It is noteworthy related to my paradigm of
extravagance that I consider extravagant devotion to Jesus “showing up” and “not
quitting”. Opening up one’s mouth to sing or pray most of the time counts, too,
I would think. In other words, one cannot measure extravagance by outward
appearance. This is how man judges, and God made clear to Samuel the prophet
that the inward reality, or the heart of a man, is the far better measuring rod
in the manner that we define extravagance.
Thus I am rarely moved by the outward,
momentary burst of devotion unless it comes in context to the life of one who
has a long history of perseverance and consistency in devotion to Jesus. The one
who shouts and dances in the front for a few prayer meetings is neat, but I tend
to watch for consistency. In other words, if “that guy” is still dancing ten
years later with a heart filled with true joy, (meaning, “that guy” is truly
joyful in other contexts of ministry and relationship) then I will be
impressed.
This is a critical paradigm for me because of the manner in
which some in the modern Charismatic stream today consider boisterous
demonstrations of worship and praise the mark of a healthy meeting. If the
congregation is subdued, some are troubled. Where is the noise, the activity,
and the shouting? While I appreciate those things, and by no means have a heart
to shut any of those expressions out of the worship mix (in fact, dancing,
shouting, and clapping were accepted and encouraged parts of the Old Testament
worship service), I can’t use those measures to gauge the “success” or
effectiveness of a meeting. I have a heart to produce something different in
someone’s life than outward exuberance.
Pray and do not lose heart
Luke 18:1, in my thinking, establishes the
context for a life of faith: “men ought to pray always and not lose heart”. I
define “always” in the same manner as Paul the Apostle: “without ceasing” (1
Thess. 5:17). As E.M. Bounds once said, the man who prays stops sinning while
the man who sins stops praying. Thus my goal is to walk in continual fellowship
and communion with Christ by walking in the Spirit - if I do so Paul assures me
that I will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. So many of the apostolic prayers
of the New Testament are prayers for perseverance, endurance, and strength or
grace from God for the journey we are on. The pursuit of righteousness fully
expressed in my life demands an extravagant pursuit of God in the place of
prayer and worship.
Thus extravagance in worship can be defined in a
manner that transcends personality. The introvert and the extrovert, the
right-brained and the left-brained, the creative and the logical can all enter
in with equal footing into a pursuit of holiness and wholeheartedness that flows
from the grace and power of God and not our will or personal exuberance. The
definition shifts from hand-clapping, flag waving, shouting and tears to
consistency, faith, hope, and love flowing from the deepest parts in a manner
that translates into long-term obedience to the commands of God. Obedience is
extravagant.
All are called to the place of extravagant pursuit of Jesus,
in prayer, worship, and lifestyle. For this season of church history, there is
no mandate that we do so in the same room.
