Values Blog
From Glory to Glory
“We all, with unveiled faces are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory: this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor. 3:18
Tuesday night, my husband, son, and I were among those who gathered at the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s annual meeting for a time set aside for worship. No business talk. No controversy. No agendas. Just worship. Just Jesus. And it was glorious.
Two days have passed, and despite my efforts to keep that intensity alive, I have to admit to feeling like Moses who covered his face as God’s glory faded between his times with the Lord. Has the flame of passion dimmed within me? Perhaps, but I am passionate about my Savior. I long to spend time with Him and to worship Him as He deserves. But, something is causing a veil to fall over my face and dimming my enthusiasm. And as tempting as it is to blame others, I know that I have to look in my heart to discover the cause for my fading fervor. Worship is between me and Jesus.
Was it easier to worship Tuesday night because I was in a group of strangers? Truthfully, yes. I could lift my hands to the Lord without thinking about what my sisters and brothers would say. I could fall to my knees at my pew and not have to face curious eyes when I arose. No one was looking but Jesus—and I felt free. But as much as I would like to blame others, my lack of freedom in my home church is my problem. I care too much about what others think. That may not be such a big deal in other settings, but when it comes to worship, it is only Jesus whose opinion matters. Worship is about Jesus and only Jesus. I want to be like David. To dance with all my might before the Lord and to be even more undignified than that if He leads. To be so overcome by the intensity of being in His presence that all other considerations fade away.
Was it easier to worship Tuesday night because the music was energetic and powerful? Oh yes. I admit that the music moved me and that it sparked emotions in me that filled my eyes with tears. Is it wrong to let our emotions carry us away? Again, in other situations, perhaps so. But in worship? How can we come before the Creator of All Things and not be filled with emotion? How can we approach the throne of the Holy God and not fall to the floor? My heart overflows even as I type the words. Oh no—it’s not wrong to feel passionately about the Lord. Think of the One we are worshipping and cry, “Glory to the Lamb!”
Was it easier to worship Tuesday night because I wasn’t distracted? Again, yes. So often I come to church thinking about a lesson I need to teach or a message I need to give or a relationship I have to mend or … the list is endless and revolves around me. Too many times I enter the sanctuary without giving a thought to the reason that we have gathered. It is what I do on Sunday morning. I go to church. Rain, sleet or shine. But why do I do it? Am I there to worship? Not always and the blame is mine alone.
Oh Lord, change my heart and unveil my face. Draw me to your sanctuary to worship You. Make me radiant with Your glory and transform me into Your image. Take my heart and make my worship a worthy offering before Your throne. From glory to glory. Oh let it be so. Amen.
[By Lisa Huddleston]
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Comments
1
Beautifully and humbly written! I too have felt the same sadness with regard to my own worship experiences. Thank you for sharing!
posted at 4:50pm on November 25, 2008 by Sylvia (Tibby) Martin
2
I feel the same way. Oh LORD, forgive me for saving face before man and loosing honor in your sight by my choosing to sin. Forgive us LORD for we need to be anchored daily in your ways. Remind us of your Glory before each day. Revival…Revival…daily we ask of thee!
posted at 9:52pm on November 25, 2008 by Bobby James