Forbidden Worship

I grew up in a church that, in essence, drew up strict guidelines as to what could constitute ‘worship’. Worship to God was a corporate duty, an act of reverence done within the walls of a church building. And within those strict guidelines imposed by church leadership, acts of worship were to be performed – oh, excuse me! – facilitated by men. Women near the alter during the time of corporate worship was a forbidden transgression.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was only mentioned during the Christmas season, depending upon whether or not the Church of Christ we were attending that year (adventurous relocation was a favourite family pastime) even believed in celebrating Christmas (possibly a topic for a future post, if I can summon up the energy for that discussion). Her magnificent prayer, the Magnificat, found in the Gospel of Luke, was barely breathed and rarely intoned, so sadly I was never made much aware of it. Certainly, this lovely piece of scripture was never called ‘the Magnificat’ in my childhood presence, as at the time, most of the adults around me seemed to be categorically incensed at all the Catholics nearby and around the world.

God has graciously shown me through the years how different friends have come to know Him. Their testimonies are tapestries vibrant with colour. Some are variations on a theme of mine, whilst others are miracles one can only marvel at. God creatively draws people into relationship with Himself. All the evangelistic ‘methodology’ brilliantly applied can go pear-shaped when God decides to become artistically active in ‘winning souls’ His way.

He has had lots of fun in reordering my own limited thinking on several occasions. My journey with Him began from birth and I felt The Road at a very early age. From the earliest recollections, I have always loved:

1. Hymns, with their glorious message of Christ sung through meaningful poetry and prose;
2. Singing a cappella with others, in close, inspired, spontaneous harmony;
3. Pianos, and the many ways they can sound.

Now, if I had been enrolled as, say for example, a Baptist, this would have been icing on the church cake. And, initially, if I had been born a male, just stick little old me in my Moses basket in between the choir and the organist or church pianist, and let me sing my developing lungs out in rapture and ecstasy!

But, alas, God in His mysterious wisdom and ultimate creativity decided to make me a girl, then bonded me and my Moses basket to a pew several rows back from the alter. Far away from the men and that guy holding the ‘pitch pipe’ (another topic for a future post). Because, in a strange twist of divine intervention, the pews I was grounded on as a child were in churches where instrumental music was yet another major transgression.

The Forbidden Worship imposed upon the heart and mind of this child were three-fold:

1. Worship as an uninhibited expression of my adoration and love to God and Christ;
2. Full spiritual development as a person of God because He created me female;
3. Using the piano or other instruments to:

• glorify His wondrous power and might in creation;
• evoke His love, joy, and peace;
• bring His ageless stories to life!

Travelling beyond each new decade marker, the blessings of learning and experience are indeed profound. It becomes easier to identify the best of the good things I learned on those pews, and to realise that they are a pleasing part of the fabric God has woven into my own tapestry. Throughout the years in our journey together, His inexplicable grace and the life of Jesus have rescued me from that stark, uncomfortable pew set back at a glaring distance from the ‘alter’. He has used wide brush strokes to place me closer to that place of ultimate devotion and communion with Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.

A reference to Myers-Briggs was made in an earlier post on this site (30th April). The MBTI is a very solid and successful tool used in many professions and amongst academics to assess one’s personality/psychological type. You can access the link to their site by clicking above on today's title.

I have taken the complete formal MBTI instrument three times: in 1987 as a requirement for Seminary studies; again in 1990 for post-graduate studies at a different university; and recently this year, an informal administration of this tool as a way of re-visiting my ‘type’ prior to spiritual development offered through the Rochester Diocese. In each decade the results have been the same: I am undoubtedly ENFP. My husband John is INTJ. (See below for our sample MB prayer types.)

I mention this because each one of us is a new creation designed especially by our loving God. The MBTI is one fascinating way of finding out what makes you tick. It only requires that you be totally honest with yourself. It is amazing to re-discover our inner child by uncovering all the layers of influence moulding our lives. It is an eye-opener to be made aware of which influences come from God, and which come from our fellow man.

When we get to the heart of the matter and find out what influences have forbidden worship in our lives, we feel God’s abiding presence to the fullest. What a joyous release! God created the INTJ with the same love and compassion He created the ENFP. When we are aware of each other’s types, we can appreciate and respect each other’s journey on the road to worship in a whole new light. We might even be able to help clear up the cluttering influences in each other’s paths if we know what to watch out for.

In his book, ‘The Purpose Driven Life’, Rick Warren reminds us that we were planned for God’s pleasure. This pleasure we bring God is worship. Warren writes: …’ the best style of worship is the one that most authentically represents your love for God.’

• Have you misplaced your original and unique practice of pleasing God as certain influences have crowded around and invaded His space in your life?
• What influences have forbidden worship in your life-time?
• Have you noted God’s ingenious ways of ‘diversion’ to bring you back into His presence?
• How do you influence worship in the hearts and minds of the children around you?

With Forbidden Worship, Part II, I’ll visit the journey of re-direct God performs in His desire to draw us ever nearer in our worship to Him.
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What a relief that our Lord accepts all ‘types’! Prayer samples for two Myers-Briggs types:

INTJ: 'Lord, keep me open to others' ideas, wrong though they may be.'

(Introversion Intuiting Thinking Judgment)


ENFP: ‘Lord, help me to keep my mind on one th – look, a bird! – ing at a time.’

(Extroversion Intuiting Feeling Perception)