Paula Wiseman and Andrea Moriarty are teaching me a thing or two about authentic Christian living! They’ve been writing about how their faith plays out each typical day, giving readers an inside look at real Christianity. Each day as I have read their posts, I have learned something new.
Today Andrea posted a clip from Mary Poppins. I hope she doesn’t mind, but I going to pick up on that theme and include my favorite clip from this movie, one that reminds me of the contrast between worldly living and Christian living. Here, executive and father Banks has just been fired from his banking job and is bemoaning the loss of his dream:
So, what does this have to do with authentic Christianity? Let me explain: Authentic Christianity means living in an upside down world. Things that seem important in the typical world are usually the least important things by Christian standards. For example, power, prestige and money mean little when compared to showing compassion and love to those in our circles. Christian economics is based on a heavenly exchange rate, one the world simply does not understand.
But here is where things get tricky for me as I live out my faith: I can’t shut out the world. The pressure to succeed and get ahead is preached at me every day through commercials, magazine articles, on billboards and in all of the over-the-fence conversations with the Jones’, you know, that family down the street that I can never quite keep up with. So it is often a daily struggle to keep my priorities in check:
For all the pagan world is [greedily] seeking these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also. Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!
Luke 12:30-32 (Amplified Bible)
Almost every day I wonder if I am doing all that I could be doing. I wonder if I am missing opportunities because I choose to work out of my home as a part-time consultant (rather than work full time) so I can be here to help Elise and Alec with their homework after school. We have financially struggled so much this year that I have nearly thrown in the towel and sought full-time work. I have questioned myself and my motives. But all the while I know that God has me right where He wants me: here at home. Working part-time may not be your God-given calling, but it is mine.
Authentic Christian living is upside down living:
“But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.”
Luke 22:26 (New Living Translation)
That kind of living makes no sense to the world. It’s crazy living. Radical living. But living this way brings the divine into life. It’s like God miraculously squeezes more life into each day. By living this way, Christians find joy that is often missed by others, as God makes sure that we don’t miss out on the sweetest moments of life. Our friend Burt (in the clip above) knows this truth and as he shares the following precious advice to Mr. Banks:
You’ve got to grind, grind, grind
At that grindstone
Though child’ood slips like sand through a sieve
And all too soon they’ve up grown
And then they’ve flown
And it’s too late for you to give…
When I look around and fear that I am not getting ahead, I have to remind myself that I don’t have to measure up to the world’s standard of success. My treasures are not of this world, but every bit as real.
I would guess that 99% of the images depicting the likeness of Christ show him without a smile. You know what I mean, because you’ve seen them, too. The Serious Christ. The Sullen Christ. If I were to believe that Christ was as sullen as all of those paintings and images depict, then I would have to assume that Christian living is also devoid of fun. Thank Jesus, this is so far from the truth! Authentic Christians have fun!
I can’t imagine Jesus, as He welcomed the children into His arms, without imagining His smile and laughter, too. I can almost hear Him giggling with the little ones, enjoying their questions and their hugs. I can’t imagine the little ones running up to a man with a sullen expression on his face. Instead, I would bet that He welcomed them with an cheek-to-cheek smile.
Sometimes I can get so serious about life. I have to remind myself that Jesus came to give us an abundant life. He has given me the greatest joys, so much more than I could have ever dreamt of in my early years.
I used to be someone who didn’t even want a child sitting at a table next to me in a restaurant. I had no interest in kids. I don’t know why, I just didn’t. But thank God, that is no longer true. God changed all of that.
Today, I love it when the neighborhood kids hang out at my house or in my yard. I love laughing with them, talking with them, and trying to read what is going on in their little heads. I watch them play, and suddenly, all of my problems seem to fade away. Laughter has a healing quality about it.
God promised Abram and Sarai a special child with an wonderful purpose. Through this child, God would bless Abram to be the father of many nations, with descendants as numerous as the stars. Even more importantly, it was through this child’s lineage that God would send His own son, Jesus, to save mankind from sin. Abram’s child would be a child of great promise and hope. Incredibly, when this special child was born after a long wait, God named the boy “Isaac,” a name that means “laughter.”
