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God-GodWednesday, January 2, 2008
John 1:26-27 Christ-followers are not Christ. John was not Jesus. He led the way but wasn't worthy to tie Jesus' shoes. John was talking about worship. Worship belongs to God alone. I have trouble staying in the tension of experiencing God as man and God as God. I want to go one way or the other. God-man sits "beside me" in church, walks with me through life every day. He/she speaks out of my thoughts and the voices of others. Many resemble him. Sometimes they are servants, sometimes they are the ones who hurt and weep and need. God-God sits on his throne and says, "I am. ... Whoever believes in me shall have eternal life." He/she is surrounded by worshippers from every age. I am in awe of God. I fall on my knees overwhelmed with emotion, afraid and overjoyed all at once. There is nothing conditional (or human) about God. God never changes. His love endures forever. God-man comes to me, calls me, touches me. He pays attention to me. His comfort and encouragement soothe my ego and soften my defenses. He notices what I need. He comes down to my life and world. But I have to go myself into the throne room. Make the choice to walk right in. I'm pretty intimidated. Like John, I'm not worthy. I'm afraid. I don't expect God to notice me, care about me ... in fact, God will not put me in the center of things. He'll stay there Himself. Is that OK with self-centered little old me? God's enduring love will transform me forever, but I have to say yes, somehow, and move toward Him. Worship makes that happen. It is God's gift to me, the interface He provides for me to enter His presence. Without worship I'd only know God-man, and that's not enough. Lord, I worship the ground you walk on. You are the king and commander, and your voice echoes throughout the universes. All glory, all honor belong to you. |
A friend, Steve Staggs, warned me against idolatry. He noticed a tendency to put my current heroes too high on pedestals, believe everything they say, think their behavior is always right. I did that with him, actually. He was very Christ-like.