Recently, at a McDonald's restaurant, I took my cup to the service center to get more drink to take with me. I had ice in the cup, but I looked at it, then got a little more ice. Then, I filled it up with drink and I left. How did I know I needed more ice?
Ice is interesting because everyone has an idea about how much is "the right amount." Watch people sometime. Some people will fill the cup all the way with ice, some people take no ice at all, and most of us are in-betweeners. Sometimes, the difference is based on what you are drinking. When I drink iced tea, I fill it all the way with ice. When I drink Diet Coke, not so much. I have a son who never uses ice, but, one day, he will get ice just because he wants it. My wife and I have never agreed on how much ice to use. When we lived in the Pacific Northwest, we never got "enough ice" because people there use almost no ice.
In short, everyone has an idea about how much ice is "right," but there is no actual "right" at all. We all differ on the amount of ice.
Why, then, are we surprised that we differ on other things? In church services, everyone has an idea about what music is "right" and what music is "too much" or "not enough." If we meet their standard, then we had a "good service" but if there was "too much music" then the service was not very good. Or, if there was "not enough music," then the service was "cold."
We are the same about types of music. If we get the music we like, then we are happy, but if the music is "too loud" or "too fast" or "too modern" or "too old-fashioned," then we are unhappy.
What do we do when we plan a service? We try to hit a happy point of agreement. We may not have as much music as you like, but maybe more than someone else likes. We may not have the same kind of music this service as last service. We try to make sure that everyone gets something (some amount of ice) but we vary the amounts.
In our sermons, some would sit for an hour, but others for a shorter period, so we vary how long we preach. Some want deep theology and others want encouragement, so we mix deep theology and encouragement. We do all things for the sake of the chosen of God.
So, when the service seems dull because of the music, or the sermon is a little longer than you would like, or the whole service just seems to have too much ice, be patient. Think of those around you who are served in this way and rejoice that God is being worshipped.
Next week, we will change how much ice we put in the cup.
Ice is interesting because everyone has an idea about how much is "the right amount." Watch people sometime. Some people will fill the cup all the way with ice, some people take no ice at all, and most of us are in-betweeners. Sometimes, the difference is based on what you are drinking. When I drink iced tea, I fill it all the way with ice. When I drink Diet Coke, not so much. I have a son who never uses ice, but, one day, he will get ice just because he wants it. My wife and I have never agreed on how much ice to use. When we lived in the Pacific Northwest, we never got "enough ice" because people there use almost no ice.
In short, everyone has an idea about how much ice is "right," but there is no actual "right" at all. We all differ on the amount of ice.
Why, then, are we surprised that we differ on other things? In church services, everyone has an idea about what music is "right" and what music is "too much" or "not enough." If we meet their standard, then we had a "good service" but if there was "too much music" then the service was not very good. Or, if there was "not enough music," then the service was "cold."
We are the same about types of music. If we get the music we like, then we are happy, but if the music is "too loud" or "too fast" or "too modern" or "too old-fashioned," then we are unhappy.
What do we do when we plan a service? We try to hit a happy point of agreement. We may not have as much music as you like, but maybe more than someone else likes. We may not have the same kind of music this service as last service. We try to make sure that everyone gets something (some amount of ice) but we vary the amounts.
In our sermons, some would sit for an hour, but others for a shorter period, so we vary how long we preach. Some want deep theology and others want encouragement, so we mix deep theology and encouragement. We do all things for the sake of the chosen of God.
So, when the service seems dull because of the music, or the sermon is a little longer than you would like, or the whole service just seems to have too much ice, be patient. Think of those around you who are served in this way and rejoice that God is being worshipped.
Next week, we will change how much ice we put in the cup.