Not Safe for Worship

By now everyone knows that "not safe for work" means that media contain images or language that could get you fired if opened at work. Typically, that means items that are sexually explicit or that contain profanity.

Of course, this implies a dichotomy between "work life" and "private life."

Most people have also divided their lives into completely separate "sacred" and "secular" parts.

The "sacred" part involved "spiritual" stuff, which may include going to church on Sundays or saying prayers.

The "secular" part takes in everything else.

I had an experience just the other day that reminded me just how thick most people have made the wall between their "sacred" lives and their "secular" lives.

I was talking with a 40-year-old woman and her mother about the music they wanted to play at her (the daughter's) wedding. She said, "I was thinking about using this song I really like, but when I listened to it I realized that it was not appropriate for church."

I asked what the song was.

She said that it was "Imagine" by John Lennon.

I raised my eyebrows to say, "I'd reckon not." Then I tried to explain that the problem with the song was not that it was "inappropriate for church" but that it promoted a view of reality that was a complete contradiction of Christianity.

I didn't belabor the point and obviously didn't make my point clear.

She ended the short discussion with, "I really like the song, but it's not appropriate for church."

This is the kind of nonsense we end up with when we slice reality into two distinct parts.

This is the point the Apostle Paul was making when he said, "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If it is not safe for worship, it is not safe—full stop.

• It's not enough that we try to practice Christian principles in our business. We must see our work life as part of our worship.
  
• It's not enough that we try to be good sports in our recreation. We must see our play as bringing honor to God.
  
• It's not enough that we try to avoid road rage. We must think of driving as an act of worship.
  

This reminds me of another shocking statement I heard this week. The president of a community organization that exists to promote good character said that she was reluctant to install a license plate holder endorsing the organization, because she was afraid that her driving might not be consistent with the ideals of "good character."

I used to be that way about identifying myself as a Christian driver.

But if we are going to be true followers of Jesus Christ, we must be serious about it when we are driving, when we are relaxing, and when we are listening to music.

There is no part of our lives disconnected from our worship.

Pastor Rod

"Helping You Become the Person God Created You to Be"