I'm growing in my love for God intellectually but it was in the charismatic renewal that I first fell in love with God on an emotional level. I wanted to express myself in charismatic worship again--bring in more heart to enrich reason.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." - Romans 8:26
The charismatic renewal has brought this verse to life--when I use the gift of tongues that the Spirit has given, then I experience the truth of Romans 8:26. The Spirit intercedes on my behalf "with sighs to deep for words."
So when the opportunity of open service presented itself (i.e., study the songs on your own, no practice required), I plucked up the courage to serve in the choir despite my long absence. Thus, for the last two Sundays, I have been blessed to worship as a music minister.
However, even before coming to the service, I was troubled by a song's lyrics in the line up we were studying. It was an original composition and the lyrics spoke about being empowered by God. Most of it was okay but the catchy chorus had me thinking twice:
I am invincible, unstoppable
Untouchable, I'm powerful
Coz you are God
You're alive in me
Jesus Christ strengthen me
Holy Spirit empower me
You are God
You're alive in me
I'm invincible
It seems like a good message but I was thinking... even if you abide in God and God abides in you, that does not make us human beings invincible. If for some strange reason a sniper chose to shoot a music minister through the heart while the latter was singing this song, barring a miracle, the natural laws would allow that person to be injured at the very least, maybe even die.
Honestly, I find it difficult to sing this song with conviction. In my heart, what I know to be true is that I am limited but in my weakness, God's strength is made manifest. St. Paul writes:
"but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.' So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
Singing that "I am invincible" does not seem like boasting of my weakness. Am I boasting of God's power? I hope so. But I prefer to sing it directly... You are invincible, you are unstoppable, you are untouchable, you are powerful. Ikaw na, Lord!
*****
My new age sense is tingling...
I am allergic to anything new age much like a reformed alcoholic might shun the smell of alcohol.
So again, at the PICC Feast, I was troubled by portions of the talk that seemed to have a touch of new age thinking.
Basically the message was everything will be alright because God is with us. But what had me praying that people were not being misled was when Bro. Bo Sanchez led us into prayer by asking people to imagine that our spirit was leaving our body and going up to God so we could have the right perspective--which included seeing the future God has planned for you. It just seemed to me like an opening for astral projection, with the addition of trying to divine the future through the disguise of prayer.
I enjoy being at the Feast because it gives me a dose of positivity but no community is perfect. I just hope no one is being misled down the new age path of trying to be God, having their will be done, visualizing their goals and dreams, and gung-ho about accomplishing it all without ever asking: what does God want?
Lord, you know all things. I may not understand what is really going on in my leaders' minds and hearts but I surrender them into your loving hands. I hope they are still following you faithfully and not being misled by the desire to have so many members. Purge any false prophets from our midst who preach only what people want to hear, and neglecting to speak what you wish to be said. Put your words in the mouths of our leaders, Lord, even the painful truth so that we may truly follow you even when it is difficult. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
[Blog duplicated here.]
[Blog duplicated here.]
