Still Chewing
Have you ever gone to church and your pastor ushered you somewhere with his message that left you scratching your head?
He’s not really confusing, just sometimes I hit an information overload. Kind of feels like when you are running late to the movies and you have to take the dreaded front row seats. You know the ones where you actually have to turn your head back and forth to try and take it all in. But more times than not your headache sets in before the plot of the movie does. All this to say tonight was one of those nights at church. My pastor is quite amazing to watch. This man has the ability to find passages of scripture that the normal person may simply skim through. Not only does he find them he will feast on them like a big ol’ fat steak. And because of that, the church body is developing a pretty hearty appetite as well. And tonight was no exception.
We are always encouraged to take these teachings into our everyday lives, but for me it is a little bit different. Mainly because of what i do in MercyMe. I don’t consider myself a preacher but rather that guy that shares moments between our songs. It would be hard to relay the message for a couple of reasons: A) If I tried to relay what I am feasting on at my home church, it would take so much time, I would be lucky to get one song in. B) It simply could not be done in one night during an hour and fifteen minute set.
So how do I take what I am feeding on at my home church and relay the message to all the people that come to hear MercyMe? Well I am not sure if this is the right way, but it is certainly one way of doing it. Whenever my pastor preaches, it is as if he is painting a huge mural where every stroke of the brush is working towards something much bigger, but sometimes the mural is so big, so overwhelming that, to take it all in, is near impossible. But i think what makes a good painting a masterpiece is when you find something within the art that calls to you. Whether it’s the boat on the sunset you may have missed the first time you looked, or the “what was running through her mind” smirk on an otherwise “simple” Mona Lisa. There is just something there that keeps you coming back. Well tonight, while Ben was preaching, I was just about to go cross eyed with data overload, then like a beacon in the night, something was said that has kept me awake late enough to be writing this blog.
It may not be much to you, but this little nugget had perfect timing for my life right now. Are you ready to hear it? Ok brace yourselves! The rain falls on the just and the unjust. That’s it! We have this mentality that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people, and unfortunately there are some mighty big churches that bank on this theory. It’s a pretty simple truth really. Bad things can and probably will happen to good people. Just read Job. Also good things can happen to bad people. Just read the rest of the old testament. Or better yet…if you are reading this and have a relationship with Christ, then you are a great example of good things happening to bad people. There was nothing good about us before Christ. To think that the rain only comes to those who are considered unjust is a scary place to be if you are one justified in Christ. Because the rain will come whether you believe it or not. And doubt will set in because “this was not supposed to happen to me unless I am really one of the unjust!?!” Here’s a thought, maybe it is not about us at all! Maybe, just maybe, it is more about God getting His Glory at all cost. Maybe God is at the helm of every storm that comes your way rejoicing in what you will become once the storm clears which ultimately glorifies Him. Maybe God truly enjoys saving the damsel in distress. Maybe He hardens the hearts of pharaohs and allows my son to live with juvenile diabetes for the same reason….to somehow get His glory!
Why is this good news? Because when God is glorified, the body of Christ wins. Bottom line is, If everything somehow works for the glory of God, and I believe it does, then the just, the unjust and the rain that falls on both all have a purpose…to glorify a mighty sovereign God.
Thanks Ben. I’ll be chewing all week.
-bart
Hey guys. First time visiting the blog (found you via Brody), and I think it’s great that you all are planning to keep up with this!
In regard to this post, I have experienced things like this many times. I like how you put it, Bart, when you compared it to a mural and finding something in the art that calls to me. That is very true, and after a while, we manage to get the whole thing taken in so that we can fully grasp it.
I think discussion is really key to working through massive sermons like this, too, which is why I really enjoy the fact that my community often spends time together after services to go out and fellowship and talk.
Take care, guys. And welcome to the blogosphere!
That’s something I’ll have to chew on myself. It makes total sense and I wish I hadn’t read that when I have work to do.
I once read a book where J.R. Mahon talked about the “tuck”. “Tuck” = a verse you have read many times over and then it just comes “untucked” in your heart and head.
HA!
Good to see you joined the blog world
I have been a long-time fan of MercyMe and was very fortunate to attend the Uprising Festival in Denver, Colorado this past July. What a great day!
