I have attended worship services before where every minute was planned, filled and taken. Before one song was finished the guy leading the next prayer was already walking forward...one song ends and the next song begins with the next breath. Is it possible that when "do church" this way, there is no time for God to speak or move among His people? Do we even want God to move among His people during a worship service?
Granted the flesh wants to be entertained and can't stand a moment of silence. Why? Because the flesh is very uncomfortable during the silence after praise. Why? Because God tends to speak during that time and the flesh has no time for listening or obeying God. Why? Because the "religious fleshly self" wants the time filled with interesting God things but doesn't want to engage with God Himself. Why? Because deep down in each one of us, the flesh and Spirit are in a battle for our attention. Silence after praise and worship gives the Spirit the room to move and act for a while.
This reminds me of the statement: Don't just do something, sit there! It has been my experience that God likes some quiet, unplanned time to speak to me. After praise and worship, He waits until my flesh is quieted before He talks to me. Sometimes I have waited 5, 10, even 20 minutes before I felt His quickening my heart and heard his still, small voice. But the wait is worth it. To me, it is the purpose and reason for me praising and worshipping in the first place. God may not be near as impressed with our worship services as we might think He is if He is not allowed to move among His people.
So my encouragement is: Don't hurry God. Be patient. Don’t rush. Keep it simple. Allow there to be times of silence during the breaks between songs and prayers. Give God an opportunity to speak and work. You'll be glad you did.
When does God speak to you?
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//Granted the flesh wants to be entertained and can't stand a moment of silence. Why?//
ReplyDeleteVery good point. Even thinking about people at home, there's no one but them, yet they have to have some sort of music playing in the background because the silence is awkward. It goes along with what you're saying that if we fill every moment with something then it will drown out God's voice. Being alone and silent is healthy, even among people, someone can be lonely. I think that's one of the reasons why Jesus got up early in the morning and prayed.
Good point about jesus getting up early and praying...no distractions.
ReplyDeleteI think the flesh has a tendency to put itself first, get needs met, wants fulfilled...totally countering our desire for God, putting His will 1st.
I think God wants us to choose Him, and for us to do that, there has to be more pressing needs and motives of our flesh. For us to suppress that is to put Him number 1...we choose Him...as He chose us.