i started field work a couple of weeks ago at an extremely lutheran church: not really my style. in my faith life i have grown from a lutheran to an ex-lutheran to something more of the ecumenical "whatever" category. these two being in somewhat of a conflict (at least on the lutheran side) i was convinced i was in for one hell of a ride, butting heads with staff and with worship, because of course, the church only offers traditional, liturgical worship.
i thought "of course! God has put me here to teach these people to liven things up! He wants me to show them how to do things the right[my] way."
let me offer this word of warning, as long as there's still a "my way", you're in for trouble. when big things get going, they happen God's way.
it turns out i'm supposed to be learning that even old-timey lutherans can be awesome in their ministry, despite how out of touch i may have thought it was. God loves all of His children the same, and He's going to bless their worship, no matter the style, as long as it is brought with sincerity.
God's been doing some spiritual warfare too, and He's taught me that the more i act in the kind of authority i think i should act in, the slower and harder the process will be. praising God in worship will ALWAYS be more powerful than trying to pick a fight with what's picking on you (or the people you love). He proved that to me hardcore yesterday, and i could not be more excited/thankful about what He has done and is doing with that whole situation!
All of this (there's more, but i can't think of it to fit it all in here now) got me thinking about flying in the hitchhiker's guide. "There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss." i know, it's a bit of a stretch, but follow me. i've been throwing myself after all these things: change the church, beat up satan, become some sort of spiritual superhero...get through college without burning down the university. and it's frustrating. it's like throwing yourself at the ground. you don't know what else to do, and you know that it's going to hurt.
"...but before i touch ground, i am held in His arms with his tears pouring down..." (thanks billy k)
God's got it, and whatever "it" is, won't turn out like what you expect. you just gotta know that God is doing His will. no matter what it looks like from where you're at, God has plans. they're good ones. they're probably not yours. they are definitely better.
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