I try not to fuss or spew anything negative on this blog but I need to vent for a minute. Stick with me but you’ll most likely agree once I’m done. I think I speak for most all ministers when I say sometimes you just want to punch the devil in the ‘FROTE’ (nice spelling, huh? Or ‘throat’ if you want to be a little more civil, ha!). Now I realize we all have seasons that tend to be a little harder than others. Been there…..done that. Got the t-shirt to prove it. Recently, while in a church service, we (my church) were singing a worshipful song. I looked to the congregation and they were staring blankly at those of us on the stage. I looked at those on the stage and they were staring blankly at the congregation (Sorry church, I’m telling on us). Instantly I realized as the body of Christ we are simply NOT doing our job. I’m not just talking about my church but THE church…the body of Christ.
In that moment I felt the Holy Spirit say, “My church should be Paul and Silas to the world.” I instantly knew what that meant and I wanted to share that with you. The story of Paul and Silas is one of my favorites. I have always loved the idea of Paul and Silas sitting in a jail cell singing praises while bound with chains, with no hope of a positive outcome for their future. It seems like the perfect example of the church. We serve the Almighty King of Kings yet we still have the same struggles and frustrations as everyone else. Just because we are HIS doesn’t mean we get preferential treatment. It would be nice but, lets face it, sometimes our problems seem to be worse simply because God is allowing us to be tested and tried (i.e. Job). Let me explain what I mean by being Paul and Silas. As they sat there with chains on their hands and feet, most likely feeling slightly defeated, they chose to lift a praise to God in the midst of their trouble. Reminds me of the scripture specifically about Job. He had the right idea when he said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” [Job 13:15] I have often wondered what Paul and Silas sang that had enough power to break chains. But then I realized it had nothing to do with their song choice and everything to do with the condition of their hearts. I firmly believe their hearts and spirits sang FOR them.
Whether you realize it or not praise is going to cost you something. It’s going to be a sacrifice-sometimes more than others. We see countless examples in the word of God. And when I say “sacrifice of praise” I’m not talking about choosing to come to church even though it was raining– or your clothes didn’t fit quite right but you decided to go anyway. We get too trivial with church. We only come when it’s convenient or many time simply out of habit. We have nothing we can offer the world except for our personal Lord and Savior. The world doesn’t need us, THE WORLD NEEDS THE GOD IN US!!! If we’re not carrying Him to others we’re ALL in trouble. That’s the basis of the Great Commission. A relationship with God calls for your death…..death to self. Galatians 2:20 states, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It’s time to die, folks. Are you ready to die??? REALLY DIE?!? The world NEEDS your praise. Those chains that are holding so many captive are HEAVY. Your praise may just be the Paul and Silas-type praise it will take to break someone else’s chains. Serving God has NEVER been about what you can get from Him rather what you can give to others. The Christian life is about servanthood, not serving your own personal desires. Your praise could mean life or death for someone. When Paul and Silas praised in that jail not only did chains fall off of their arms and legs but also everyone that was around them. Your commitment to Christ doesn’t just affect YOUR life. It should affect the lives of EVERYONE around you. YOU are suppose to be His hands and feet. Are you doing your part? The world NEEDS you!!!! Can I get an ‘Amen’?!?