Passion

Today's post is brought to you by an experience I had just yesterday with a Latino congregation of the UMC. I had been invited to deliver a sermon on health as a key factor in becoming or remaining fruitful. The scripture that I used was Jeremiah 17:5-8 and Lue 6:43-45 (the pastor added Psalm 1, Jeremiah 31 and John 15). My sermon text was focused on the importance of being "rooted" in the Word, and how important the health of the roots was to the overall health and fruitfulness of the plant.

This post is not about my sermon, however, but about my experience in a worship service that was conducted completely in another language (I had one previous expereince with this in the Czech Rebuplic a few years ago while I was on mission). Though I could not understand the words, what struck me was the passion and Spirit-centeredness of the participants (worship leaders, band and congregants). The service was Spirit filled (my father reflected on how the pastor talked and prayed without any notes) and interactive. The energy was infective and the words and reflections were heartfelt.

I was contrasting this service to the one I had attended two hours earlier in my own congregation (just 2 miles up the road). It was quiet and controlled and "reverent" - there was very little passion. This is not a judgement, just a statement of the contrast betweent the two services. My home congregation's worship is fulfilling and nourishing. I understood every word and nuance. But, I was not moved in the same way as I was by the worship of my Latino brother and sisters.

Passion is something we talk about in regards to Easter and crucifixion. That comes around once each liturgical year. The passion that I felt and participated in yesterday is a weekly occurrance. I was as fully engaged in that 100 minute service, as I was in my home church's 50-60 minutes service. I was struck by the Acts 2 quality of the Latino service and wondered (not for the last time I'm sure) about whether or not their roots are sunk more deeply into the Word, and thus sustained and nurtured in a way that my congregation can only aspire to?

So, for this piece of time, I wish you to be more passionate about your worship. May that allow you to grow you spiritual roots enough to reach that place where you are fed and watered. May that growth yield fruit that can change our world and make it healthier, more well and less broken.

Peace and blessings,
Dan