Women in Worship by Donna Patrick Contributing Writer June 27, 2007

Many of us have heard the expression spoken, usually in anger “She/He almost made me lose my religion!” Or in a temptation scenario when we were just about to give that person a piece of our minds, we’ve used the same words. It all boils down to some situation where we’ve been made so angry or became so agitated that we almost did something we would not normally do.

I would like to put a twist on that statement we sometimes make – even in jest. What if you really did lose your religion? Not out of anger, or any other emotional upset. Suppose you just lost it?

When we consider religion from a definitional standpoint we’ll find words like “attitudes, beliefs and practices, [institutionalized] rules, observations or rituals.” This is what the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were about. (See Mark 7:5-9) In fact, verse 8 of this passage notes “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. . .” They observed religious traditions learned from their forefathers, but did not believe that Jesus had been anointed to preach the gospel and set captives free. They didn’t believe Jesus had been sent into the world to redeem the sinner. Jesus did not die and rise again so we could engage in dry, lifeless, ritualistic exercises. Jesus died that we may enter into meaningful, loving fellowship with Him.

How many times have we refused to raise our hands with joy in worship because “we don’t do that in our church?” How often have we been moved to shout to the Lord, but idn’t because prior teaching said it was irreverent to do so? Jesus is not after our dead traditions, rules and restrictions – He’s after relationship; uninhibited, true, heartfelt relationship with Him. A general definition of “relation” is kinship by blood. There is a blood line running between my parents and my siblings; just as it is with your biological family. We are related to the Lord Jesus by blood, too (Eph. 1:5, 2:13).

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Fresh! Thank you for this fresh word on worship.Sometimes I think there are far too many introspective, how-to's regarding worship. It has become a 'thing' instead of a relationship.I hope you stick around and write many more life-provoking articles...more Submitted by: Annie Location: Western WA.
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