Mock Worship

“They knelt down before him in mockery, pretending to pay him homage.” (Mark 15:19 TPT)

Mock trial competitions that simulate real court cases are popular in schools and colleges. These imitation trials allow students to role play and learn about the legal system. They dress up, prepare speeches, and perform their parts. Everyone involved is aware that they are pretending, but the participants still take their roles seriously. 

Mock worship is similar. In Christian congregations, groups of people gather together. There are plenty of roles to play--pastors, elders, deacons, parishioners, greeters, ushers, money counters, singers, sound and light technicians, etc. We dress up, make speeches, sing songs, kneel, stand, and sit at prescribed intervals. We pay homage to God with words, but our lifestyles rarely align with the Gospels.  Although most of us are aware of the pretense at some level, we maintain the illusions out of traditions. We fail to admit that we are making a mockery out of the teachings of Jesus. 

Spiritual Complacency

“Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don’t enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don’t be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.” (Mark 14:37-38 MSG)

On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus takes a few of his disciples with him to a secluded place to pray. While Jesus is immersed in the presence of God, His followers fall asleep! Jesus admonishes his disciples for their spiritual laziness. These men had left their jobs and families to follow Jesus. They spent years listening to Jesus, witnessing miracles, and sharing their lives with Him. Yet, at the crucial moment, they let Him down. They had entered into the danger zone of spiritual complacency without even realizing it. While parts of them were eager to do anything for God, other parts were smug and feeble. 

Try this experiment: Set aside one hour to pray silently. Notice how difficult it is to stay attentive! This is why most of us prefer entertaining worship services to quiet reflection. Perhaps we were once eager to commit fully to God, but after years of sitting in pews with other congregants, we have been lulled into self-righteous smugness. We have wandered into the danger zone of spiritual complacency without even knowing it. 

Going in Circles

“I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond measure, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual insight in all things.” (Philippians 1:9 TPT) 

I’m in the middle of training for another marathon. There are many logistical issues associated with running for several hours. Since I start before sunrise, I wear a headlamp and a lighted vest for the first part. I loop back to my parked car once an hour for water. I drop off the headlamp and vest and pick up my hat and sunglasses. This pattern continues until I reach the number of miles I need to do. My GPS watch maps my running path. It reveals how I run in circles. Even though my progress appears nonlinear, I am running the distance and growing in strength and endurance. 

When I was younger, I thought I would have everything figured out by the time I reached forty years of age. Now, at fifty-two, I am still going around in circles. I thought growth would look like a positive trend line on a graph. Instead, it has been cyclical. Every few years, I find myself looping back. I take time to reexamine my priorities and reevaluate my beliefs. Some ideas that are no longer functional are left behind. New concepts are incorporated before I move forward into the next phase of life. Even though my progress appears nonlinear, I remind myself that I am still growing in empathy, compassion, and spiritual insights.

Super Intercession

“The Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26 TPT)

Why do we sigh involuntarily, especially when we feel emotional? 

Sighing is defined as an audible exhalation. During normal breathing, there are times when the alveoli in our lungs collapse spontaneously. When we sigh, we take a deep breath which reinflates these alveoli. Although this occurs naturally several times an hour, we tend to sigh more when we are anxious or relieved, because the parasympathetic nervous system seems to trigger more breathing as a way to de-stress. Our body is aware when it needs extra help. 

Our spirit is aware when it needs extra help, too. During times of weakness and vulnerability, when we don’t even know how to pray--the Holy Spirit takes over. The Paraclete triggers our soul to inhale. We gasp for fulfillment. The Breath of God rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf with emotional sighs too deep for words. This supernatural intercession is beyond anything our minds can grasp. 

Humble Disciples

“Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled himself and became vulnerable.” (Philippians 2:7-8 TPT)

I am currently listening to the podcast series: The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill by Christianity Today. At the time of this writing, I have listened to the seven episodes that have been released; there are five more to be published in the upcoming months. Although it may be premature, I feel compelled to share some of my thoughts on this profound piece of journalism. 

