Wednesday, May 5th is the National Day of Prayer Youth Edition at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA. I have been asked to join the team leading it to help with worship. What a privilege. To help prepare ourselves for that event Ben Murray (teacher), Dan Smith (worship leader), and myself (worship leader) have started a daily video blog. You can find my posts here and all of our posts at http://ndpthirty.blogspot.com .
My first post is about the questions we ought to ask ourselves as we enter into a time of worship. I was reading thru Matt Redman’s Facedown book and was struck with is reference to Isaac in Genesis 22. Abraham is making the journey to Mt. Moriah with his son Isaac to build an altar to worship God. When they get to the place of worship and build the altar Isaac asks, (vs.7), “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” In other words it’s like saying, “The stage is set, the band is ready, the lights are bright, and the crowd is huge, or as Isaac said, the “fire” and “wood” are here…this is going to be awesome.” But something is missing? Where is the sacrifice?
One important question to ask ourselves in worship is “where is the sacrifice”. What will I offer or bring to God in worship? As a worship leader, my hope is that our worship be a genuine response of gratitude in view of what God has done for us thru Christ.
Today was a great day! Our church (Community Fellowship Church) officially welcomed Bobby Parschauer as our lead pastor. Leading up to this monumental day I met with Bobby multiple times to plan and prepare for such a time. I was truly encouraged by his heart for those in attendance to walk away with a sense of God’s faithfulness more than anything else. What a guy.
As I considered what songs to accompany such a theme I was reminded of a time when Bobby and I met to worship thru a song I was in the process of writing. I had been spending time reading thru the story of Abraham and was overwhelmed by his commitment to follow after God even without knowing where it would take him. I can only imagine the obstacles to such a decision. Where am I going? How will I know when I get there? Will I be taken care of? As Bobby and I sat with these questions and most of the lyrics there was one piece missing. The chorus called out with, “I will follow You, wherever You want me to…I will follow You.” There is no doubt in my mind that a missionary from Austria who found himself in Lancaster PA filling a lead pastorate position could relate with Abraham of the Old Testament. With a prayerful heart Bobby finishes my incomplete chorus with “I know You will see me through”. These words felt right coming from one who had trusted his whole life to the leading of an all-powerful God. Now, every time I hear or sing this song I am reminded of that collaborative moment and that God is faithful. Here are the words to the song, “I Will Follow”. The CD will be available soon.
V1: whatever the cost / whatever the future holds / wherever you lead me / wherever you go / i hear your voice calling out / CH: i will follow you / where you want me to / i know you will see me through / i will follow you / V2: i’m leaving behind / everything that held me down / where I was losing / now I am found / B: to the broken and the weak / send us out God to those in need / speaking truth bringing love / with only words is not enough / use my hands use my feet / let your kingdom come
Deciding to enter the world of blog can be a strangely therapeutic and self-reflective venture. What will i say? Who will even read? Why take the time? Does it matter? What’s my purpose? As I thought about these questions I was reminded of a story I recently read from Scripture. It comes from the teachings of Jesus in Mark 4. Jesus had begun his earthly ministry and large crowds of people were traveling from distant lands (some up to a 3 week’s journey) to sit under his teaching. Mark 4:1 says, “again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’sedge.” I like the context that is found in this passage. Crowds so numerous that Jesus couldn’t even stay on land. A people with great expectation longing to see and hear the Son of God, maybe even shake his hand, touch his garment, or even experience genuine spiritual renewal.
I decided to title this blog “the water’s edge” because I too have a desire for renewal. Even though I don’t have to physically travel to see and hear Jesus, I wonder if I would. Would I trek across treacherous landscapes for the chance to find him? Am I hungry? Thirsty? yes.
It is at the water’s edge that we hear his voice speaking truth about grace, forgiveness, salvation, and life. We see his face. We see his glory. But the water’s edge is not an end. It is a beginning. Ultimately, I don’t want to merely see and hear Christ, but I want to embrace Him and apply what he has taught. I want to dive in the water and chase after him with a sense of urgency and holy expectation. How about you? My hope is that this blog, which comes from one at the water’s edge, will encourage you to stand alongside.
