DISAPPEARING INTO JESUS

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (John 12:21)

Worship is not about us at all. As a matter of fact, when we sing or lead worship, or sing in the choir, it is our job to disappear. Sometimes we have just a few minutes to do that. But in that time allotted we must be so transparent that people can encounter Jesus without any obstruction or distraction.  I would much rather people leave a service saying “I felt God while they were singing,” than “What talent they have,” or “What great a great song.” Don’t be an Absalom that stands at the gate and steals the glory of the King before people can approach Him. Obviously we should do our best, but our priorities seep through our music and our worship. In John 3:6 Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Is there too much flesh in your worship? We must have both prayer and practice. Then we can be familiar enough with the song to disappear.

I learned a profound lesson on our trip to Sydney, Australia this past April. My son Ryan and I were privileged to be able to climb
the Sydney Harbor Bridge. We anxiously anticipated the event, knowing the view of the Opera House and the rest of the Harbor would be breathtaking from 440 feet. The whole process took almost four hours with the first hour devoted to training. During the training
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the guide pointed to a rack full of ugly gray coveralls, and told us we would all be wearing these identical outfits for the climb. Someone raised their hand and protested. “I’ve come all this way and I want to look my best for my picture at the top of the bridge. I want to wear my own nice jacket for the photo,” she said.

The response of the guide was something I haven’t forgotten. With conviction he said, “When we obtained the license for this Bridge Climb we had to meet many, many requirements. The greatest concern of the City of Sydney was this: They did not
	want people to look up at the beautiful Harbor Bridge and see you. All the people want to see is the bridge. So you must blend in and become unnoticeable. If you wear your orange jacket up there you will only take away from the timeless beauty of this landmark.”
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So it is when we worship. Let us blend into the mighty Bridge. Let us disappear into Jesus. That is the beautiful, timeless One that people came to see.

-Tom Trimble