 The series provides an in-depth look at some popular Christian movements and leaders from the last fifty years. It specifically addresses the meteoric rise and fall of certain pastors and megachurches. However, underlying this main story arc, there are some complex concerns. 

Why are we as Christ followers enamored by prideful leaders? 

Why are we willing to overlook character flaws if someone is affirming us?

Jesus was known for his humility. He emptied Himself of glory to become vulnerable. He voluntarily abdicated his power and shared in human frailty. Christ asks us to be humble disciples. He calls pastors and leaders to be good shepherds who guide with love and compassion. Jesus modeled the role of servant leader. He was not a CEO who built megachurches . He was not a macho man who exerted power over others. 

I realize that I have played a part in enabling some of these leaders and their ideas. I have espoused and perpetuated beliefs that do not align with Christ-like character. I apologize and ask forgiveness for my misjudgment. 

 

 

Mis-Leaders

“There will be imposters falsely claiming to be God’s ‘Anointed One.’ And false prophets will arise to perform miracle signs, and if it were possible, they would cause God’s chosen ones to wander off the right track.” (Mark 13:22 TPT)

Church membership has been steadily declining in the United States over the past few decades. The pandemic has further precipitated changes in routines. The habit of weekly worship with a group of like-minded people does not seem essential anymore. Moreover, the word ‘Christian’ no longer represents a follower of Christ’s teachings or one who aspires to Christ-like behavior. In a recent survey, the characteristics most associated with Christians were: hateful, judgmental, and hypocritical. 

It breaks my heart to see my Lord being misrepresented.

Jesus warned that there will be imposter pastors and misleading leaders. Unfortunately, there are congregations who continue to follow charismatic celebrities who claim to be God’s ‘Anointed One.’ But their numbers are dwindling. 

Traditions, habits, and social groups are difficult to relinquish. Even so, there are many who no longer want to be associated with what they see as hypocrisy in organized religion. Their withdrawal arises from conviction, not convenience. They cannot ignore the incongruence between the militant mis-leaders and Christ. Thus, they are leaving churches so that they may follow Christ. 

Unsubscribe

“No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don’t put your wine in cracked bottles.” (Matthew 9:16-17 MSG)

My email inbox had been inundated with impersonal messages. At some point, I must have given my address to these groups. I was no longer interested in whatever they were marketing.  Deleting these emails was not enough, as new ones continued to pop up regularly. I had to take the extra time to open each of these emails and unsubscribe. Although it took some effort, it felt freeing to secede from these groups. 

This got me thinking...

What other associations and ideologies do I need to detach from? Have I been patchworking new awareness with old belief systems? Am I putting fresh insights into cracked paradigms? Merely ignoring misconceptions and misinterpretations has not been enough. The consequences of systemic biases keep popping up. Before I can unsubscribe from these dogmas, I have to open each of them and examine them carefully. This is going to be uncomfortable and time-consuming. 

Personal Bravery

“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” (Habakkuk 3:19 AMPC)

I feel like I've been rowing a boat across an ocean. I've reached a new territory, but I am reluctant to let go of the boat that got me thus far. Instead, I continue to hang around the landing spot, waiting for the courage to strike out into the unknown. 

According to sociologist Brene Brown, we learn courage by couraging.  We all express bravery differently. One person’s default is another person’s courage. 

For example, when I feel wronged, my default setting is to react and speak up immediately. I have noticed some others do the opposite--they retreat and avoid conflict whenever possible. Couraging requires us to let go of the usual way we handle situations and practice new and uncomfortable habits.  

I have been couraging more lately. I draw on the Lord’s strength for my personal bravery. I approach challenging situations with the nimbleness of a deer. I am learning not to react offensively or defensively, but with trust. My spiritual progress is dependent on following God’s lead. Every day brings new understanding. Growth requires an incorporation of these revelations into my daily choices and releasing previous roles and habits. 

