This article from "Out of Ur" reminds us that we must have Good Friday before we move to Easter Sunday, darkness before the dawn.
Don't Forget to Grieve
Why every worship service shouldn't be a "celebration."
by Bob Hyatt
I once attended a Good Friday service where the pastor encouraged us to look at Good Friday positively, to see the crucifixion through “Easter eyes.” To be honest, the bright lights and the upbeat music and mood felt to me like a missed opportunity. His intentions were good. He wanted to protect us from feeling defeated as we meditated on the death of Christ. But in doing so, he robbed us of exactly the feeling and experience that Good Friday is meant to give us.
Those of us who inhabit the sphere of “American Christianity” live in a world that doesn’t know when, how, or even why to grieve. For us, Christianity is about victory, it’s about feeling better about ourselves. It’s upbeat, inspiring, short, and peppy. I know one pastor of a large church who once asked his worship leaders not to play any songs written in a minor key. Too much of a downer.
Full article here
We seem to be getting further and further from the truth.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, we want resurrection without death, healing without sickness, eternity without death. While that would all be nice, the universe doesn't work that way- and neither does God.
ReplyDeleteIt's as if people are trying to fit God to us rather than the other way around.
ReplyDeleteWe've been doing that ever since Eve listened to the snake.
ReplyDelete