A Tale of Two Encounters
Only seven days separated my two significant encounters with God in July 2006. Both were profound worship experiences. Both were in Sunday morning church services. Both changed me—as any encounter with the Almighty God will do. But that is the limit of their similarities. In every conceivable way these two experiences were drastically different.
I was attending the semi-annual leadership meetings of the mission organization with which my husband serves in the Washington D.C. area. A small group chose to attend the Sunday morning service held at the beautiful National Cathedral, a liturgical Anglican church. From my initial entrance into this neo-gothic cathedral, my eyes and my soul were transported up into the heavens. The architecture, stain glass windows, tapestries and art blended in concert to bring my mind and spirit into reverence and awe of the Creator and Redeemer God. Soon the organ swelled in musical praise and the ornately robed leaders of worship slowly walked up the aisle and onto the slightly raised platform to begin the service. Scripture passages were read, prayers expressed and congregant responses were given. Slowly, as my spirit entered into the corporate expression of worship I realized that I was encountering the holy, transcendent God of the universe. I was seeing God “high and lifted up” as Isaiah experienced and I was both humbled and lifted into the heavens. Reverence overwhelmed me and I bowed before the Almighty Creator God. I left the service in a spirit of awe and delighting the glorious mystery of God.
The following Sunday we returned to our little inner-city church in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina for the morning service. Because of a broken air conditioner in the old warehouse where we normally meet, the decision was made to change venues for one week. The only place available to us on such short notice was a local bar and funky art gallery. It was crowded with old tables, chairs and bar stools. Liquor bottles lined the walls. There was no beauty or order to be found here. The stark contrast from the week before amazed me. People were dressed in very casual summer clothes; the praise band was in jeans and shorts. Simple praise songs were led by a couple of guitars with the words displayed on a portable screen. I wondered how I could encounter God in such a chaotic setting and longed for the experience of the prior week.
As the morning progressed, different people shared the reality of their life and gave praise to God for a week free from their addictions to alcohol or drugs. Some talked about their struggle after leaving prison or the half-way house. Testimonies were given about the change God was producing in their lives that had been wrecked by sin and disastrous choices. The Scripture passage for the morning was displayed on the screen and everyone joined in the reading of it. As is our custom, the pastor asked the congregation to engage with the Word and respond to it. The room was filled with verbal responses, questions and explanations. Some spoke about the conviction in their heart as they read the passage. Others shared how God was personally applying His Word to their lives that morning and the difference obedience would make. Again I was overwhelmed in the presence of God—the Immanent, personal God who is actively transforming lives with this love and power. Again, I was humbled, yet overflowing with joy in His presence.
Two Sundays. Two services. Drastically different but essentially the same. I encountered the Holy, Transcendent, yet Immanent God of the universe in both. My prejudices, preferences and “needs” for worship were challenged. God changed me as I worshiped Him. Truly—wherever we meet together to worship God in spirit and truth, He is in the midst. While I still respond best to beauty and order, worship. . . encountering God. . . isn’t determined by the attractiveness of the scene or the order of service, nor the style of music--though all this can be an integral part of the worship experience. It is my attitude as I approach worship that determines if I experience God in a significant way. True worship should encompass all aspects of my life. May God be glorified and pleased as I come into His presence.