Marketplaces vs. Prayer Spaces

“He stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.” Mark 11:16 NLT

Most churches are run like businesses these days. Pastors and leaders act like executives who measure success in numbers. How many tithing units? What is the weekly collection? What programs attract more consumers: coffee shops, children’s programs, entertaining music, bookstores? What kind of promotional materials would be best for marketing? How can we raise more money for bigger buildings and higher salaries? 

Jesus had something else in mind. 

“My Temple will be called a house of prayer.” (Mark 11:17 NLT)

How rare it is to find a quiet prayer space in a church these days! It is difficult to get away from the temptations of the marketplace. Even our physical and mental zones are preoccupied by the culture of consumption. Thus, regular decluttering is often required before we can clear room for prayer.  We can carve out private time in our days to commune with God. We can share our concerns and listen for directions. We can work in companionable silence with the Lord. Our bodies, specifically our minds, can become temples where we hang out with Jesus. 

Sacred Bodies

“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you? You do not own yourself. You have been purchased at a great price, so use your body to bring glory to God!” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 VOICE)

Cleansing and detoxifying diets are popular these days. They promise an array of health benefits including mental clarity, energy, weight loss, improved circulation, and decreased inflammation. Eating foods with medicinal properties can be nourishing to our body and mind. Practicing mindful habits can also replace harmful default settings. Caring for your body and mind is deeply honoring.  

My body, mind, and soul are sacred. Thus, it must be cleansed and honored. The Holy Spirit dwells within me. I am neither entitled nor  deserving of this gift. I do not own any part of myself. My life is continually sustained with much care. There is a purpose behind all this. 

If we live however we please, we end up squandering what God created at great cost. Our bodies are temples--the meeting place where humanity connects with Divinity. God expresses Himself through us. We are sanctified in the process. This sanctuary must be taken care of and cleansed.  Be attentive to what goes in and out. Let every thought, word, and interaction be honorable. Use your body to bring glory to God!

A Leased Life

“Then he leased it to tenant-farmers and traveled abroad. When the time of harvest came, he sent one of his servants to the tenants to collect the landowners’ share of the harvest.” (Mark 12:1-2 TPT)

My husband and I own some farmland. We lease it to a local farmer. He takes care of the land responsibly, rotating crops annually to care for the soil. Every season, he sends us a rent check in the mail. If he stopped paying rent, we would be concerned. If he claimed that the land was his own to do as he pleased, we would have to take drastic measures. However, we have never had to worry about any of this with our wonderful farmer. 

My life is on lease from God. Sometimes I forget this. I act like I own my days. Everything I have is on loan--my talents, opportunities, relationships, energy, time, health, resources, intelligence, and experiences. I need to continually remind myself to be a good steward. I must take care of everything that is within my purview. I must remain cognizant that I owe the Lord a share of the harvest from each season of my life. 

What can I offer God today? 

The Blessing of Work

“I realized there is nothing better for us than to find joy in the work we do, for work is its own reward.” (Ecclesiastes 3:22 VOICE)

Whenever I meet someone new, one of the first questions they ask is: ‘What kind of work do you do?’

I do not have a simple answer. There is no single title to describe all that I do. For the last several decades, all of my work has been unpaid. This used to bother me a great deal as I was raised to believe that the amount of money you made was the primary measure of your worth. Thus, I considered most of what I did insignificant. 

Not anymore. 

These days, I have learned to find joy and meaning in my work. I recognize beauty and sanctity in the mundane. Even though I feel physically and mentally drained, my soul is full at the end of each day. The world may never recognize what I do as worthy. I may not be compensated, admired, or remembered. Yet, I find my work rewarding and satisfying. My heart is content. I am blessed. 

Below is a wonderful poem on this topic by the Irish author and priest, John O’Donohue:

Blessing of your work

May the light of your soul guide you.

