Spiritual Depression: Being Sucked in by The World....a Worship Leader's Perspective

Psalm 73 was a Psalm written by Asaph, a professional worship-leader.  It chronicles his struggle with the world and the lack of limitations on those that don't follow God.  You can hear in his voice (in this song) his depression as sometimes following his beliefs instead of the liberty he sees around him in the world.  In verse 13 he starts a pity-party of how he has "acted" in such a way that honors God and leads others, yet he still struggles.


We all, who follow Jesus, find ourselves in times like this.  We start measuring our Christian actions against the world, measuring our purity and "sanity" with that of the world around us.  We forget that the key to our spiritual walk is not perfection in a pure heart, but in the relationship and worship of the One who gives that purity in spite of what's in our heart.  It's not whether or not we find ourselves worshipping idols at times in our lives, because we all will..., it's whether or not we realize it and try to burn them, returning to a worship of only God and Him alone.  It's not whether or not we find ourselves at times chasing other things that make us happy, for we all will..., but that when we realize what we are doing, we return to the only relationship that can truly make us whole.

There is only one way, in my journey, that can insure that I "catch" myself when drifting off-course:


*** Are we playing a part in God's story or are we inviting God to play a "bit-part" in ours?


When God is a piece of our story, it allows us to add other idols to our mix of "what makes me happy."  We put our relationship with God on a shelf with all kinds of other idols, measuring the happiness factor of different idols, switching from one to the other in an attempt to keep life elevated.  I know that to be true because it is my struggle.

When we decide to play a bit-part in God's story, we become part of something bigger than ourselves...part of a story that started with Creation and will end with the coming of The Lamb and our complete Justification.  It's a story that crowds out, by it's very existence in our daily life, all other idols.  It does this by our surrender to being a background actor to God's story and looking at life around us, realizing that the world just doesn't realize they are in God's movie...they still think they are writing a personal movie about them.

It makes me feel better to read Psalm 73, seeing another Worship Leader that struggles with what he sees around him in the world.  I know that I could make more money, get more happiness if I would just live like the world...but the Holy Spirit, luckely, keeps me in check and reminds me that I am a part of God's story...He is not just a part of mine.  He IS my story....and so I try to live my life reflecting His story....The Gospel.

I will fall, I will stray, I will find myself off-course....may I always be quickly reminded who this story is truly about....and it's not ME!

A Visit to Dry Bones....

My oldest son, Carson, has been wanting to work with the homeless in Denver in some way.  He also wants to explore avenues to lead his friends to working with them.  So we started a journey of meetings to investigate different homeless ministries and initiatives in the downtown Denver area.

Last week we met with Robbie, the Spiritual Director of Dry Bones.  I was so taken back from the first impression of this ministry that my heart start pounding.  They have "relationship" as their core value.  Dry Bones doesn't have an office, they have an apartment, down behind Coors Field (which is also why I like it).  They chose an apartment to office out of so that they had a place to offer showers and washing machines to wash clothes, hang out and eat/talk.  There is a large kitchen area with a big table where they can have meals with their "friends" as they call the people they serve.  This offers somewhat of a taste of homelife and a place to get off the streets for a bit.  This is all great stuff...then when you find out that they serve homeless teens, it really tugs at your heart!

Dry Bones on average has relationships with over 200 homeless teens and youth living on the streets of Denver daily.  Their ages range from 12-28.  These are kids sleeping on the streets and living their whole lives, not striving for their dreams, but just surviving.  Some know Christ, some don't....all need to be loved on!

Carson and I both were moved by the vision and processes that Dry Bones have in place.  I encourage you to visit the website link below and just read some of the stories.  We are both excited to be joining them for a street dinner this next Thursday night to get a feel for the ministry.  We signed up for their 101 class so that we can be cleared to do hands-on ministry with them on the streets of Denver.  I'm looking foward to getting my hands a little dirtier in the gospel story!

visit here:
http://www.drybonesdenver.org/

From their website:
Imagine entering a valley where dead things come to life. Bones without flesh suddenly rise up from the earth and receive breath, muscle, and skin. Death becomes life and life walks out forever changed. (Sounds a bit strange, but check out Ezekiel 37.)