Not my Cup of Tea

We live in a society that caters to our opinions and preferences. The power of the individual can change corporations decisions and policies. The squeaking wheel really does get the grease. Companies are constantly polling and surveying their customers and non-customers on their opinions, buying trends, and product usage. In politics, it is often the lobbyists who drive Congress. I think the old Burger King slogan sums it up well, "Have It Your Way!"

Because we are selfish individuals, we like it to be our way. We like the idea that our opinion and preference makes a difference. We like it that we get to choose.

If we're not careful, people in the church have this same attitude. This attitude can really manifest itself in worship styles. Many people think that the worship style should match my preferences. And, if it doesn't, I'll just leave and find a church where it does.

Last weekend, our church had a Kids Winter Weekend with a Fun Fair on Saturday, and a Puppet Ministry on Saturday and twice on Sunday, including the Sunday Morning Worship Service. The weekend was advertised a couple of months in advance. There should have been no surprise what the Morning Worship Service was going to be -- it had been well advertised that it was going to be geared toward kids and that God's Helping Hands (the puppet ministry) was going to minister.

One of the hats that my husband wears at church is the Head Usher. He is always in the back of the Worship Service or roaming the church in his duties during the Morning Worship Service. After the service last week, he told me that several people had left the service early, complaining that this was not an appropriate service for a Morning Worship Service. According to them, there was no message. It was just entertainment.

Wait a second, I protested. Did they not pay attention to the advertising? Did they not listen to what the puppets were saying and singing? The message was a salvation message geared toward children. They were sharing Psalm 23 and Jesus as the Good Shepherd who died for the flock.

I was flabbergasted that people would be so selfish that they would leave a service early because it didn't meet their preference style of a Worship Service. The puppets weren't trying to meet your preferred style. They were trying to meet the kids' preferences. Yes, the same kids who sit/endure through the Morning Worship Service that is geared toward adults 50 out of 52 Sundays a year! You can't support a Sunday Worship Service that is geared toward them?

Missionary Sundays are often met with disdain. I recently heard a member of our congregation say that the missionary who is sharing with us tomorrow (3/4/12) is one of her favorites of the missionaries which the church supports. Another church member responded that she doesn't have any favorites. In essence she said that she can barely stand any of them coming to share their ministry.

What? You don't want to know how God is using their ministry? You don't want to know if the money that you are giving is being used effectively? You aren't encouraged by their testimony of God's blessings in their ministry?

Granted, I wouldn't every Worship Service to be kid-focused or missionary-focused. And I do enjoy the "normal" adult-focused Worship Service, but what's wrong with having it all?

There is a wise man (in our congregation) who says regarding particular worship styles that are not his preferred style, "It may not be my cup of tea, but it is someone else's. So, I'm glad that they get to taste their favorite cup of tea." WOW!!! That should be all of our attitudes!

After all, isn't that what Philippians 2:1-11 all about? This passage is one of my all-time favorites (speaking of preferences), especially verse 3-5: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

If only we could get this right. If only I could get this right!!! I'm struggling right now to be sharing my home again with my husband. During basketball season (Nov - Feb) each year, he is gone during the main "at home" hours, officiating up to six times a week.

When I'm not at work, I basically get to choose what I want to do and when I want to do it without having to consider his opinion or preference. If I want to delay eating supper, I can. If I want to run errands right after work, I can. I control the remote! I control what's for supper! I decide which room I'm going to be in...which TV I want to watch....what time I want to go to bed. I'm in charge, and there is no one else to consider. I get very used to living virtually by myself.

You might have notice that it's now March. Basketball season is winding down....he only officiated a couple of games last week. And he's been home all weekend. I have to learn to share my home again. He has preferences and opinions. We have to get along. Things have to change in my world. I am not in control anymore. I have to share/give up the remote. I have to consider and yield to his preferences. We have to be a couple again.

It's hard for me each year to adjust to living with my husband again. This year is no exception. Lord, help me to remember Philippians 2. And help me to remember that it's okay if it's not my cup of tea.

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