May the light of your soul bless the work

You do with the secret love and warmth of your heart.

May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.

May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light and renewal to those

Who work with you and to those who see and receive your work.

May your work never weary you.

May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration and excitement.

May you be present in what you do.

May you never become lost in the bland absences.

May the day never burden you.

May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams,

Possibilities and promises.

May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.

May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.

May your soul calm, console and renew you.

Pushing Through the Middle

“I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14 TPT)

When I am running a marathon, I follow certain rituals. During the first half, I think about the mile I’m in--keeping a steady pace, breathing evenly, staying aware of my surroundings, and maintaining good form.  Once I am past the halfway point, I allow myself to think of the finish line--the feeling of accomplishment, the shiny medal, and post-race food. I imagine that a rubber band is pulling me back to the finish line. These routines provide me with the extra boost I need during the most difficult part of the race. 

I practice similar rituals when I am going through other challenging situations as well. During the first half, it is relatively easy to focus on God’s presence surrounding me. I am also energized by the excitement, enthusiasm, and passion that are part of most new adventures. Then comes the tough middle--when the newness has worn off, and the end is nowhere in sight. The temptation to give up is overwhelming.  I have to accept that communion with God is going to take more effort and focus in this phase than it did in the beginning. I fix my mind on the heavenly goal and gaining the victory prize. I imagine the tug of hope pulling me like a rubber band toward the finish. I lean heavily on the Holy Spirit to fill me with energy and courage as I push through the wall. 

“Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you with excitement as you serve him. Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.” (Romans 12:11-12 TPT)

Timing the Reveal

“As they all hiked down the mountain together, Jesus ordered them, ‘Don’t tell anyone of what you just witnessed. Wait until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’” (Mark 9:9 TPT)

Jesus and three of the disciples were hiking down the mountain together after a significant miracle: the transfiguration of Jesus. The disciples had just witnessed a dramatic epiphany where Jesus revealed His glory. They had seen apparitions of Moses and Elijah speaking with Jesus--thus fulfilling an Old Testament messianic prophecy. This is the kind of news that anyone would be eager to share. Yet, Jesus asks them not to tell anyone about this event until after the resurrection. 

Sometimes epiphanies come at the weirdest times. I’ve witnessed wonders when no one else was around to appreciate them with me. I have had flashes of understanding when I have neither the time nor energy to take notes. When I try to explain it later, the enchantment is diminished. 

When we experience even minor miracles, we feel a natural urge to share our joy. However, this is not always appropriate. God unveils mysteries to each of us according to His plan. The process of digesting and understanding can be delayed. We may not know the details of how to share the message--who is ready to receive it, what words to use, or how to get maximum impact. Thus, the timing of the public reveal must also be guided by the Holy Spirit. 

Lord, I am thankful for every revelation and wonder. Help me to pay attention and understand everything You put in front of me. Grant me the patience to wait for your directions before I start sharing with others. 

 

Motives and Behavior

“His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Don’t go back into the village, on your way home.’” (Mark 8:25-26 NLT)

Jesus seems to avoid publicity. 

Does this mean that we are to keep miraculous experiences to ourselves? Is public testimony contrary to Scripture? 

There are times when I am hesitant about praising God’s work in my life. It feels braggy. I don’t want to call attention to myself. But when my joy bubbles over, I can’t help but share some things with my closest friends. 

I wonder if Jesus knew that publicity would only bring attention to Himself and not to the Father? Miracles by their nature are spectacular, and spectacles can be distracting.  Perhaps Jesus did not want to deflect from His mission or detract from the message. 

Maybe it is the motivation behind the praise that matters, even if the results end up calling attention to oneself.  But how can any of us assess our true motivations? 

Lord, I throw up my hands in resignation. I do not know my motivations for praising You. Take my offering and sift out the impurities. I am thankful for Your presence and revelations. Show me how to express joy and gratitude in ways that glorify You. 

