Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The point: God

Yesterday, I had my first organ lesson in almost ten years. (It only took three months between deciding to do this and actually getting around to it.)

One of the things we talked about was music appropriate for Christian churches vs. the Reform Jewish congregation I attend. And that some religions (Orthodox Judaism and Church of Christ, for example) forbid instrumental music in worship services. I shared with him the different religious traditions I was exposed to growing up: my mother has been the organist or choir director for Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches; my father goes to a Unitarian church; my grandmother was a member of the Church of Christ.

Thinking about this after the lesson, it really struck me that in none of those places was I going there with the intent of worshiping God. Over the past few years of attending services with my partner, somehow going to a religious service has actually started to feel religious. In a way that makes the rest of my memories of worship services seem like I was completely missing the point. I hadn't even realized there was a point to miss.

1 comment:

Tausign said...

This sounds like a revelation or a stirring of the soul; which is always God's initiation. Another way to say it is that God breaks through the 'barriers' - not us. (For this reason religious people should never fault others who are still seeking or quiet.)

This stirring is what is needed in order for God to be perceived. If we want this relationship - we respond.