As we use the gifts that he has given us to praise him, we can’t help but grow as well. We grow in understanding about who God is and who he created us to be. Our faith in who God is grows. And our connection to God’s people and the larger story of salvation grows as well.
When I was in high school I was asked to be a part of my church’s Good Friday service. I was to play Jesus and while I didn’t have any lines I had to carry a cross from the back of the sanctuary to the front, kneel at the front of the church with the cross on my shoulders, and stay there for the rest of the service. So I donned an old choir robe and sandals, picked up the cross—making sure not to bang it on the doorframe as I walked into the sanctuary, walked up the center aisle, and took my place kneeling at the front of the church. Now, the discomfort that I was about to feel in no way compares to that of Christ on the cross, but at some point during the service my back and neck started to feel the weight of the cross on my shoulders. My knees started to hurt and my feet started to cramp. But I was determined to stay where I was for the remainder of the service. When everything was done I put the cross down and stretched my shoulders and legs. I was way more sore than I probably should have been.
I’m reminded of that service every year around Holy Week. In fact, my son was plucked from the crowd to play Simon of Cyrene at a Maundy Thursday service last year. He carried the cross from where we had a meal to our sanctuary where we finished the service hearing the last words of Jesus as he hung on the cross. During that same service I read the part of the crowd at Jesus’ trial. As I read their words I surprised myself at the jeering tone in my own voice. I could feel their hatred, fear, and even sadness in the words that came out of my mouth. After all, this ‘King of the Jews’ was not at all who they thought he should be.
I’m not an overly emotional person when it comes to worship. I think maybe that’s why these times when I’ve gotten to be a part of worship services like I described above stick out in my mind so clearly. It is in those times of immersing myself in the story of Easter or Christmas or other stories from the Bible that I began to understand what Jesus did for us and how much God loves us. That’s why I say yes to being a part of services like these. It’s not always comfortable and most of the time I would rather sit in the pew rather than be up front. But when I say yes I know that I’ll be immersed in the story in a way that I wouldn’t be if I said no.
Don’t get me wrong - worship isn’t simply about us and what we get out of it. It’s not about our preferences or our feelings. Worship, at its core, is about God and his holiness. Our participation is a gift to him as we use the gifts that he has given us to glorify him. But as we use the gifts that he has given us to praise him, we can’t help but grow as well. We grow in understanding about who God is and who he created us to be. Our faith in who God is grows. And our connection to God’s people and the larger story of salvation grows as well.
Maybe you have said yes to being a part of a worship service like I have. If so, I hope you’ve gotten as much out of the experience as I have. If you’ve been asked and have said no, I hope that you’ll reconsider your answer the next time that you’re asked. And if you’ve never been asked and would like to be a part of your church’s worship services, reach out to whoever plans them and let them know. Oftentimes those of us that plan services regularly get stuck in a rut of asking the same people over and over again. I’m sure they’ll be glad to hear from you! You don’t need to be a professional reader or actor to use your gifts to glorify God and his people in worship. And I’m sure you’ll be changed through the experience like I have been.