My Favorite (and Least Favorite) Scene after Worship
I love worship. I tell people regularly that worship is hard for me because, if I am not truly focused on a song or a prayer, my mind will go to my sermon and be “rehearsing” what I’m about to say. Still, though it is hard work, I love it.
And sometimes during a worship service, we will have a public response. Often, it is someone who is a Christian and is seeking prayers of forgiveness or encouragement. What a joy to pray together! At other times, it is one who is lost but desires to put Christ on in baptism. There is no greater way to end a worship service than by seeing one’s eternity change!
And then we have that final prayer, and both my favorite and least favorite scenes play out.
My favorite scene is “the line.” At Central, that line to greet, hug, and encourage those who have responded publicly often stretches the entire length of the auditorium (and sometimes longer). People wait for such a long time because each one wants to be a blessing and encouragement to this one who has shown faith and courage to come up and be immersed or this brother or sister who has sought prayers. I don’t always cry when I see this scene, but it is not unusual at all for my eyes to well up as the line just keeps going and going. Old, young, black, white, rich, poor, men, women…all joined together to encourage. It just doesn’t get better than that.
But, as I look at “the line,” I also see my least favorite scene. What is it? It’s people who just leave. They just walk out. Here is one who has had his or her eternity changed…and they just leave without so much as patting them on the back.
I can never wrap my mind around it. And it aches my heart every single time.
What a blessing they are missing. What an opportunity to be a blessing they are missing. What a joy they are missing.
For what? To get to a restaurant sooner? To be a few steps closer to a nap? To not be late for a meeting?
I’m certain there might be times when the reason is justified. Maybe someone isn’t feeling well or something along those lines. And, maybe, they will take some time that week to call or write the person and give them encouragement. I certainly hope they do.
But most…just leave. Oh, what they are missing.
Those responses are special. But they are more than just special. They are moments that touch eternity! Who would not want to spend just a few minutes helping to encourage one who is now closer in their walk with Jesus. I don’t ever want to walk out on that.
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