 

Meager Perspectives

“They began to discuss with each other that they had no bread. And Yeshua, aware of this, said to them, ‘Why do you discuss that you have no bread? You still don’t get it? Don’t you understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes, don’t you see? And having ears, don’t you hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?’ ‘Twelve,’ they say to Him.” (Mark 8:16-19 TLV) 

The disciples had witnessed Jesus feeding the multitudes with meager resources. Yet, they were worried about not having enough to eat. 

Why?  

Running up hills is a challenge for me. I have a GPS running watch that measures elevation change and displays the statistics as graphs. I can access these graphs through a mobile phone app or on my laptop. Unfortunately, the graphs look completely different depending on which device I use. The mobile app uses a narrow scale for the vertical axis, while the webpage graph uses a broader scale. Thus, the hills look massive on my phone screen while appearing inconsequential on my laptop. Failure to factor in the scale of the graph can produce unnecessary anxiety about a workout. 

God is not limited by our narrow perspectives. The obstacles that seem massive to us are miniscule in His scope.  His works are unfathomable. His scale is immeasurable. His resources are inexhaustible. Failure to factor the Lord into every equation can produce unnecessary anxiety. No matter what challenges we face, remember that God operates on a completely different scale than we can ever imagine.

 

Strengths and Impediments

“He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” (Mark 7:37 NLT) 

The above verse is about Jesus healing a deaf man. 

Yet, as I read it I couldn’t help but think about a conversation I had with a friend a few hours ago. He mentioned he had difficulty understanding and expressing his emotions. He says he wants to...but he doesn’t know how. 

I take my abilities to hear, understand, speak, and write for granted. These are my strengths, so I rarely think about them. On the other hand, I ruminate on my weaknesses. Here are a few of my myriad deficiencies: I am a nervous driver. I can’t write in a straight line on a blank piece of paper. My brain shuts down every evening around sunset. I feel agitated around crowds. I find babies and small children confusing. These flaws are troublesome, and I would like to overcome these impediments. I just don’t know how...

If Jesus can make the deaf hear and give speech to those who cannot speak, He can surely fill in my insufficiencies! 

“Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone.” (Mark 7:33 NLT)

I shall let Jesus lead me away from the crowd so we can be alone. Then, I shall wait patiently for Him to work through my weaknesses according to His purposes. 

Mimetic Desire

 “Don’t imitate what is evil, but imitate that which is good.” (3 John 1:11 TPT)

The French philosopher Rene Girard came up with the mimetic theory of desire. Girard noticed that our subconscious desires are influenced by the wants of others. Humans mimic each other. This is how we learn to fit into society. We like to imagine that our desires are uniquely individualistic, but they are motivated by the wants of those we admire. 

For example, let’s take some of my desires: privacy,  peace, and quiet. Where and when might I have learned to assign value to these traits? I am not sure, but I have a hunch it might have been from my paternal grandmother. My grandma was a huge influence on me as a child. I remember her as the most dependable adult from my childhood days. As a mother of fourteen children and a gazillion grandchildren, her home was always full. She considered privacy as the ultimate luxury. She was a cheerful caretaker, but I could sense her relief whenever she had moments of peace and quiet. 

Now, think about the things you deeply desire. Where, when, and why have you learned to assign value to these objects, experiences, or traits? 

As humans, we are going to mimic the culture in which we are immersed. We are bound to assign value to what others value. Once we recognize how much our environment influences us, we can be more selective about the role models we choose. If you aspire to be a decent human being, surround yourself with those who are virtuous. Don’t imitate what is evil, but imitate that which is good.

Sacred vs. Common

“They are responsible for teaching My people Israel the line between the sacred and common.” (Ezekiel 44:23 VOICE)

How do you delineate between sacred ground and common ground?

