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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Worship (corporate) (10/04/07)
I settled into my seat ready for a “make-me-feel-good” sermon, something that would stroke my ego, reassure me I was doing “it” right. I had a reputation to maintain among my associates, so getting “it” right was as important as the next business deal. I listened intently, but within the first five minutes, I mentally plugged my ears. I was new to this church and the pastor was going to speak on giving my first Sunday here? The audacity of the man! My ears stayed firmly plugged as I thought about something more pleasant, like the pretty blonde sitting next to me... oh, right, my mind shouldn’t wander like that, after all, I’m a moral man. I began to think about how pure and holy I was.

My mind stayed occupied during the whole sermon. I thought about how wonderful I was and about how much money I would make because of my integrity. Soon, I would be rolling in the dough. I had a nice nest egg going for myself. Jolted back to the present I heard these words from the pastor: “Now we’re going to put into practice what I’ve just preached on. Phil and Pam would you come up here please.” A young couple in their thirties walked up to the front looking somewhat startled.

The pastor spoke again. “Phil had to quit his job unexpectedly because of kidney failure. They are without an income...” He didn’t even finish speaking and people started getting up out of their seats to make their way to the front. I noticed that first man gave them an open Bible to hold and placed an already written check on the open pages.

My jaw was hanging open as I watched people line up clear to the back of the church, old and young alike, ready to give to this couple in need. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Then it hit me, these people were worshiping God in this act of selfless giving. Moving forward as one, they lifted their hearts in unified worship. I noticed that some people only had change to give, but they gave nonetheless, their lives touched by the plight of this young couple.

I looked at the young couple. Tears traced their cheeks as their eyes danced with joy.

I had to do something... this was touching me profoundly and I wanted in on this act of worship with Christ’s body as a whole. I made my way to the end of the line. By the time I got to the front, my face was wet with tears. The young woman’s face was glowing. She looked me right in the eye as she said, “Thank you, thank you so much. I don’t know why I’m going to share this with you, but I feel compelled to tell you. This morning I wrote on the last page in my journal and for some reason, I like writing in those fancy ones. I asked God this morning if He could please provide a way for me to get another one. I believed that He would. I had a knowing that He was going to provide that for me, because He cares about everything that concerns me, even to having something pretty to write my thoughts and prayers in. Now, here we stand blessed beyond what I even imagined. God bless you for your generous act today.”

Too choked up to speak, I could only nod. I moved away, thinking, pondering... The words she spoke to me had a lasting effect on me. She was living a life of simple faith, whereas I was out to conquer the world with my making sure I did “it” right. Seeing this body of believers, part of Christ’s church worshiping God in this way, deeply influenced me. I had never thought of giving as an act of worship in the body of Christ, but just as something done as one’s “duty” to the church, to make sure “it’s” right. Now, my eyes were open to seeing it as a corporate act of worship. So, now when the plate is passed, or there’s a sermon on giving I don’t cringe, but willingly open my heart to listen and to give.


*based on a true story
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Member Comments
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Date
Beth LaBuff 
10/18/07
I think you are honest and wrote what a LOT of us will not admit to ourselves. (pointing at myself here). ;)

It's amazing to me that God considers "giving" as part of worship! I really like that you used this aspect of worship in your writing. This is even better knowing it is based on a true story. Thanks, you've given us much to think about here!