One of America’s biggest past times is Baseball. Baseball games are widely popular all over the U.S.. Going to a game is a family favorite in some households!
Most people have at least been to one game, whether or not you actually like Baseball, maybe a friend dragged you, or you went because it was the only way you could hangout with that girl you liked because she was a huge Yankees fan and you scored tickets (do it, it’s not a bad idea).
Here is something interesting about baseball games however… the stadiums frequently feature family attractions that aren’t even part of baseball. Some have a Ferris Wheel, some might have a a family park next to it with a view of the game, mine has a zip-line over it, don’t get too excited, it’s the lamest zip-line in history. However, this is crazy: The Arizona Diamondback’s field features a pool that you and 34 of your closest friends can rent out for only $6,000 a game!!! WHAT?! In my opinion that’s ridiculous.. it should be way cheaper so I can afford poolside seats next time I go to a game in Arizona (which is 1,494 miles away from me btw… hello midwest.)
Baseball games weren’t always like this. People used to go to actually watch the game. They wanted to be involved in the game and would have fun watching the players do there best out on the field.
People aren’t as interested in the game as they used to be, it’s more about the “experience” of going to a baseball game. They don’t even pay attention to what’s happening. It used to be all about watching the game but now it’s all about the experience of going to a game. You’re missing out on the purpose of the game and are more interested in just having a good time.
Now here’s the connection for my churchy readers:
The last time you went to a worship service with music and a band or just a single singer, whatever it was, where was your mind? How many times did you question the song choices for that service? What about that guitar player who seems to have WAAAY too many solos? What about that time the singer’s voice cracked while they sang? That’s always awkward…
How many times are we concerned with our experience during worship, rather than actually worshiping and singing praises to our God? Are we there for our performance of the week, so we can hear the songs that we like and listen to that singer who can really hit those hard notes? Or are we there to praise God?
Or maybe as soon as they start singing “The Stand,” your arms fly into the air and you fall to your knees? For my church, as soon as “Holy Spirit” starts playing the room explodes!
Check this out: John 4:24 says: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (NIV)
IN truth! That is Jesus speaking to the Samaritan women at Jacob’s Well. We live in a time where we are to worship and praise God truthfully and worship Him in our spirit!
I should say just briefly, you are not lessening your worship by connecting more closely with a specific song. Never is this a bad situation. There are always songs you will relate with closer to than others.
the point of all of this is to say that when you go to a worship service, avoid looking for your experience that service, look for how you can worship God with the words you sing. We are called to worship God in our Spirit and to be truthful in our hearts when we worship.
If you have questions or comments on this topic, PLEASE comment in the comments section!
I pulled this from a message given at my church this last Sunday and I wanted to share it with my readers.
