cfp-clancy-do-something-now.cnn

by Ryan Bailey

As I sit here and listen to Christmas music boasting of glad tidings, wintery wonderlands, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire, I am once again faced with the question that seems to occur every year around this time. Just about the time we begin to decorate our house and get in the “Christmas spirit”, my mind always wanders to a day over 2000 years ago in a stable filled with animals and hay. I think about a young boy and girl, no more than 15 years old. I wonder how they may have felt: were they frightened, were their hearts full of anticipation, were they teaming with joy, or was the burden of bringing the savior into the world far too overwhelming for any sense of joy to be found? But most of all, how does this story connect to me?

This year though, another question enters my mind. As I read the all too familiar story of Christmas in the gospel of Luke, I seem to habitually stop on verse 38 of chapter 1. “’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38) The angel of the Lord had just given Mary the most overwhelming news: she would conceive a baby by the Holy Spirit. He would be the Son of God; the Savior of the world! And her reply is: “Ok, whatever you say.” I understand that without actually being there, we cannot understand her emotions, but emotions aside, her words are concrete. She accepts everything the angel tells her and boldly embraces God’s will for her life.

That is my connection point. I am in awe of this 14 year old girl, who with complete assurance of God’s will risks all she has and is to follow God. 2000 years ago, teenage, out of wedlock, pregnancy wasn’t glamorized.There weren’t TV shows making celebrities out of teenage moms. Quite the contrary, Mary’s “situation” wasn’t just frowned upon, in some cases it would constitute death at the worst and complete ostracization at best. But in the face of losing all she knew, Mary’s answer was still, “yes God.”

I wonder if I could answer the same. Could I have looked past fear, uncertainty, and just plain absurdity, and said, “yes.” I’m really not sure. I mean do I do that now? God is asking each of us to uninhibitedly follow his call. Just as Mary was the vessel God used to bring Heaven to earth 2000 years ago, now we are His vessel. He has chosen us and is asking each of us to be His hands and feet. Mary literally birthed the gospel, and now we must carry that gospel to the ends of the earth. Most of us are not looking into the stark reality of death or losing all we have for the gospel. Sure, we may face ridicule, maybe some persecution. Our pride may be hurt or we may lose friends. But what we face now, these light and momentary troubles, are nothing compared to the eternal glory we will one day see. (2 Corintians 4:16-17) So what is your answer? How will you let the Christmas story change your life this year? My prayer is that this year we could understand the gravity and depth of the words Mary spoke in answer the God’s call, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

[Ryan Bailey is a wife, mom to 2 boys, worship leader and songwriter. She is passionate about leading the church in authentic worship. Ryan is part of our FQ Team.]

by Ryan Bailey

Does anyone else find it difficult to maintain a balance in worship between excellence of sound/musicianship and only being concerned about God’s name being known and glorified? I find this balance similar to a teeter totter that I am trying ride all by myself. If I am too far on one side or the other, it just falls straight to the ground and I am stuck there in the dirt. But walking to the middle of the teeter totter and balancing my weight in just the right way is also scary. I mean what if I fall off, or what if I make one false move…I’m on my face I in the dirt again!

But see, the beauty of the teeter totter is in its design to be a shared experience, just like worship. Our leading of corporate worship is designed to be a shared experience, and our partner is the creator of the universe. A teeter totter really only works when you decide to give complete control to another person, and they in turn trust you to handle your side of the teeter totter. We have to be willing to give up control, and then God in turn entrusts us with the incredible privilege of leading His Church in worship.

It is our job to lead and play with excellence, to the best of our ability, with hearts fully set on making His name great.  Really, we are completely inadequate to execute the task He has put before us: leading people to engage and extol the God who hung the moon and stars and sets the earth in motion. But praise God that in our weakness He is strong (1 Cor 12:9-10). He fills in the gaps and makes our noise into beautiful worship of Himself. Besides, riding a teeter totter is much more fun when you aren’t alone!

[Ryan Bailey is a wife, mom to 2 boys, worship leader and songwriter. She is passionate about leading the church in authentic worship. Ryan is part of our FQ Team.]

by Jon Bauer

What will that moment be like when everything will change?  When Jesus will return in all His glory, and life as we know it will never be the same.  It’s a beautiful and scary thought at the same time, isn’t it?

What if that moment were to come this year?  next week?   or even today?  What if that date was scheduled in my calendar?  Would my priorities, my choices, my actions change?  Absolutely they would.

Sometimes I find myself getting into the routines of life without making a conscious effort to live out my worship. But I have found that whenever I make it a point each day to live in this reality of Jesus coming return, I start to look at my routines as divine appointments; to find ways to live out my worship unto God– even as simple as how I drive my car or help out a stranger in need.

We look to special events and milestones in our lives such as graduations, weddings, birthdays as big events – and they are.  But these events will pale in comparison to that instant when Jesus returns and we wait to hear if He will say those words to us “Well done good and faithful servant.”

With sin and temptations in this world, I know I need God’s help to save me from my sinful self each day.  Even though Jesus died on the cross for me once and for all, I still need His power to deliver me daily from sin that can so easily entangle me.

In light of what Jesus has done for us on the cross, what He is calling us to do as Christians, and what He will do in the coming days, my prayer today for you and me is simple.  “Father, today may we be empowered by your Spirit to live out our worship in light of your coming return.  Help us not waste a day or a moment where you are calling us to be your hands and feet and represent you to this world.   Help us see clearly the traps of the evil one that we would not fall into temptation but call out to you Jesus to come and save us – and in that moment may we overcome.  We pray this for your name and for your glory alone!  In Jesus name – Amen.”