An Inkling
Have you ever been telling someone about some hysterical event, only to realize in mid-telling it that it’s no longer funny? Such realizations usually end with the explanation, “Well, I guess you had to be there.”
Context counts. We understand that readily enough with humor. The Aggie jokes they tell in Texas don’t elicit many laughs here in Virginia – unless you tell them as West Virginia jokes.
Context counts in worship too. You can tell someone about a song you sung or a sermon you heard, but it usually leads to the same blank stare that greets a joke out of context. You have to be there. As wonderful as audio and video recordings are, they don’t even come close to capturing the reality of worship.
Why? Hearing words is one thing. But it’s another thing entirely to hear those words together with the people to whom you have been joined by God’s calling, and with whom you have shared much joy and sorrow. Hearing music recorded in a service is one thing. Experiencing such music with your partners in faith is another altogether.
Besides, the most important element of worship cannot be recorded at all: it is the presence of God. He shows up for worship in ways that are never predictable, nor even fully describable. But his presence is always life-giving. Yes, God is present everywhere, but his presence becomes dynamic when the Spirit joins us in worship.
“Well, I guess you had to be there.” We won’t try to explain last Sunday. We’ll just invite you to join with us this Sunday!
See you then!
Keith
