10/06/2017
So often we think that there is but one way that we are called, and that God has a set process for leading us. We somehow get in our minds that there is but one way to serve God, and that if we don’t fit into the biblical walk exhibited by one of the twelve apostles then we are not correct in our faith. In fact, we are all unique and so is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
“But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.”
Galatians 1:15-17 ESV
Paul tells us in this scripture that he walked with God in a new and exciting way. He had been called by God, learned and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, was saved by grace, and baptized, but that is where his walk took him down a different road... he didn’t go to Jerusalem to be with the apostles that came before Him.
Today we can go into almost any church within a specific denomination and experience the selfsame feel, liturgy, words being spoken, and habits being displayed. Yes they are each answering a call, but it is a call that someone heard a long time ago, and a Road that people continue to walk as they seek God. This is good, and that walk is just as alive today, but it reaches out, and appeals, to very specific people...
Paul went a new way to new people and built churches along the way that were comprised of those who heard the gospel according to the call that he had received, and responded to his voice. Let me explain this in a different way...
I really love certain songs, one of them is the Revelation Song. This song has been sung by many people in their own voices and in their own ways. If you listen to Kari Jobe it sounds one way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNbXrnV9wz0&sns=em
And if you listen to Guy Penrod it sounds very different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3IUqz10ARE&sns=em
Yet it is the same song, the same lyrics, the same scripture reference (Revelations 4:8). Each rendition gives us the same message but in a very unique way. This is what Paul did and we each have a special voice today.
There are those who like this voice over that one, or this musical accompaniment over that... perhaps a cappella, perhaps in a rock and roll fashion, maybe in chant, blue grass, gospel, or performed by a mariachi band, but regardless of the delivery it is the same song... the message that remains constant. When the walk is done... when the song is sung, when the service is over... when the bonfire burns down... we all find ourselves in the same place... in the arms of Jesus, and in the presence of God.
We spend a lot of time and effort separating ourselves into camps, but friends, we are all part of the same army, the same people, the same Church. The lyrics are the same in the song we sing. We might put a “yeah, yeah, yeah” at the end of a verse, or play a guitar solo in the middle, but the lyrics are there, and they touch our souls in wonderful ways.
The original church argued over circumcision, eating habits, and other such things, but in the end the word of God and the message of Jesus was what was deemed to be all important; not excluding people needlessly who adhered to the same Word and Spirit became paramount... And so it should be today.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the diversity in our voices as we sing the scripture, and I invite you into our midst regardless of the liturgy, music, language, or garments that we wear. Holy Father I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and the impact His life and message has on the world. You sent Him to reconcile us to you, and in that there should a commonality of Spirit... help us to find it Father. We pray to you in song, chant, and words, but sometimes we lose sight of how alike we are until we finally reach the word AMEN. This word is the same in every language and culture. We are so intent in listening for our own tongue or dialect that we miss the fact that they are all yours... until that one word unites us. Jesus, reveal the Father to us! Lead our spirits into the presence of God through the Holy Spirit and your teaching. Let each unique and diverse segment of creation sing out, even as the rocks would do in our silence. Father you are Holy and your Word is spoken in every language in the earth and in heaven. You call us from many places and in many ways... call us today Lord. Open our eyes to your Word and the fact that regardless of the way we are on, it is you who has called us, and walks with us. Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is, and is to come...
Saint, Saint, Saint, est le Seigneur Dieu tout-puissant, qui était et est et à venir (French)
Heilig, heilig, heilig ist der Herr, allmächtiger Gott,wer war und ist und kommen wird (German)
Santo, Santo, Santo, es el Señor DiosTodopoderoso, que era y es y está por venir. (Spanish)
Thánh, Thánh, Thánh, là Chúa Thiên ChúaAlmighty, người đã là và đến. (Vietnamese)
Kutsal, kutsal, kutsal, Rab Tanrı Yüce, kim olduğunu ve gelmek (Turkish)
Ιερά, Ιερά, Ιερά, είναι ο κύριος ο Θεός Παντοδύναμος, που ήταν και είναι και πρόκειται να έρθει (Greek)
Amen
Rich Forbes