Who Will?

“But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, ‘Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!’ He replied, ‘If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!’” (Luke 19:39-40 NLT)

There are many things I love about worship at my church, but one thing that stands out in my mind is the freedom we have to sing exuberantly, raise our hands, cry, basically whatever the Spirit prompts us to do. It’s always “decently and in order,” but no one is ever going to tap you on the shoulder and say: “Hold it down.” And please don’t misunderstand, I’ve never sensed that anyone was “out of control,” only under the Spirit’s control.

Personally, I’m not nearly as expressive as some of my brothers and sisters, but I don’t complain. In some ways I wish my personality would allow me to be more expressive. I’m not in any way suggesting that anyone should seek to draw attention to themselves and or distract others. I’m just saying if God’s people can’t get excited about worshipping and honoring Jesus, who will?

Corky Calhoun wrote: “If we can’t be passionate about God, and exuberant in worship in church, when and where else in the world will it ever happen?” Of course, there are many other ways to honor God besides corporate worship. As followers of Jesus, we should exalt His holy name through our speech, in our work ethic, in how we drive, how we love our family and others, how we teach our kids about Him, how we take care of ourselves and our possessions, and in many other ways.

It’s admirable to me to see how easily someone who loves Jesus will allow Him to enter their conversations. A dear friend always asks his waiter/waitress their name and tells them he’s going to pray for his meal, is there anything they’d like for him to pray about for them? Sometimes they say “no,” but it’s interesting how many of them share a genuine concern. If we’re not going to do that kind of thing, who will?

Being an introvert it’s sometimes difficult to think of things to say to people, but I’m learning to look for ways to compliment someone. As often as I can, especially when eating in a restaurant, I leave a brief note and an invitation card to church, along with a generous tip. (P.S. If you’re not going to leave a generous tip, don’t leave an invitation card).

The daughter of a Pastor friend worked as a waitress. On one occasion she served six men from the same church. They were having some kind of meeting, so they were at the table longer than usual and were very demanding of her attention. When they left, they didn’t leave any tip, only a tract with the church’s address and times of service. Do you think that inspired her to attend their church? Would it inspire you? A side note, it did inspire her dad to pay the pastor a visit (and he’s a very large man). 😊

What’s my point? If you’re not going to live or act like a child of God, don’t bother to tell anyone you’re a believer; however, if your heart’s desire is to live a life to God’s honor and fame, don’t hesitate to tell everyone you meet. If, as a lover of Jesus we don’t share what He means to us, who will?

On the other hand, we can’t be obnoxious, “in-your-face,” but kind, considerate, loving, and caring, being attentive to how they’re receiving what we’re saying. Our goal is to make a friend, not an enemy.

Food for thought.

Blessings, Ed 😊