I never have been too impressed by overblown productions, high flown rhetoric, or big shows designed to overwhelm. Something in me reacts against that sort of thing. Recently, I watched a broadcast from England that covered the pomp and splendour of the royals. Some people are wowed by the traditions, awed by golden coaches, and entranced by guards in scarlet uniforms. I can appreciate the beauty and tradition, but it seems to be such a wasteful use of resources in this world, serving little real purpose other than to overwhelm 'commoners' to sustain the illusion of the Crown's majesty. If the palaces were turned into open museums, the guards sent back to their regular military units, the coaches parked - England's royals would become like the Scandinavian royals, just ordinary people blending into society, with quiet influence.
Sometimes religion falls into the same reliance on hoohah! A lack of substance in ministry, a powerlessness to deal with real spiritual need, is obscured with ritual, rhetoric, loud music, or big shows. There is power in Christianity that will change the world. That power, Paul says, 'is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:19-22, NIV) That power flows from deep inside of us, from holiness of heart, and deep intimacy with God. The very things we often mistake for 'spiritual revival' - the grand productions featuring 'God's man of power for the hour,' - keep us, just ordinary folk, from living in an incredibly wonderful, world-transforming, empowering experience of the Holy Spirit.
An old joke circulated among preachers relates that the pastor, on reviewing his sermon notes and realizing his point was intellectually weak, wrote in the margins, "Point weak; shout loudly!" If we feel the need to shout to make our point, to rise to sweaty heights of emotional displays to cast down the strongholds of the devil, I fear the we have most likely fallen into self-fueled attempts at power, replacing the 'still, small voice' of the Holy Spirit with our amplified declarations, that echo meaninglessly into the caverns of evil!
We are warned about this in the Scripture. "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:8-10, NIV)
Read it again, this time from The Message: Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. ... They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.
Friend, don't get taken in by the 'show.' Don't let fast-talkers take your heart (or your money) away from the true Source of your hope and your power. Walk with Jesus. When you feel manipulated, pushed, pulled, or overwhelmed by personality driven 'ministry,' RUN, don't walk, away! Find a quiet place and listen for the Spirit's voice. There you will be empowered!
"The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, “Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15, NLT)__________________________
Only In God
Only in God, is my soul at rest.
In Him, comes my salvation.
He only is my Rock,
My strength and my salvation.
Only in God is found safety,
When my enemy pursues me.
Only in God is found glory,
When I am found meek and found lowly.
My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be afraid at all.
My stronghold, my Savior, I shall not be moved.
Only in God, is my soul at rest.
In Him, comes my salvation.
Author: Talbot, John MichaelCopyright: 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Mech) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
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