Ever Wonder Why?

I wonder "why" a lot. I mean, like, an inordinate amount of the time. Honestly, I'm nearly why-obsesseed.

So this revelation--the connection of "why dots" that follows--really took me by surprise. I wonder if what occurred to me has ever occurred to you.

DOT 1

Consider Amos 5:21-24, God speaking:

I hate all your show and pretense--
   the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.
I will not accept your burt offerings and grain offerings.
   I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings.
Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
   I will not listen to the music of your harps.
Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
   an endless river of righteous living.

As a church musician, it strikes a bit of fear in me to hear "away with your noisy hymns of praise" from the mouth of God.

DOT 2

It is rare for me to talk to someone who has been part of a church for more than a year or two who has not been hurt by that same church. In fact, I've begun to wonder if it isn't far more "normal" (typical may be a better word) to be deeply wounded in a community of Christ-followers than in any other community. As a guy who has been part of pastoral team leadership for years and years, this makes me very sad.

But hold on. Don't write me off as too cynical yet.

DOT 3

I recently heard a brilliant insight in a sermon from Bill Hybel's daughter, Shauna Niequist. In refering to the teaching of Jesus to Peter--and to us--that we forgive our brother 490 times. Not 3. Not 7. Seventy times Seven. 490. Shauna wondered out loud for us all: could this mean that God's honest awareness of human relationships is that we might offend one other around 500 times. Maybe that should reshape our relational expectations.

DOT 4

Christianity is relationally centered. World religions are based on teaching systems or belief systems. Ours is built on a relationship with Jesus and relationships with one another. It was Jesus who said the greatest commandments were about a relationship with God and our relationships with one another. It was our Savior who said that the world would be able to point us out by the outlandish love we demonstrate for one other. Surely this includes our capacity to forgive as we've been forgiven. (Which is, of course, undeservedly and unceasingly)

CONNECTING THE DOTS

In the passage you read from Amos a minute ago, God is sick and tired of people engaging in worship enthusiastically while treating each other dreadfully. Maybe the reason God will not accept our worship celebrations apart from living out justice and righteousness is because He wants those not yet redeemed to see us as people-people even more than as Jesus-people. 

Bottom line: you and I have a responsibility to make sure we are right with people just as much as we have the responsibility to be right with God. 

ONE MORE DOT
Matthew 6:33 is a pretty popular verse. You probably know it like this: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Well, an equally accurate translation would be: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice and all these things will be added to you."

So worshipers and worship leaders, let's treat one another with lavish love, respect and honor. And let's pursue justice. After all, we aren't worshiping to justify ourselves but because we've been justified by Jesus Christ.