Cultural narratives are shaped by mutual interests and agreements that uphold our sense of identity and worthiness. It feels good to gather on common ground. Each of us also has inviolable convictions for which we are willing to suffer. This is sacred ground. 

Since I am surrounded by cultural behaviors and beliefs, it is easy to imagine I am standing on sacred ground when I may still be digging my feet into common ground. For example, let’s say my doctor recommends that I exercise regularly. I have trusted this physician for health-related advice before, and I believe in her credibility. However, if 9 out of 10 of my closest contacts are not regular exercisers, their cumulative influence will outweigh my doctor’s advice. My choices are more likely to reflect my environment.

The above mentioned bias applies to other areas as well: religion, politics, diet, sporting team preferences, smoking, alcohol use, vaccinations, fashion choices, consumption patterns, etc., are impacted by the cumulative influence of those that are closest to us. Maintaining common ground affirms our sense of belonging, so there is a natural desire to remain on familiar territory. Sacred ground rarely feels comfortable or sociable. It is often a space of solitude, suffering, and uncertainty. Recognizing what is sacrosanct requires discernment. Standing your sacred ground takes fortitude. 

Hostile Architecture

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty and not give you food and something to drink? When did we see you homeless, or poorly clothed? When did we see you sick and not help you, or in prison and not visit you?’ (Matthew 25:44 TPT) 

Hostile architecture is a form of defensive design used to discourage homeless people from using public spaces. Here are a few examples: spikes on sidewalks or window ledges to make sleeping on them uncomfortable, sloped or curved seating areas, randomly placed armrests on benches, and boulders under bridges. I have walked by these structures without thinking much about them. 

If I am being honest, homeless people make me feel uncomfortable. I know they exist, but I would rather not interact with them as I walk out of a store with whatever I just bought. It makes me feel guilty. I don’t mind making donations to local shelters, but I would rather not deal directly with those who are needy. This is hard to admit. 

I have a whole list of defensive reasons for my attitude. This hostile architecture of the mind acts as a barrier against the Spirit dwelling in me. It prevents me from acknowledging the inconsistencies between what I profess to believe and my lifestyle choices. It allows me to avert my eyes and pretend I don’t recognize Jesus in the poor. 

True Voice

“And he has taught you to let go of the lifestyle of the ancient man, the old self-life, which was corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires that spring from delusions. Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you.  (Ephesians 4:22-23 TPT)

Back in the day, I used to enjoy singing. My natural voice was considered unfeminine. Thus, I learned to sing in falsetto. This meant I could only sing in a narrow range, and the notes I produced were thin and hollow. Yet, this false voice seemed to be more pleasing to everyone’s ears. Eventually, I learned to only sing songs that fit within this limited range. After years of this practice, I have trouble recognizing my own, true voice. I rarely sing out loud anymore. 

Similarly, I have trouble differentiating between my ego self and my true nature. The ego is based on delusions. It is corrupted by societal programming of what is acceptable, admirable, and lovable. The true voice is underneath the artificial veneer, but it may not be pleasing to most ears. I may have been operating under deluded premises for most of my life. This revelation is discombobulating. 

Limited Resources

“Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gazed into heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and the two fish and distributed them to his disciples to serve the people—and the food was multiplied in front of their eyes!  Everyone had plenty to eat and was fully satisfied.” (Mark 6:41-42 TPT)

The story of Jesus feeding thousands of people with limited resources is well-known. I have heard lots of sermons on different aspects of this miracle--how we must submit our logistical concerns and possessions; how we must trust God to provide for our material needs. I think all of these lessons are valuable. 

This time, as I studied this passage, the following thoughts percolated within my mind: 

What resources are limited right now?

Patience, kindness, empathy, compassion, energy, time, tolerance, understanding, etc., seem to be in short supply. 

What can be done about this?

Recognize the insufficiency. Gather up the fragments. Submit the limited resources to Jesus. Wait expectantly.

 

The Lord is capable of multiplying our meager offerings into more than enough.