Music has changed and so has the church in regards to music.
But, my little dream of learning to play guitar or drums still lingers in my
soul. From time to time during worship at a weekend service, my heart drifts
away from the lyrics of the song we’re singing and I find myself just watching
the musicians do their work. They make it look so easy and I wonder what it
would be like to create the rhythms and rifts that they do so naturally.
A couple months ago, I had the privilege of being at a small
group retreat where a friend of mine led us in worship. Eric is a gifted
worship leader who beautifully played his acoustic guitar to guide us into
meaningful moments as we sang worship songs. When our worship time was done,
Eric and I had a chance to chat about music, worship and the art of playing the
guitar. I told him about my latent dream to learn to play and how fascinated
I’ve been over the years with people who do it well. He asked, “So, have you
ever tried? Do you own a guitar?” I told him I had, but not with much consistency
or effort. I do own a guitar but it has resided quietly in my basement going untouched
for many years.
Eric asked if I had ever taken lessons or spent time with
someone willing to show me some of the basics to get started. I said I hadn’t
but often taught that would be a good idea. I fully expected that to be the end
of the conversation but Eric pushed it further. He said, “If you have some
time, I’d be willing to help you learn.” He even suggested some times and
places. I felt honored to be offered such a kind gift but I found myself
awkwardly trying to find reasons to say, “thanks, but no thanks.” Eric got the
hint. I think he figured out that I was more intrigued by the idea of being a
guitar player, than I was really interested in pursuing it. Later I privately
wondered why I balked at the chance to pursue a dream. In reality, I think I just
want to be a good guitar player rather than wanting to learn and
practice to become a good guitar player.
Unfortunately, I think we often treat our pursuit of
following Christ the same way. God enters our life through salvation and then
he tells us to be his followers in all areas of our life. He wants us to look
and live like him. But then we realize that we are far from that goal and it will
take time, effort, and practice for us to live as God desires. He offers us
help through his Spirit and his Word yet we struggle to commit to the effort
and pursuit. This, I think, is why James penned these words. He knew the human
heart had the tendency to hear but not do, to dream but not pursue, and to be
informed but not transformed.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You
must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the
word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see
yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But
if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do
what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing
it. James 1.22-25 NLT
As I’ve read my way through the New Testament Challenge this
fall, I’ve become aware again the Bible offers a ton to learn and know. It’s
overwhelming at times. There’s so much to digest, understand, and to discuss in
just the NT. But, if I’m not diligent to read with an open heart, I may just
leave this valuable information in my head and never allow it to help me be
truly transformed. I find it interesting that James follows his discussion
about hearing and doing with some hard hitting comments about how we are to use
our mouths, and what genuine religion really looks like. It’s as if James is
saying, “You’ve heard, now let me give you something to do! You understand, now
get busy. ”
If you claim to be religious but don’t
control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion
in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their
distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1.26-27
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