Lent Reflection - Day 1

I've made it through Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus in my reading plan. Genesis and Exodus were enlightening while Leviticus was, predictably, a bit tougher to get through.  Numbers starts out looking to be just as tough as Leviticus (though I know that Numbers includes a lot of narrative stuff).

The first chapter is the reporting of a census of the 12 tribes for the purpose of figuring out how many able-bodied men are available for battle. The Hebrews are getting ready to enter the land that God promised them and they will need to be ready for a fight. Chapter 2 gives more details about the military arrangements.

At the end of chapter 1, something caught my attention. I'm trying to intentionally set aside my more 'academic' questions as I'm doing my daily reading.  Instead, I'm trying to think about Scripture more devotionally, imaginatively, and prayerfully.*  So, Numbers 1:53 says that "the Levites shall perform the guard duty of the tabernacle of the covenant."  If Exodus and Leviticus teach us anything, it's that God means business when it comes to worship.  This is serious stuff and God will not be trifled with. Given the already sketchy history of Hebrew worship (golden calf, anyone?), it's not a surprise that God is really detailed about worship requirements nor is it a shock that God sets aside one whole tribe to serve as security for the worship space.

I started thinking about how good a job I do 'protecting' worship.  Do I treat the worship of Almighty God with the respect and reverence it deserves?  Do I give worship preparation, worship leading, and worship participation the attention it deserves?  The ancient Levites were tasked with protecting the worship space against attack from the various tribes and nations surrounding the Hebrew people - it's not very likely that I will have to stave off attacks from the Hittites or the Jebusites here in Harrisburg.  So, what might be the threats to worship for the people of Harrisburg UMC?  What 'enemies' do I need to be mindful of?  There are surely more than what I'm going to list, but here are three that come quickly to mind.  Feel free to do your own reflection about what threatens to derail your worship.

• Distractions - I probably don't need to explain too much here. Phones, tablets, e-readers, Apple watches, etc.  As a pastor, this is a tricky thing to deal with - I'm not an entertainer and I realize that for most people, texting/games/Twitter is usually more interesting than what I'm preaching about or singing Love Divine All Loves Excelling again (that's my favorite hymn, by the way, so you better put your phone down when we're singing that one...).  But, I truly believe that we are robbing ourselves of something really meaningful when we choose to immerse ourselves in the digital to the neglect of the incarnational.  
• Entitlement - it really should go without saying that worship is not about me or you. It's even less about our personal preferences. But, you know, here we are. If one of my church members wants the old fashioned hymns and another member wants modern praise and worship, it's awfully hard to make both happy.  And if I work to try to please both of these people, it will make it really difficult for me to prepare a worship service that's pleasing to God.
• Lack of Expectation - God is everywhere, always present, always moving.  God's grace is always and in every situation going before us - inviting us to a deeper relationship and greater love. What's lacking is our awareness.  Our presence in the present.  As a preacher and worship leader, one of my tasks is to invite my congregation to awareness through worship.  It's almost impossible to lead a person to awareness who is completely convinced that they are going to be bored and that nothing will change.  If, however, a worshiper is convinced that they will experience the presence of God in worship, it doesn't really matter the style of music or the style of preaching or the clothing choices of the pastor/congregation (within reason, of course) - that person is going to be aware of God's presence if the worship leaders are taking their roles seriously.  One of my jobs is to take my task as worship leader and preacher seriously - to protect that time and that place so that people who come expectantly may experience the Spirit of God in worship.

* I'm fully aware that an 'academic' reading can also be imaginative and prayerful. I'm just saying that my goal in my daily reading is more about spiritual growth and less about intellectual pursuit.