FOR LIGHT OR LAUGHTER

By Travis W. Lewis

April 1, 2000

 

The following essay was initially published in the April, 2000 issue of Reveille newsletter and has been edited for publication on goldenbowlpublications.net website on August 10, 2024.

(Preface Note: As used in this article, “entertainment” refers to amusement, diversion, or pastime, neither of which Holy Scripture condemns altogether. Neither do I. (tl)

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Scene 1: It is a cool Saturday afternoon during October in Knoxville, Tennessee, and more than one-tenth of a million people have packed the great chasm of Neyland Stadium. Exuberant confidence prevails as longtime football foe, the University of Florida Gators, has already arrived on the playing surface below. Then, from underneath this massive edifice rolls a huge wave of orange and white and as the “T” having been formed by the Pride of the Southland Band splits, the University of Tennessee Volunteers charge through on their way to the home side of the immaculately manicured field. As if our handpicked soldiers have come to confront those who would threaten our families and land, the existing roar erupts into a totally deafening explosion.

Even dispositions that are normally reserved and contained to mere smiles and handclapping immediately convert into hysterically bellowing screams as the band blasts Down The Field in its utterly unique fashion. During the following hours-long contest, all logic cowers to raw emotion as shouts of encouragement and instructions continually pour forth, though lost in the clamor before being heard even three rows below, much less by the contestants, coaching staff, or officials to whom they are addressed. Though the contestants employ their every skill and exert their utmost strength, the height of the on-the-field excitement appears to be no match for that which pours from the stands.

Two hours later: The contest concludes. Most of the exhausted crowd leaves satisfied with the “victory”. “We have won.” But have “we” actually “won”? If so, what are the spoils that reward the victor? By the experience, have we been made stronger, smarter, healthier, richer, more relaxed, or in any way refreshed and more prepared for the challenges of life? Have we actually profited from having expended all this energy, time, and resources? Perhaps with somewhat of an imagination stretch, we could answer, “Yes,”, but for the most part, have we not been only entertained by allowing our minds and emotions to be ferried to a fantasy land for just a little while, and only of necessity return to reality of life?

Scene 2: We are sitting in a church pew on Sunday morning. Among the congregation, excitement builds and electrifies the air. Songs of “praise” fill the air as thrilled voices rise and swell in harmony. Strains of “Holy Manna” and “There’s Power In The Blood” progressively elevate spirits prior to the morning sermon. At approximately the half-hour point of the service, the pastor comes forward and pours forth a monologue of encouragement seasoned with a fair amount of intermingled and rather disguised reproof. An audible “Amen” is occasionally interjected as the sword of the Lord is purportedly wielded against the forces of Satan. Silent nodding of heads frequently express approval of points being brought to light. Further tugging heartstrings near the service end, a young lady comes forward, announcing that she has recognized her separation from God and realized her inability to save herself from His wrath, begged His pardon and knows He has accepted her. Soon, words of pastoral admonition precede a prayer, and the “service” ends.

Though the experience of the past hour is hardly mentioned in conversation, if at all, following the benediction, departure may actually find an undetermined number encouraged with a zeal truly heightened to a point of being eager to challenge Satan in the world’s marketplace. Who but the Lord can tell of who or how many have actually worshipped? Only tomorrow will provide evidence to us mortals. Perhaps for those apparent few, the day’s meeting has heated their interest from a spark of hope to blazing coals of faith that will surely warm some cold, discouraged hearts in the workplace tomorrow. For these, the morning “service” has been time well spent. Truly, they are spiritually richer, stronger, healthier, and much more adequately prepared for the counterattacks which Satan surely has in store.

For others, the last “Amen” silently signals a switch from the mode of “spiritual” back to “normal.” Strains of “Holy Manna” are instantly changed to “Where we eatin’ lunch?” Thoughts of “Old Time Religion” subtly change to ole-time politics, and meditations of “Power In The Blood” switch to power over my neighbor. For these, this weekly injection of “church” satisfies whatever need felt for God. By this “spiritual” experience, however, are these folks actually spiritually stronger, smarter, healthier, richer or in some way more enlightened, refreshed, or adequately prepared for the challenges of life?

Question: Am I one of those who has expended all this energy, time, and resources – the effects of which are now evaporated? If so, have I not actually been only entertained, and the “god” whom I assume to have just now worshipped may not be the one to whom I must eventually give account? Hopes, dreams, role-playing, excitement – all these “feelings” are common to, and profoundly involved in, both entertainment and worship. Be assured that Satan is a skilled artisan in blurring the line between the two.

But how are we to determine between the two – “worship” and “entertainment?” In 1 John 4:1, the apostle admonishes, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” To “try” the spirits is to “test” or “prove” whether what we “feel” in our attempts at worship of God are actually what we assume. But how may we “test”, or “prove” the spirits? Genuine worship invariably converts into service toward the object of our worship, whether it be another person, ourselves, a “feeling”, or the Son of God. Unless our worship is crowned with service, then we may have been only entertained, with our time, energy, and resources having faded, much as the winds of excitement in Neyland Stadium mentioned previously.

When we worship in spirit and in truth as Scriptures mention, we become more enlightened, inspired, and thus drawn to the ways of Jesus and not toward the antics or acts of another. When we have worshipped “in spirit and in truth” on Sunday, we love more and hate less on Monday; we develop a desire to help the helpless more and to be helped less; we build up more and tear down less; we pray more and gossip less; we intercede more for others and less for ourselves. Peace of mind replaces burden of heart, and our predisposal to revenge gives way to forgiveness. And such doesn’t change with either times, custom, or location.

To assume we have “worshipped” when we have only provided or received entertainment must be a sharp disappointment to God. (2) “But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24. When worship truly happens, attention is focused not on an action or reaction from one of us, but on the Lord, Jesus. Toward Him alone, our thoughts are affixed, and our affections are enflamed! The intimation in “the Father seeketh such to worship Him” is that the gates to true worship are strait, and that such worshippers may be rare. Nevertheless, such is what He insists upon.

When God comes to inquire, the pivotal question will not be who worshipped where or with whom or in what format, but who worshipped “in spirit and in truth.” So, did I worship? Was I enlightened and encouraged toward a higher plane of thought and service – or was I only entertained? Maybe our interests are best served if we face these questions before time runs out to correct our course. Ω ©