This past Sunday, while visiting several dear college friends in the Seattle area, one of my best friends in the world, Schmikle Menconi, invited me to attend a late evening concert at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral. Not knowing what to expect, or who might attend, I was greatly amazed at the turnout. I was joined by 400 or so other listeners, and what an eventful 30-minutes it was.
As I sat and listened to a glorious acapella chorus of 30 monks, I felt great renewal in my soul. I was reminded of the late Rich Mullin's words, "Saints and children we have gathered here, to hear the sacred story. And I gladly bring it to you with my best rhyming and rhythm." I kept dwelling on God's goodness, and how great a tool music is, and how it can penetrate the soul of man.
Of all the chants that were sung, one phrase stuck out the most: "God from whom all blessings flow". We have all heard it many times in the doxology, but this time, for some reason, I kept meditating not on the What of blessings we're given, but the Why. Cause I don't believe that God chose us, or blessed us, so we could heap those blessings upon ourselves. And I don't believe he chose us, or elected us, so that we could be happy or pious; for there are enough pious and happy people in the world. But what I do believe God chose us for, and blessed us for--is to make a difference in the world.
And there are lot of people in this world who haven't heard of the gospel of Christ, and His love. And sometimes I find it difficult to fathom how I can spend $15-16 a hit to hear some flashy Christian group with great lighting and sound sing Jesus is Lord, when there are people that live not far from me, who can't even afford to buy a Bible. And I find even weirder, that in a country where there are so many pastors and few people, there are numerous parts of the world crying out for a pastor, but they cannot find them, because they are all in our country.
What God called us for and what God called us to, it to make a difference. Because He desperately wants to make a difference in this world. And the crazy thing I find about God is He didn't leave any plan B. He left the church, and the church is the only group of people in the world, and the only institution in the world that can bring about a change.
And we're not going to make a difference by building more bombs, or by putting on more makeup and showing up on television screens, or having the loudest P.A. at our gatherings or flashy concerts. We're gonna make a difference when we choose to lay down our lives, and in complete submission to God, choose to die with Him--in service to other people.
May blessings pour unto the monks from St. Mark's, because a difference was made to me and all the other 400 or so attendees. Thanks God for music, and its effect on people.
Sam
