A Process, not an Event

Calvin Miller tells a story from his boyhood that is particularly appropriate for the feature of lifestyle worship that we'll present today. He says this:

I remember that first time in school when Mrs. Dirksen, my first grade teacher, asked me what my name was. I knew that. And then she asked me what my mother's name was. I said to her, "Momma."

She said, "No, that is not her name."

I said, "Yes it is. We all call her that."

"No," she said, "it's not 'Momma,' it's something else."

I said, "No, it's not."

She said, "Look, momma is what she is, momma is what she does, but Momma's not her name."

And I said, "Well, I'm sure you're wrong, but I'll ask her tonight."

Calvin continues: So when I got home from school that night, I was layin' for my momma to walk in the room. I said, "Momma, do you have another name besides 'Momma'?"

She said, "Well, yes, Son. My name is Ethel."

It sounded obscene, like she should have a twin sister named Regular or Unleaded.

Then she said, "And not only that, but I have a middle name, too. It's Faye."

And then she said, which was the most astounding revelation of all, "Miller is my last name."

This was one of those "Aha!" moments for the young Calvin Miller. He remembers thinking to himself in amazement, "It was the same name as I had!"

Miller concludes, "I have never forgotten that sense of growing awareness that dawned on me. That's how the mind is. According to Philippians 2:8, it's in the process of becoming.

Citation: Calvin Miller, "The Mind of a Servant," Preaching Today, Tape No. 51.

In prior broadcasts, we've presented several distinguishing features of lifestyle worship. As we honor God by making worship a way of life, these characteristics will emerge in your life and mine. As we make worship a way of life, we will grow to understand that . . .

• Lifestyle worship is simple, but not easy.
• Lifestyle worship welcomes heart, not formula
• Lifestyle worship is daring, not dull

Today, here is distinction #4: Lifestyle worship is a continuing process, not an instant event. This may seem so obvious that it need not be noted. However, the expectations of most people in Canada and the United States today have been profoundly affected by the instantaneous nature of our modern world.

Think of it: microwave ovens, fast-food restaurants, satellite communications, sound bytes, fast-paced TV action, incredibly quick computer calculations and a host of other developments with an emphasis on "hurry."

Given our mind-boggling technological capabilities, does it surprise you that we come subtly to expect our spiritual and mental sides to be "instantly" transformed into Romans 12:2 living? We read, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Then we think, "That sounds great to me; Zap me, Lord. Please renew my mind - now! Help me transform my behavior—right away. Make me an instant blessing to those around me."

In contrast, consider the implications of this passage from Philippians chapter 2:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

One way God the Son worshiped God the Father was by taking the time and going through the process of "coming in the likeness of men." His on-going obedience shows His commitment to process. His worship was a way of life.

We see the same principle over and over again in the Scriptures. In Psalm 1, in the life of Joseph and in the life of David, God trumpets process, process, process. In Paul, we see the process of dogged Godliness. The very verb God led Paul to use in Romans 12:2 concerning the renewing of our minds indicates that it is an on-going process rather than a one-time event.

In Jesus' time on earth, even Christ Himself submitted to the disciplines of process: fellowshiping, fasting, being tested, enduring, praying, working, waiting, sacrificing, suffering, abiding in God.

Think of it like marriage: Lifestyle worship is a one-time commitment, but that vow is affirmed time after time in a continuous series of choices and actions of one kind or another.

Think of it like fruitfulness: Juicy, refreshing fruit does not pop out of a tree branch like an apple out of a vending machine! Instead it emerges slowly and gradually, the product of time, nurture and winter.

If you and I are to live lives of worship, we must let the process begin. Then, if we're wise, we'll be patient. Significant living, we may discover, is closer to a fast than to a "hurry." Lifestyle worship is a continuing process, not an instant event.

© 2007 John Garmo. If you would be interested in using this article, please contact us at Info@MissionToChildren.org.