I just bought “All That Is Within Me” today. I’m glad I decided to buy the CD rather than just download it; because otherwise, I wouldn’t have found out about your foundation for juvenile diabetes. I have a child (daughter) with Type 1 Diabetes too. She was diagnosed 4 1/2 years at the age of 10, and I still haven’t accepted it. I keep praying for one of God’s miracle healings, but until then I’ll lean on the promise that He will use it for His Glory. Thanks for the reminder.
I have to tell you what a wonderful blessing it was to hear MercyMe in concert this past Sunday night in our city. MercyMe was the last group and what a blessing….. all the groups were good, but MercyMe was my favorite because the entire set felt like a praise and worship session at church….it was so amazing, so powerful and so uplifting. Thank you for the ‘tidbits’ you share…thank you for the ministry in song….I know many that were blessed last Sunday.
Jules
I first attended a concert of MercyMe in Greenville, SC several years ago and was immediately struck by the anointing on the group. It is one thing for Christian musicians to say the words, but it’s something much more powerful for the audience to feel them to their core. I saw you again in Raleigh a couple of years ago, and my feeling was the same. Though it is hard to understand the reasons we have to endure hardships, I’m reminded of something a pastor once said along the lines that Satan’s not going to take the time to bother the lukewarm, because they’re not a threat to him; it’s only those who are committed to living for Christ that are. Let me just say that you have touched many lives with your music and, more importantly, the sincerity you show. May God bless you and keep you strong.
I really enjoyed this post. The analogy of the mural is awesome! Your little nugget of amazing truth is one that I have had hit me a lot this past year… I love your song “Bring the Rain.” Like you said, God rejoices in what we will become due to our storms. I am forever grateful for the very difficult times I’ve had in my life… I don’t need easy. I just need Jesus. Thanks for the reminder (and thanks for your song “Bring the Rain” … a frequent reminder to me of how my God works in my life).
Looking forward to keeping up with your blog! I enjoyed this post!
~Leslie
Great post! (I just found your blog through Boomama.) I can sit in Sunday School on any given Sunday and see how it rains on the “just”. But, at the same time I can see how God is moving, forming and shaping their lives in His image. I’ve seen it my own life as well. It’s a strange process, but leaves me awe everytime.
Welcome to the Land of Blog!!!
“The rain falls on the just and the unjust.”
Wow. That really made me stop and think.
Looking forward to reading more of your thoughts!
Anticipating HIM!
steph.
Welcome to the blogosphere!! I am thankful to have found your blog and look forward to watching the Lord use it.
Blessings to you and your new voice!
Welcome to the world of blogging. I look forward to checking you guys out in the future.
Bart,
Good read. Glad to hear you have a good church. I have heard great things from Greg. Hope things are well, good to hear from you and Shannon at Christmas. Looking for a Mini still have yours?
Kyle
My niece has juvenile diabetes also. She was diagnosed about 4 years ago, when she fell ill with what my sister thought was a bad case of the flu, and ended up in a coma with her blood sugar over 850. Praise God for answering our prayers, though, as He brought her out of that coma, and now, at the tender age of 9, she continuously BLOWS MY SOCKS OFF with her gratitude and love and ZEAL for our Lord! There WILL be a cure in their lifetime! I will be purchasing your new CD very soon!
We were just talking about this very same topic on Wednesday evening too. Our Pastor posed a question… “If you were looking at a target with all the red and white circles… and the bulls eye was God’s perfect will… where do you think Job fell? SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE.” Amazing, isn’t it? That even though we might be smack dab in the middle of God’s perfect will, we’re going to have rain in our lives!!! And along with the rain comes growth. Thanks for sharing your heart on this.
You know, I’m still having a tough time reconciling God hardening people’s hearts. If they don’t get a choice in the matter, how is He really a loving God?
I have no problem with people, “good” or “bad” as they may be, experiencing hardships. Hardships can be used to drive us to the Lord. But to harden someone’s heart to the point that they will go to hell…isn’t that just playing the part of some cruel Puppet Master?
That said, thank you for being one of the only bands out there who has theology deeper than a puddle.
Bart,
Your post is really amazing and encouraging. Its neat that God used your pastor to speak to you and your words and thoughts from that to speak to others.
Take care!
I had a miscarriage in December. God taught me what peace that goes beyond understanding feels like. He was and is glorified in my suffering. He tenderly carried me through it all (and still is). I rejoice that my precious son or daughter is looking at the face of Christ today. I have so much more to look forward to now when it’s my turn to go home to Heaven.
Thank you for these words and for your music. I can’t describe how it has touched my life.
Heidi Reed
Florida