Week 6 | Wednesday

Read: Ephesians 3:14-20

Posture is important when we gather to worship God with one voice. If we come to church with our own agenda, we will measure everything through preset expectations. Will they play songs I like? Will I be fed by the sermon? How loud will the music be? Will some new person be sitting in my seat?

Sunday worship services are like wedding receptions. Wedding ceremonies are about the bride and groom; they’re for the bride and groom. While receptions are still about the happy couple, they’re for the guests. Wedding receptions are big parties put on by the couple (and probably paid for by their parents) to celebrate with their family and friends. If you’ve ever been a bride or groom, you know – you don’t get to party like your guests. Receptions are a lot of work, but it’s all worth it. Your mission is for your guests to have a great time. 

Most of us would never dream of going to a wedding reception as guests with a predetermined list of expectations. Will the couple dance to a song I like? Will I be fed by the toasts? How loud will the music be? They better have more than chicken or fish. I don’t like chicken or fish. There are going to be people there I don’t know. What if one of them is sitting in the seat I want?

If you go into a wedding reception thinking about what a good time you will have and everything you will enjoy as the evening goes perfectly according to your plans, you will be disappointed. While the party is for you, it’s not about you. Leave your expectations at home. 

If you go in with open eyes, ears, hearts, and hands, you will see, hear, feel, and experience the newlyweds’ joy as you celebrate with the other guests! 

That’s Sunday worship. If you go to Sunday worship thinking about what a good time you will have and all the things you will enjoy as the service goes perfectly according to your plans, you will eventually (if not immediately and repeatedly) be disappointed. While the service is for you, it’s not about you. Leave your expectations at home and come to church with open eyes, ears, hearts, and hands. When you do, you will see, hear, feel, and experience an encounter with the Holy Spirit that transcends anything you could have hoped for or imagined (Ephesians 3:20)!

Pray about your posture. What expectations do you need to leave at home so you can enter church ready to worship God with open eyes, ears, heart, and hands?