When I was preparing for the Race, one of the things, I was so excited about, was being able to worship with all the nations in their own way & language. Of course, one of my favorite memory is when I worshiped Him in a public place in a country that is almost closed to the Gospel. During this worship session, a couple, total strangers spontaneously stopped by and joined our worship. They might not know it but they worshiped Jesus that night.
By the way, when I started my Race, one of the things, I had to give up, was “worship.” – What we call WORSHIP. Sometimes, my squad squeezed in a squatting position at the end of a hotel’s hallway and had communion. Other times, I had to be aware what I said or sung.
During training Camp at the Eubank’s, Papa T, my squad coach, preached about “Remove the Ladder of LEGALISM as a Christian.” When he finished preaching, he asked us to get into small groups and share the things in our life and what kind of the Ladder we have. I think my answers were “praying”, “reading the bible”, and “going to church/worshipping”. I was born and grew up as a Christian. I was my church college group leader. Wherever I go, I always attend a worship service. – even when I have been abroad in countries like Japan, China and America. As I am, those factors are on my “Have To” list. If I don’t, they attack my guilty conscience.
While I stay in China, I had chance face one of my ladder. I worshipped “WORSHIP.”
I stayed outside of Beijing. In China, foreigners are not allowed to attend local church’s worship services but they are allowed to go to an international church. It is a two hour round trip by personal car from my lodging to International church. It costs 1/10 of my monthly living. If I wanted to use public transport, it costs 20 quai and takes over four hours for a round trip. For personal safety, I had to be with more than one squad-mate. Because the first option is too expensive and the other takes too long and would be tiring, my team decided to have our own quiet time and listened to a podcast together.
One Friday, another team from our squad who were staying at the same place as my team, decided to go to church on Sunday using a personal car. I asked them to take me to. It could have been interrupting to their team-time but they welcome me. That night, my team leader & treasurer, who looks after the team finances, told me the fare would be covered by the team budget. I instantly thought “the fare” should be offering and thank to GOD. I was so excited about everything.
Next morning, I became the one who has the most grievances in the world.
Scott, my squad mentor, kept in touch with both my team and the other team, and asked us to visit him in Beijing as he had just arrived. He suggested he would offer a nice dinner and good hostel. I searched internet where he stayed and found the place has an old church. Even the church has Korean-Chinese worship service. I was so tempted by everything; meeting Scott & having a nice dinner & private room & going out & THE CHURCH & THE WORSHIP SERVICE. But I had no choice. I was supposed to go to church the next day, Sunday. In my mind, I blamed everything. My team-mates were so excited to see Scott and his suggestions. I envied them. The main thing, I was upset about, was I couldn’t choose!!
Soon, when they decided visit him, my team went out for pray-walk as an Adventure day. As soon as I started to pray, GOD mirrored my mind. I was shocked.
To me, “Worshipping GOD” was not the priory. It wasn’t important. I wanted to “Go to worship”, “See how they worship”, and “See what their chapel looks like”. I was just curious about their International Christians. And I wanted to “Go to worship”, otherwise, I felt guilty for skipping worship service.
Not by GOD, but by MYSELF, I wanted to GO TO WORSHIP. WORSHIP had become my idol.
I was so embarrassed. I had to directly face my shameful aspect. I was terrible. Instead of facing myself, I just blamed him. When I realized what I did, I asked him for forgiveness.
That evening, I had the most wonderful evening with one of my team-mates, she had a cold for a couple weeks and decided to rest instead of going to see Scott. We were able to pray together; which we had postponed for more than one week.
Of course, that Sunday, God told me lots of things, which he had prepared for me. He encouraged me through the pastor’s sermon; he is a worship leader, so that Sunday was special. I experienced lots of grace and mercy. If I didn’t go the worship, It could have been a HUGE regret!!
I want to encourage you. Check your inside. And if you find something not right, bring it to him.
Sometimes, RELIGIOUS things could be your IDOL!!
[Let the church, the nation, and us as indicidual belivers rally the return to praise, to genuine bibical worship (to worship from the heart for God alone). May we shuck the tendency of tamenss and passivity, refuse the relentless pressure to stay with the pack to conform to the crowd (even the church crowd), and to identify with the status quo. We need to know that life is a battle won by decisions, decisions made in a moment but lived out in subsequent years. Let us choose excellence, value, glory! Away with costless compromise. – from The Hallelujah Factor]
*This post is edited by my Amazing Squad-mates ; the Brit Beth and Maggie.
http://bethanborrett.theworldrace.org/
http://maggiemcdonald.theworldrace.org/
*We will face the last fundraising deadline due at 1st July. Pray and Encourage US!
Kor Ver.
http://worldracefusion.org/worshipping-worship/
