Worship In Action

January 20, 2009

In talking about his album, “A New Hallelujah,” listen to what one of my favorite artists, Michael W. Smith, has to say about worship.

I’m very excited about A NEW HALLELUJAH. As a songwriter it’s always a challenge to come up with a new way to deliver a familiar message. But I always love the opportunity to talk about Worship. Because, I believe, it is a word that is somewhat misunderstood.

Sometimes we refer to our Sunday Morning Church Services simply as “Worship”. Or we refer to a particular genre of music simply as “Worship”. And neither of those are wrong definitions. But I’d also like [to] point out that a place or a service or a song is not the limit to what worship can be.

There is a woman I know that noticed a group of homeless people living under a bridge here in Nashville. It was on a Tuesday night and she was on her way home to make dinner. She figured, as long as she was going to make dinner for her family – she might as well make a little extra and take it back to the 4 or 5 people she saw under the bridge. With no pretense or media alert – she made a pot of gumbo and took it down to these folks. The next Tuesday – she did the same thing. By the third Tuesday – word had gotten out and a few more showed up. I’m sure you know where this story is going. THAT was an act of Worship.

Worship music has become an important part of what they do with the Bridge Ministry. But, honestly, it wasn’t music that drew these homeless people there on a Tuesday night. It was love and it was food. Music got ushered in because other needs were met. When the stomachs were filled the hearts opened up and music became a vehicle to preach the Gospel.

It’s no secret that I love Worship music. Music is a powerful vehicle to draw us into intimate worship with the One who made us. And that’s why I recorded A NEW HALLELUJAH. As a reminder to not let musical experiences limit our call to be the hands and feet of Christ. Worship God with song – but worship Him with action, too. Always look for a NEW way to Worship God. Not just vertically – but horizontally everyday.

I can relate, but I’d like to hear from you. What draws you into a more intimate relationship with God, and service to others?

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Posted by Darrin Bierwagen | Filed Under News

Comments

4 Responses to “Worship In Action”

Craigan on January 20th, 2009 10:49 pm

Worship is also a moment of shared faith. Here’s a story to show you what I mean.

I see retirees for memory trouble, but last friday I saw a college student. He had done poorly on his finals, which was unusual for him. He did just find on my evaluation, but we did a scan anyway.

I looked at his MRI yesterday and there was brain tumor. The last thing I was expecting to see. I knew he would be coming in this morning and just wasn’t sure how to break the news. When I walked into the room, he said he was expecting the worse, but wanted me to know that he was a Christian and that it was alright. I was taken back by his forthrightness. All I could say was, “Yes, we’re all in God’s hands”. He then asked me if I was a Christian and I said, “Yes, I am”. Then he smiled. The tension and fear left the room.

I knew what I had to share would change his life forever. But it wasn’t easier to show him the scan and explain it all, knowing we were both trusting to a higher power in our time of need.

It was a moment of worship, a moment of shared faith and strength in the midst of life’s battle.
Darrin Bierwagen on January 21st, 2009 12:24 am

Yes, lifting each other up and testifying to God’s goodness is truly an act of worship. Thanks Craigan!
Marc on January 23rd, 2009 2:52 pm

The up side of a down economy is the sharpness it brings to our experience of the simple things. Simplicity in worship. Simplicity in action. Simplicity in relationships. I think this is what Michael W. Smith is saying, that music emerges spontaneously as more basic needs are met. And it’s all worship.

And as Craigan points out, even breaking bad news can be an act of worship.
Lisa_Gladden on January 25th, 2009 2:13 pm

I was touched by Travis’ teaching in Sabbath School on the Good Samaritan. We may not ofetn be in a position to find a wounded person along the roadside. However, the “walking wounded” are all around us. At work, I am seeing more and more patients, especially men age 35-55, who come in with vague complaints. Thier exam and labs are completely negative, but when I ask about what’s going on in their life, they break down. Many have lost a business that was successful for 25+ years, and had to lay off employess who have families. Many have lost their retirement savings and all they have worked for. Many have lost their homes, their families. Some have lost a loved one, or are losing a child to cancer. What I have learned is that I do more for the walking wounded by shutting my mouth, looking them in the eyes, listening, nodding my head, and even (frequently) crying with them. They have told me that this helps more than any prescription I might have written them. Often, they leave the office empty handed but feeling better.

The walking wounded are all around us: in our work, our church, and our homes. So many just need to be heard. I am learning to worship God by letting people know I am listening, and that I care. Often ,careing means I help in very tangible ways, such as bringing a meal, secretly giving a grocery gift card, or volunteering medical care. But most often it is simply listening, accepting, and sharing a moment of solidarity.