A "Sure" Blessing!!

I had just arrived home, had the remote control in my hand, was about to turn on the TV for more nonsense (I am convinced TV replaced the old vaudeville/carnival freak show tent). Then came the text from Megan.

"We've had someone cancel. I know it's a long shot but can you come help me lead worship for Celebrate Recovery! "Sure", I text back.. "but that is like in 45 minutes so what songs?". Megan sings like a bird. We pick a few songs. My job will be to do the opener then play piano for Megan while she does her thing.

I had been to a few Celebrate Recovery meetings as a member of this praise team or that praise team through the years. CR is a Christ centered recovery program for anyone with hurts, habits, or hangups of any kind. I'm thinking... everyone fits in that category.

Tonight was different. It hit home. I looked around the room. I could feel these folks wanting to worship before we hit a single note. I am among living, breathing examples of the gospel of Christ. They have visited the pits of hell and made it out. They have felt the sting of abuse of every kind which leads to addictions of every kind. They have self medicated... like we all do in one way or another.

They talk about their healing, where they came from. They listen as a 50 something year old mother boldly makes it through a testimony that Hollywood could never imagine (so tragic it is to be continued next time). People are tuned in like a laser beam. They know her pain. They know her walk.

I often wonder if the level of hurt somehow equals the level of obedience. It feels like it does. We all hurt... we all have crap... but this is another level. They are fully aware of the hurt they have caused... the years in darkness they will never get back... the people they will never get back... the missed opportunities in life... the broken promises... Some of the pain self inflicted - some not! Sound familiar? It certainly drilled me right between the eyes and in the heart!

But here is the thing about CR... It feels like church ought to feel. They ARE the human experience. They are fighting against evil to make it home and off the front lines. That is all of us! They have found the courage to say "no more"!

It feels like worship should feel. They do not gather to compare horror stories or "one up" each other... they gather to continue healing... they gather to worship... to be with the Holy Spirit... and you can feel it. Isn't that what all churches should do?

They do not gather to play loud music and try to fool God or themselves. They do not gather to mimic their old life style and call it church. They gather because they love God and want to do life His way!

They do not gather to feel sorry for themselves or each other... they gather to celebrate the broken chains that no longer bind them. They celebrate victory in Jesus. Isn't that what all churches should do? They gather to celebrate life... healing... forgiveness... the end of slavery... slavery to sin. Isn't that what all churches should do? Oh and ALSO! As they quickly give out 1 month, 2 month... even up to 15 year "chips" - "We're Not Gonna Take It" plays in the background! Is that not perfect?!

We all love our churches... but now and then it's great to get a different perspective! If you want to be blessed... if you want to feel what church should be... if you want to feel what worship should be... if you want to see ashes turned to beauty... if you want to see shattered lives being glued back together one sliver at a time, one day at a time, one "chip" at a time... if you want to see courage... if you want to see people celebrate... if you want to look around the room and feel at home - as I did being a sinner trying to recover - you should visit a Celebrate Recovery service. Some of you will feel lead to return the following week, some will feel lead to donate time or money. It will move you.

This IS the Gospel. Recovery. The Rescue... the Life Line... The Hope.. The Strength... it is for all! To pull us out of our sin and see a way out... a way home. No politics, no theological "our church has it figured out" crap. Just experiencing the simple, powerful, never ending, never changing, healing love of Christ.

SO much better than anything I would have found on TV.