can they describe the feeling of looking the trapped miners in the eye once they found them?

The reason I want to know more about them is because I think we are kindred spirits. Not just me, but all of us who have accepted God’s call to be an influence for him in this world (which, by the way, is everyone who has already been rescued). We go into mines. We go into the dark and dangerous places of this world in order to point people to the sun; to the Son. At least, that’s what we have been asked to do.

Here’s what I hope we don’t do. Get dressed up in our rescue clothes and put on our rescue gear, make sure the batteries are strong in our light source. Read up on how to rescue people. Go to a meeting of other rescued people who have become rescuers. But never go into a mine. All the while, people living in darkness are still there, still in need of the light, the air, and the warmth of a compassionate hug.

Who around you, this day, needs you to go in after them?

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Great to be blogging again. My plan is to have a new post each Friday. Hope you will share the journey with me.