singing?
It was Sunday worship time again and as the music started, about a thousand folks stood, clapped their hands and sang the words shown on the large screens that were hung from the ceiling for all to see. He stood with the rest, clapped his hands and repeated the words of the songs with the crowd. When they prayed together, he said words into the air that were meant to form a prayer to God.
Then there was a second song and another. Somewhere during this third praise melody he realized that his mind had long since wandered away and was on most anything but praise to His maker. The harsh realization hit him that this was not the first time this same thing had happened. This lapse had been corrected before with God. Why was it happening again?
Was it the fault of the music or the particular song or the singers? Certainly not, since most everyone else was singing with joyous faces, clapping and even raising their hands in worship of the Maker, whose praises they were giving forth. It had to be just him – and what kind of sorry individual would stand and say words to God that they didn’t really mean from the heart?
Then he realized that it wasn’t God condemning him but he was condemning himself – but there was more to it than that. Another source had ‘inspired’ this self-loathing and according to Scripture, satan is the “accuser of the brethren” and it dawned on him that he had fallen for one of the evil one’s distractions. Instead of wasting more time heaping coals of fire on his own head, he went to God for forgiveness – then forgave himself and started to really worship the One that gave His life for him.
This entire “battle” had only taken a moment. And in another moment’s time everything came back into focus and he started to really mean from the heart the words he was singing and felt a warmth in his spirit that only comes from God and to those who realize they are forgiven and loved. It was only fitting to forgive himself since the theme of the message a bit later was forgiveness. It was a beautiful Sunday, in more ways than one. ec
Then there was a second song and another. Somewhere during this third praise melody he realized that his mind had long since wandered away and was on most anything but praise to His maker. The harsh realization hit him that this was not the first time this same thing had happened. This lapse had been corrected before with God. Why was it happening again?
Was it the fault of the music or the particular song or the singers? Certainly not, since most everyone else was singing with joyous faces, clapping and even raising their hands in worship of the Maker, whose praises they were giving forth. It had to be just him – and what kind of sorry individual would stand and say words to God that they didn’t really mean from the heart?
Then he realized that it wasn’t God condemning him but he was condemning himself – but there was more to it than that. Another source had ‘inspired’ this self-loathing and according to Scripture, satan is the “accuser of the brethren” and it dawned on him that he had fallen for one of the evil one’s distractions. Instead of wasting more time heaping coals of fire on his own head, he went to God for forgiveness – then forgave himself and started to really worship the One that gave His life for him.
This entire “battle” had only taken a moment. And in another moment’s time everything came back into focus and he started to really mean from the heart the words he was singing and felt a warmth in his spirit that only comes from God and to those who realize they are forgiven and loved. It was only fitting to forgive himself since the theme of the message a bit later was forgiveness. It was a beautiful Sunday, in more ways than one. ec
posted by mreddie | 3:20 PM
8 Comments:
I has happened to me!!
Thank you,
Betty G
Mr. Eddie... this happens so often to me, being attacked in Church. Sometimes it's worse than others... but you're right about not dwelling on our wrongdoing... just go to God and ask for forgiveness and help for the next time.
Take care and happy Sunday.
it was a beautiful sunday!
This has also happened to me on more than one occasion. Thankfully the Lord knows our humanness and is faithful to forgive! :)
I hope your Monday was as beneficial as your Sunday! Have a great week!
itsboopchile - I find it very tough to be just human. :)
Jayleigh - What the enemy would want is for us to beat up on ourselves so we can't see the needs of others.
David - More beautiful coming out of church than going in.
Annie - His faithfulness is so amazing - even when we do stupid stuff - again!
Brenda - Thanks, it has been good as well. ec
It's pretty darn natural for the mind to wander about. You focus when you become aware of what's happened, and your intentions are right. That's good, not bad.
AC - No, not bad, just annoying when one expects better of themselves. ec
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