Unworthy to Serve. Unworthy to Worship.

          As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently began reading Francis Chan's Crazy Love and I have been fascinated by it thus far. What I love about Chan's writing is that he presents the gospel from a different perspective. Having grown up in church my whole life, it is refreshing to hear something I've never heard before. It keeps me on my toes, and it keeps me intrigued.          
          This week God has blessed me in truly overwhelming ways, and I felt unworthy. I didn't feel unworthy in an "I've been too bad to deserve this" kind of way, but rather a "Who am I to deserve this?" kind of way. It was in that moment of overwhelming unworthiness and awe of God that I begin to read Chapter Six of Crazy Love. The whole chapter was very powerful and thought-provoking, but there was one part in particular that really stood out to me. It said, "Right now a hundred million angels are praising God's name; He certainly doesn't need to beg or plead with us. We should be the ones begging to worship in His presence." I was amazed at the power and truth in that statement. Many times we consider worship to be something we owe to God. The truth is we don't owe Him anything. He is the creator of all things, the rocks will cry out to Him if we don't. He doesn't need our praise, but He wants it. It is God's desire to see and hear our worship, my worship. He is surrounded by the worship of a hundred million angels right now, but He wants me. Who am I to bow down at His feet? Who am I to even enter into His presence?
          I'm taking an Introduction to New Testament course right now and I learned something the other day that really spoke to my heart about how truly unworthy I am. If you've ever noticed some biblical translations spell Yahweh with no vowels, YHWH. I learned that Jews spelled the name of God like this so that they would not be able to pronounce it. They felt as if they were too unworthy to speak the name of God. Even today, some Jews write the name of God with a dash where the "o" should be. They don't even feel worthy to write it. I am grateful Christ's death and resurrection tore the veil, giving us the ability to have a personal relationship with God. I'm grateful that I am able to speak the name of God and communicate with Him personally. But at the same time it is great to be reminded of how unworthy we truly are. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the reverence of God so that we can truly humble ourselves before Him.

         

"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things."

-Acts 17:24-25

          God doesn't need our service, but He wants it. He doesn't need our worship, but He desires it. And above all else, He is worthy of it. Let us humble ourselves before the Almighty God today and give Him all that He deserves. Let us lift unworthy hands in His presence. Let us reach out unworthy hands to help those in need. The God of this universe loves us beyond our understanding, and He wants to use us. Though we are unworthy, He has a purpose that He wants to fulfill through us.

Best Kept Secret

          The title of this blog comes from a song by Skillet. The chorus says, "You're the best kept secret of my generation, the best kept secret of all time. Your the best kept secret of my generation, and I found you out." It's a fun, upbeat song, and it's easy to just shout out the lyrics without really taking in the meaning. But how true is that chorus?! People have kept the light of Jesus hidden under a bushel for years, but on September 23rd 2006 God shined His light down on me. I didn't have to find Him out... He found me out! Of all the millions of people in this world - God chose me. Of all countries full of poverty, famine, and disease - God chose to place me in the USA. Of all the different religions and beliefs - God chose to place me in  a Christian family. Of all the spiritually dead, "religious" churches - God chose to place me at a church of believers who stand on the Word of God. Of all the places I could have been on a Saturday night - God chose to place me at that lock-in with my youth group. God chose me... It still amazes me when I think about it, so how is it possible for me to take it for granted so easily and so often?
          It's easy to read the Old Testament sometimes and criticize the Israelites for turning their back on God and worshipping other idols. But how are we any different? God has led us through wilderness, guiding us every step of the way. He has clothed us when we were naked, fed us when we were hungry, and given us water when we were thirsty. He has delievered us from our enemies, and allowed us to cross on dry ground. We are no different than the children of Israel, as a matter of fact, we are the children of Israel. God is leading us to our Promised Land. Our leader, Jesus Christ, is in the dwelling place of God. And rather than do His will until He returns, we have turned to false idols instead. I imagine one day soon God will command Jesus, just as He commanded Moses in Exodus 32, "Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves."
          What is the purpose in letting history repeat itself? God called us to be different, set apart. He has given us a work to do until He returns. He called us to serve, to be His hands and feet. He told us to go into the highways and hedges and compel all to come in. He comissioned us to go and teach all nations. But despite all that He has brought us through, we still remain silent. The words to Barlowgirl's song "Keep Quiet" suit this situation perfectly, "All the things I've sacrificed, so that I could bring You to this world. I want them to see You in me, but Your name just keeps them far from me. So I'll keep quiet, let's hope they see I'm different. Jesus, Jesus why's Your name offensive? Why are we so scared to tell this world You've saved us? When all of the hope of the world's in Your name, why are we so scared to say, oh Jesus... I'm sorry I cared about my name more than Yours. I'm so sorry, how could I hide You anymore? If I keep quiet they'll never see I'm different."
          Let's not keep quiet about our faith anymore. Let's not keep the saving power of Jesus Christ a secret anymore. Let's not keep Him hidden under a bushel anymore. Let's show the world that we're different... Let's let His light shine!