Awakening in Worship

Awakening in Worship By: Marjorie Laird

I want to share my spiritual awakening with you. It’s not the familiar story of a challenging childhood or a reckless past with a dramatic conversion experience. In fact, it was the exact opposite. From infancy, I was in Sunday School and church every week (except when sick) until I left for college. From college forward, I attended and served in a number of churches depending on where I was living. Being a person of faith, it was part of my weekly schedule to attend worship, serve in many ways, speak to congregations and teach classes.

Although there were years of music, sermons, and Christmas pageants in my church life, I began to see heaven shining a tad brighter several years ago when I was invited to speak about The Second Wind Fund during weekend worship services at Abiding Hope. The blessing of visiting congregations and sharing the mission of helping our youth was something I spoke about often. It went well and, as always, I was glad to have been invited. However, there was something unique about these services.Whatever it was that got my innermost attention (perhaps the Holy Spirit) continued to nudge me, and I proceeded to attend Saturday night service weekly until making the decision to become part of the Abiding Hope family. I was delighted that my husband, Bob, was also drawn to this family of faith and together we gladly became immersed in the many opportunities to love and be loved.

Several years have passed, and in looking back I can see God’s gradual revitalization in my spirit that has positively affected the everyday/every breath of ME. It’s easy now to trace when and what made the difference. One word summarizes it all: WORSHIP. The worship services had and continue to have themes, directions, encouragement, understanding, acceptance, and assurance that love and life win. It was never one aspect of worship: the building, the music, the sermon. The worship experience combined a plethora of art, music, film, dance, contemplation, and the sharing of God’s Word that focused on the amazing reality of living as a child of God and knowing that God is love.

A significant and meaningful change occurred that felt like a magic carpet ride from loneliness to a warm, all accepting and loving family. One could laugh or cry, share challenges or victories while being comforted or cheered. Encouraged by all to be authentic and give generously of not only our money, but also our gifts and abilities, I find myself now leading and serving in worship often. Through these opportunities to serve, while just being who I am and using the gifts God designed in me, I learned the true meaning of sacrificial service.

A major shift happened as if a mystical hand was leading me to a different focus on living, giving, and serving. It is summed up on Abiding Hope’s statement on Radical Generosity: We are called to give more time, love, forgiveness and resources to others. We will challenge you to live more generously in every aspect of your life. I didn’t change my faith or my beliefs. My vision, however, is amazingly different. I am a child of God. I don’t go and perform a missional task; but rather I reach out and walk with others…love them…form relationships. We will link hearts and hands together as we face life’s challenges. As a child of God, I will love because God is love. I know that I can invite anyone to worship and they will be welcomed home. There is never a mask needed because I am confident that myself and others are completely accepted. I don’t leave church feeling guilty for what I might forget to do, but I walk away centered on representing God wherever I am.

“I usually shed a deep and grateful tear at communion. I have come to realize the feeling behind it is a gratitude for the meaning of communion and the joy that this church family invites ALL to the table because the gifts of God are FREE. As a child of God, I desire to be present in each moment and that allows me to see God working in so many ways. I no longer beg for God to work, but I look forward to seeing God’s presence every day and expecting an opportunity to truly be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus.”