Since tomorrow's Sunday, I found some words from C.S. Lewis mighty thought-provoking when it comes to our attitude about church. How do we, well shoot, how do I, approach worship? Do I drive to church expectant and excited about what God has for me? Do we walk in the doors of church as if we were being ushered into the throne room of heaven...filled with awe at this unspeakable privilege? And enjoying this high and holy privilege with a bunch of people we love--wow!
Are we joyfully wanting to praise and glorify our Savior or are we petulantly waiting to be entertained and engaged?
It's so easy to fall into the trap of insisting that my needs be met, that my notions and opinions about everything from the music to the style of worship to the length of the message must be fulfilled to the fullest extent. Tragically, our often prideful insistence on "having it my way or the highway" has one of two outcomes: either restless and relentless church shopping (because we assume there's some mythical, perfect church out there somewhere that will meet all our exacting, rigorous standards). Or sitting in church but with our minds a thousand miles away....inwardly complaining about the temperature or the sound system or the meandering message
Geez, that's just so terribly wrong. And sadly, we're the ones who miss out on all God has for us, on all He longs to say to us, on all the ways He wants to equip, encourage, and strengthen us for the coming week. But how often do we forfeit all that supernatural manna with our inward negative chatter or our preoccupation with all the detritus of life (ever go through your to-do list in your head?).
So here's what Lewis wrote: "What He [God] wants of the layman in church is an attitude which may, indeed, be critical in the sense of rejecting what is false or unhelpful, but which is wholly uncritical in the sense that it does not appraise--does not waste time in thinking about what it rejects, but lays itself open in uncommenting, humble receptivity to any nourishment that is going...This attitude, especially during sermons, creates the condition...in which platitudes can become really audible to a human soul."
Once again, it's so often about our attitude, isn't it? And no one controls my attitude but me, myself and I! I can't control the circumstances around me, but I sure as shooting can control my attitude and response to those circumstances. We have the choice to come to church as joyful worshippers and grateful receivers of all that God has for us...or as preoccupied attenders and endlessly critical consumers. The path of blessing or cursing. And we choose.
Once again, our Lord never compels. Never insists. He leaves it up to us whether or not we will come to Him with humble love, grateful praise, and teachable spirits. O Father, help us to choose wisely and rightly this Sunday...and every day. Might we "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name." (Psalm 100:4) Might we choose blessing and life this Sunday and everyday by choosing You.
To God be the glory.
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