"But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way." John 4:23 (NLT)
A young lady I know well recently made an honest confession concerning the fact that she felt awkward about crying in church. Without much hesitation, my response came fast. It wasn't something I'd rehearsed or memorized, but instead something I'd lived well enough to know first hand and that was also well experienced in my own life and heart...
"Tears can be a wash for the repentant soul, an honest expression of being overwhelmed by the beauty of our Creator's presence, the application of soothing healing waters to a wounded spirit, the present evidence of true gratitude, the waterfall of uncontainable joy or the overflow of the deepest affection... and sometimes in the Lord's presence, all of those things at the same time - each one beautiful in His eyes."
Her confession made me think more broadly afterword about a question that might find a home with a number of Christ's followers. I'm solidly convinced that our God's passionate about honesty and sincerity. So why is it, knowing that Jesus Himself wept, that we might find some reason for shame in displaying tears among God's own dear family? We're all on the same path - following Him in an effort to become more like him and are all subject to His work in us. Right? Our Christ-like compassion and understanding as well as our championing of Godly courage should be present and as collected as we are together there. So the atmosphere in His presence should be ruling and as safe as any to be found anywhere. Our gathering should provide room for a safe and comfortable atmosphere and an alter on which to be honest.
In the weekly gathering tent we call "church" we come together as members of one true and eternal family - God's. We may or may not come with an agenda when we come. We might come with the intent of bringing an offering of worship, or of furthering our understanding of our Lord through the instruction of a trusted teacher. Perhaps it's the support of our brothers and sisters who trod the same narrow and sometimes trying path we're now on that we might be hoping for. But whatever our reason, be assured that the Lord has His own agenda and in His plan our honesty and sincerity are key elements and sometimes necessary ones if we're to prosper from His work in us. So when we're moved by the Holy Spirit, it's important to yield to Him and have no shame in responding honestly. If we feel restricted, it's important to ask why - sometimes the answer to that question alone will bring about the Lord's intended and needed change in us or at least lead our focus to it.
Jesus didn't let the humility of His arrival here or the humble life He lived on earth cause Him any shame. He didn't let the idea of surrendering Himself to what mankind considered a most "shameful" form of death stop Him from saving you and me. Shame seems to be something humans share among themselves, but not something anyone could use in describing our Lord. In everything He's been honest, courageous, strong and at the same time humble, without any regard for human occupation with shame...
...I pray our interactions in response to Him can come to be the same.
Whether it's lifting our hands in praise, adoration and worship, raising our voices to sing His praises, crying when moved by the Spirit, or answering someones questions about Christ,...
...may we be honest and sincere without any regard for the potential barrier of human shame - as honest with Him as He is in His passion for us.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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