"We're on a Mission…"
Yesterday’s post got me thinking about one of the single greatest scenes of pure worship on screen…and it was in a secular film, about two brothers, one recently released from prison, reuniting, discovering the need of their childhood orphanage to raise funds. To assist, they re-form their R&B / soul band.
Yes…I’m talking about Jake and Elwood…and in particular, the scene in the church, early in the film, when both discover that “We’re on a mission from God.” With the singing of James Brown, the congregants dancing, the choir with arms outstretched, it was a scene of pure unadulterated worship that I wish we could see in more of our churches.
Who said that singing to Jesus requires us to stand still with our arms at our sides, holding a bulletin or hymnal or merely reading the words off the wall in front of us? Why aren’t we whooping it up, jumping up and down for joy because we know that, to use the words of John Piper, “the chief aim of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him?”
I admit it is still tough for me to raise my hands or “whoop it up” when singing - I still find myself stuck in a more stoic position as I read the lyrics…not that there’s anything wrong with it, I might add…but I want to feel free to jump for joy, short of spinning cartwheels in the center aisle like Jake in that scene from the film.
Man…we’re on a mission from God every day! Yes, the Creator of the Universe has a mission for us every day! How cool is that?
So let’s whoop it up!
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By R. Sherman, March 16, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
A Caveat: The Greek words used to describe “worship” all carry the connotation of being prostrate before God in awe, and yes, fear of Him. I disagree with Piper that the object is for us to “enjoy” God. Rather, the object is to give to God the respect and allegiance to which He is entitled. There seems to be a shift, albeit subtle, from what we owe God to what we get out of the experience.
Thought provoking post.
Cheers.
By Will Robison, March 16, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
Randall adds an interesting twist to the argument. I wonder if there’s a way to be both in awe of God and enjoying God at the same time. Clearly God made the beautiful sunset - but I don’t believe He made it to remind us to fear Him. I think He made it to remind us of how wonderful life in Him truly is and how much He loves us. We can respect and honor our Father, but we should also not be afraid to praise Him loudly and jubilantly.
Andy, your post reminds me of what it feels like going to a U2 concert. Jubilant, joyful - I don’t want to sit down, I want to dance! And so much the better if I’m singing praises to God at the time.
By Gabrielle Eden, March 16, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
Reminds me of the 2nd Sister Act film and the choir’s performance of the Joy-filled classic worship hymn - now that is worship, putting the whole body into it!
By Andy, March 17, 2007 @ 3:09 am
Randall and Will - I think there is a capability for us to both be in awe and enjoy God at the same time…”enjoying” God in the sense that the “joy” we have in God is the “joy” of eternal life.
We do owe God our existence and for the mistakes (sins) we have committed in our lives, but we get the joy in our lives from God’s grace through Christ.
I think when it comes to worship and praise, we simply need to think of God first, not ourselves…and we almost ALWAYS think of ourselves first. Hence the musical wars.
Gabrielle…yep!!!!
By Dave Lamb, March 20, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
We wouldn’t want to get bogged down in semantics, but the concept of enjoying God goes way back.
The Westminster Shorter Chatechism was written in the 1640s. These people were not exactly the priase band types. But the very first question and response in the Chatechism says this:
Q: What is the chief end of man?
A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Now the question of enjoying worship is interesting. I have seen all styles from reverent formality to whooping and hollering. I somehow think any form of worship should be enjoyable to those who worship. Awe, reference, joy, laughter, tears. They all have a place in true worship.