Dangerous Worship Defined by Diaspora

Labberton draws close to concluding his move to awaken the Church to the realities of the dangers of true worship with chapter 8 calling the reader to recognize the effects of location on their adoration. He asks us to view our condition through the lens of two biblical designations of residence; exile or exodus. The dangerous worship we seek is brought to a keen edge when we live in one of these conditions rather than asserting our permanence in a country or culture that is earthbound. Disconnecting our idea of ‘home’ from our current abode frees our imagination to encompass God’s idea of justice. The worship effect that derives from this viewpoint comes from our view of the Promised Land; is it here (wherever ‘here’ is) or is it our permanent abiding home with the Lord?

We forget our dependence on God when we are not people of Exodus. In many ways we attempt to solve our own problems in the desert. We try to buy our way out of the desert or work our way out of the desert but every move we make on our own takes our eyes off of the cloud that moves ahead of us. We are barraged with messages every day that guide us to the earthbound Promised Land through sex or money or substances or stuff. Our imagination is dulled and we see no injustice around us.

Even less attractive is to worship God from a place of exile. Our eyes can easily become so focused on our own situation and seeking our own good that we fail to seek the well being of those around us. God once reminded His people in exile to seek the good of the city rather than putting so much energy into seeking an escape from where He had placed them. Spread justice as you unpack your boxes because you are going to stay awhile.

Where do you find yourself and your church?