WORSHIP OUT OF THE BOX

We had a really cool night last night at Harvest Youth. AND God had to teach me something again through my attitude.

So one of my youth leaders came up with the idea of doing a night called "worship out of the box," where basically, rather than the leaders doing everything for the students, the students prepared the entire evening, then presented the service to one another. Let me explain. The entire goal of this challenge was to give the students a real understanding of the importance of handling God's Word and the humbling opportunity to lead God's people. Every element of a service should be done with intentionality, creative thought, and Christ-centered faithfulness.

So before I get into the details, let me share where the night started with me. I planned things out for the week. Thought I was ready to roll. Went in to gather the last few tools to pull off the night, and realized the sound system was not set up and our sound guy was out of town for the evening. I started to set it up, but quickly got frustrated as time was up and kids were arriving. My attitude went a little south. My only thinking was how lame the night was going to be now. But, the time came to gather the students up and explain what they would do for the evening, so regardless of my attitude, I had to roll with it.

So we broke students up into five groups. One group had to create a creative worship space, one group plan a time of worship, one group plan communion, one group plan the message based on our theme verse Matthew 5:14-16, and one group was in charge of planning some upcoming events to present to the students. Each group had 45 minutes to get creative, plan out there part, and get ready to serve one another through the service.

As this was happening, I oversaw the worship group a little, ran around to make sure people were cool, and sort of mumbled under my breath with a bad attitude. 45 minutes came to an end and we came together for the service.

We walk in to an incredible worship space. Cross-centered, incredibly creative space! The team in charge of worship began to lead, opening with Psalm 96. I've never heard the students sing so loud! Together we worshiped in the presence of God. Out of the singing, the communion group stood up to set up communion. They did so beautifully with explanation, scripture, and prayer. Then the worship team began to play as students pondered the cross. The communion was set up in the back of the room with one light shining on it and benches for prayer all around. Before long the entire room was scattered with students praying out loud as they communed with Christ, and focused on the body and blood of Christ.

Tears. In my eyes. Heart overwhelmed.

So we got back together and the "message group" shared a time in the Word. It was good. They didn't preach fire and brimstone, but they related the passage of being a light in darkness in a biblical, applicational way to their peers. Then, they had a time for students to share ways that they have found they can be a difference, and a light in their schools, jobs, etc...Incredible to hear the maturity of various students who are doing it. So many are actually standing out for Christ. And finally, we ended with the final group sharing some upcoming service opportunities and events that will help our youth group "Be the Difference."

God smacked me in my big, dumb head last night. Sometimes, I put way to much thought and value in the logistics, planning, and elements of things, when none of that contains the Holy Spirit. God met with us last night because his children were doing their best with what they had. Each student there jumped all over their task, and performed their task to the glory of God, and God honored it. Why would I ever want to base the success of a worship service on my fallible efforts toward detail and planning. God moves where He wants to move, and God moves at the humble, self-sacrificing, Christ-centered efforts of His children. Praise God.

I thank God for correcting me last night. And I thanked the Youth for teaching me that meeting with the Lord goes way beyond me. I thanked them for their creative passion and desire to worship their Lord.

God is good. God is God. I am not.