Categories: uncategorized
Date: 21 September 2004 07:00:21
Goodness, what a big weekend! To start with the drive was beautiful, the sun was out and everything is lush green - unlike when we drove up here four months ago when brown was predominant. We saw lots of friends and family which was great fun, we caught up with everyone we wanted to and also fitted in a sunny afternoon stroll along the beach, sand between the toes, coffee at our beachside cafe - magic. It was nice to be back home for a visit because it felt more like a holiday, when we move back in a couple of weekd we'll both be getting ready for a summer's work and settling in to our share house again and that sort of thing.
One thing that struck me about the weekend was returning to church. It has been four months or more since we went, and it was strange. Sitting in a bright room with lots of families, all facing the front and reading the song lyrics on a big screen - it suddenly seemed very alien. I think that must be what it's like for normal people when (if) they come to church for the first time. It definitely provided me with some insights that I haven't had before.
1/ What is the point to church? I mean, I know it's praising god and learning and that odd thing "fellowship" and all that, but if you were new how would you know that? How would you know what to do?
2/ It's a bit like a concert, only without the usual focus on the lead singer of the band. The band is set back a bit at our church so they're not the focus. Instead, the projector screen seems to be the focus, which struck me as odd.
3/ Some parts seem like a business seminar. That's the only place most people would sit in rows and face the front to listen to a guy talk for 1/2 hour.
4/ There's lots of kids and older people. Up here at Hotham most people are 20-35.
5/ The whole atmosphere is very different to any other thing we do, which makes it seem not normal.
While the preacher was talking about worship and stepping out, two ducks walked past the window, shaking drops of water off their wings in the sunshine. They waddled happily past and I thought, Lord, make me like the ducks, able to accept your gifts with pure pleasure and praise you with simple gratitude.