Archbishop Desmond Tutu said this... 'Differences are not intended to separate, or to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realise our need of one another.'
As always, when we speak of worship, it gets back to the heart intent... Matt 7:6&7 simply says this... 'people honour me with their lips but their hearts are far from me, and in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and the precepts of man.'
Now, if there are real issues, issues that abuse the souls of men, manipulating people's minds, man made theology etc... then these things need to be challenged. BUT, let's challenge it in a way that honours the Word, go to your brother, don't gossip about him - my friends, this is not a game and God will not be mocked. I have always appreciated honest conversations even though they are hard to have at first, through relationship, they are pure life..... LOVE is where it's at! Devotion, wholehearted service... giving away our lives so that others can find it. Worship, like prayer, is critical, but lets never let OUR preferences get in the way of what God is doing on the earth. It's not about us, it's about Him, THEN HE makes it about us, and we are transformed in HIS presence to take the love of Christ to a love starved planet.
Music is a language.. I believe the most underrated language there is, this is why the enemy loves to use it to bring discord and confusion.
I pray you hear my heart and these thoughts.. FULLY loving does leave you at the risk of being hurt, but I want to live like this... Jesus says to come to Him like a little child, uncomplicated, trusting, open armed, accepting and believing the wonder that surrounds you. And before you jump to be critical next time at a style or sound that is different to yours, take a breath, be slow to speak, and ask the Holy Spirit to keep working on your capacity to love even the things you don't understand...
Ok... thanks for reading... IMAGINE what we could do if we did some things together, despite our differences!! Ok, now I'm getting excited...Love you and totally believe in you...
Darlene Z.
PS... I was standing next to a great production guy in the US during an alter call the other day, and as people came forward to receive Christ, he simply turned to me and said... 'Ahh, that's the sweetest sound there is... pages being turned in the lambs book of life...' SELAH...love you.
