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From
the December, 2000 edition of The Doulos monthly
newsletter
by
Joe Fitler
Look
for the Cross
Being
the guy who locks up the church building following Sunday services allows for
some unique perspectives that I might not otherwise have. As I go throughout
the building, I’ll find myself walking through silent, darkened hallways that
were only a short time before bustling with the many sounds of fellowship. In a
way it’s always a little sad. Everyone has gone his or her separate way; yet
the building faithfully remains, dark, quiet, empty. I can recall many times on
these rounds crossing through the original sanctuary, the room silent except
for the whisper of the air conditioning system, lit only from the exit signs
above the doorways. Was this the same room that just a few minutes before was
filled with people, ringing with worship, praise and song? It now felt so
different.
Then
I would see the cross.
There,
in the dim light, the rough-hewn timbers probably not greatly different from
the ones that bore our Lord as He bore our sin. It was still there as He was
still there, bearing silent witness to God’s faithfulness and love.
Now,
we have a wonderful new building, floor space and facilities that we could only
dream of not much more than a year ago (not to mention a few more doors to
lock). I remember making my rounds following the Dedication Sunday service in
June. Again I walked through the original sanctuary, now standing empty and
awaiting the transition to Children’s Ministries facilities. When I saw that
the cross had been taken down for relocation, I got rather choked up. I
recalled all that my family and I had experienced in this room - inspiring
messages, uplifting worship and song, baby dedications, baptisms, communion,
children’s plays, choir cantatas, Christmas Eve services… so much! It was a
surprisingly emotional moment when I realized that things wouldn’t ever be
quite the same. Things were so
different.
I
carried this feeling with me as I walked back to the new building, sort of
numbly turning off lights and locking doors as I went. Would things ever be the
same? Did we lose something that we wouldn’t get back? Walking into the new
sanctuary, I took another look around and thought of all of the many changes
that have taken place. Different setting. Different kinds of worship music. New
staff. New faces. It almost felt like a
different church.
Then,
again, I saw the cross.
Unchanging
in appearance and in meaning. Unaffected by surroundings, personal preference
or tradition. Not just the same cross; it’s the only cross.
I
have to admit that it has slowly begun to sink in that, while there are some
aspects or types of worship that I might happen to prefer over others, that
they are secondary to worship itself. Worship is not about my preferences, my
comfort or convenience. It’s about giving back to God. And that giving back
should not be conditional upon it having first received my personal seal of
approval. Worship is our gift to God, who sees the offering that is within more
than the wrappings or ribbons on the outside.
Some
may struggle with issues such as “hymns vs. choruses” or “topical vs.
expository”. Some may debate “PowerPoint
slides vs. hymnals” or “guitar vs. piano”. Some may even argue “first
service vs. second service”. But in each of these issues and others, we must
be honest and ask ourselves, “Does this glorify God more than it pleases
me?” We must remember to always
look for the cross.
I’m
not saying that change is ever easy. But please remember why we are all here on
Sunday. Yes, we are called to have personal growth and fellowship; these are
important and should be pursued. But in the bigger picture remember that Sunday
is not about us. It is first and foremost about God and our acknowledgement and
thankfulness of our life in Him through Jesus Christ.
In
Him,
Joe
Fitler
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