That’s a strange name for a child of such promise. I have often wondered why God didn’t choose a more serious-sounding name, like “Brutus” or “Valdus.” But “Laughter?” Come on! Yet, the Bible says that Sarah (her name changed from Sarai) laughed at the promise of this son:
“Sarah said, ‘God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me.’”
Genesis 21:6 HCSB
I am so glad that God begin His redemption plan with good dose of laughter. The story reminds me that I, too, can be free to laugh, no matter how tough the journey is. After all, there is tremendous freedom in authentic Christianity!
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with a shout of joy.
Job 8:21
We were blessed this weekend with a North Carolina snowstorm. So there I was sitting on my sofa drinking coffee, a little tired after helping bundle up the kids to go play in the snow, when I thought, “Get out there and have some fun, girl!” So I put on some warm clothes and went sledding with the kids.
And I laughed, enjoying this rare gift and thanking God for so much fun! Enjoy this little video I took when I broke the news of downtown snow to the neighborhood kids:
Yesterday was not a good day. I won’t rehash it, but you can read about it in “Authenticity Challenge: Reality Stinks.” While today was somewhat better, tonight, my worship team rehearsal night, was fantastic. Why? Here is the secret that turned an ordinary day into a great one: the power of praise.
Yeah, just a little singing and music, right? That’s all worship is really about, right? Not so special, you say?
Yes, Christians are well familiar with worship in services. Corporate worship, or worshiping together with others as in church, comes in all styles: contemporary, traditional, latin, and with hymns, chimes, choirs, praise bands, orchestras and even acappella. Typically, Christians know the routine. We enter the sanctuary, pick up the bulletin, scan it, stand up, sing a song, sit down, stand up, sing, sit, stand (sigh) again, sing, sit, stand… well, you get it.
I’ve been singing with a praise and worship team for 19 years. You would think that singing worship would become somewhat ordinary to me by now. It’s not. Participating in worship is anything but ordinary! I never fail to get nervous each Sunday my team is up. I never feel prepared, and I am always anxious that I will forget the words or sing the impromptu solo (you know, the one that you blurt out when no one was supposed to sing), or forget a harmony. I feel this way every time I sing on the team.
You would think I would get over this nervousness, but I don’t. You see, I have come to understand that I am helping usher the congregation into the very presence of the Holy One! Worship is serious business to me! Above all else, knowing this truth is what makes my hands shake each Sunday as I grip the microphone. The sanctuary will be Holy Ground…and I know I am not worthy of being there!
Listen, I am not a spectacular singer. I have no doubt that Simon would usher me on, and not without a snarky comment or two. But while Simon won’t be in the congregation, God will be. Frankly, Simon would be far less fearsome!
So as I am standing there quaking in my shoes, I repeat this promise to myself:
“I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Then something happens inside. I find peace. My voice stops quivering, and I am ready to sing. My hands still shake, but the words are there.
Sometimes I look out into the congregation and see someone yawn, looking quite bored. Hey, I am not judging anyone because I have done this, too. It is so easy to let your mind wander during a worship set! It’s early, and people are tired. But sometimes when we are singing about the power of the resurrection, I wonder if those words are really sinking in. I wonder if people are truly aware of the power of those words. Yes, there is a great power in the words!
The next time you are in a sanctuary and the worship set begins, no matter if is it is a hymn or a contempory song–whatever the style of your particular church–really focus on the words of the music. The lyrics. What are you singing? To Whom? Forget about the person in front of you with the weird shirt, the lady behind you who is so off key, or even that the vocalist may be off-beat. Just focus on what you are singing. I promise you, something special will happen.
You see, there is an incredible power in praise music. When you worship with all of your heart, or, as the Bible says, “in Spirit and Truth,” you have entered the Holy Place. The presence of the Most High God!
True worship lifts a depression. It restores a broken heart. It unites the most ill-matched group of people as they honor God together. It is powerful, focused, and full of the Spirit. As you worship, remember where you are, and not just physically, but spiritually. You are approaching the very altar of God!
As you sing, don’t worry about how good you sound. Listen, God doesn’t care if you are on pitch or off. (Believe me, I’ve been off many times!) He doesn’t care if you blunder a phrase. He only cares about your heart.
Are you worshiping in Spirit and Truth? God is worth our whole-hearted worship. Do you know that He sings with us, too? The verse below is one of my favorite passages. He is not hesitant about rejoicing over you….so give Him your very best!
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.“
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