Siestas!
Howdy from Hot-lanta, and when I say “Hotlanta”, I hope you are not sensing any trendy connotation, because I am simply alluding to the miserably hot weather we have had around here as of late. Wow. I didn’t think that a city could get hotter than Houston, but Atlanta is a tough competitor right now. Since newlyweds don’t have a bunch of extra money to spend on cranking up the air conditioning, I have been sleeping with my hair wet to keep me cooler at night! It almost works, y’all!
So, yesterday I got to experience something that I am sure I will not soon forget. Colin and I headed out to go and listen to a good friend of ours preach at the youth service at his church. He is the youth pastor there and since they have a sizable youth group, they have a completely separate worship service. They even have their own building. We walked in and saw a familiar sight- a dark room with bright lights and kids jumping up and down. They actually had formed a mosh pit of sorts in front of the worship band, which was itself composed of students in the youth group.
It was amazing what happened as I made my way to my seat. I began to shut down. Even though it was only seven or eight years ago that I would have easily found myself in their exact positions, I quickly became one of the dreaded frozen chosen. What a bizarre and devastating feeling. All of the sudden I was a spectator in this youth service rather than being a participant. I even began to critique all that I was surrounded by, surveying our younger generation’s heartbeat for Christ to discern whether it was authentic or not. I suppose the older we get, the more power we think we have to take our place in the judgment seat…I had to remind myself that I will never be old enough for that position, for that throne is reserved for none other than the Ancient of Days. In my shame, I thought to myself, “So this is how this happens…this is how one becomes one of the frozen and cynical chosen…and I’m only 25, I’m so doomed.”
Well, I am so glad that I went yesterday to this youth service because I left with conviction, encouragement, and exhortation. After my friend preached a solid sermon out of the book of Esther no less, he exhorted the students to seize the moment to pursue the purpose God had for each of them in such a time as this. He then asked several of the students to make their way to the front to give their testimonies about what God had been doing in their lives.
And then it happened…I was awestruck. A girl, clearly unacquainted with southern church jargon began to describe her recent experience with Jesus Christ. She described herself as feeling completely ecstatic, almost bubbling over with life. She was so overjoyed that she couldn’t even put it into words. She said, “I think about Him (Jesus Christ) all of the time…every second, I just can’t stop thinking about Him. And I am just so tired of being a person that I don’t want to be!”
There it was: trans-generational truth. You see, she was still trying to emotionally recover from the almost too phenomenal realization that Jesus Christ can really change the jacked up person she knows she is in her heart. And I pray that she never does recover from this divine reality. Too many of us do.
Worship styles and preferences change pretty quickly but our need remains the same. Our need for God and the hope that He instills in our hearts, it translates to every generation. I am so glad that students around the world are worshipping God, meeting together and exhorting one another and praising God together in their own contexts. I am so glad that they continue to follow hard after God in spite of frozen chosen adults like me who stand in the crowd with their arms folded, because I think they are doing exactly what Paul exhorted Timothy to do. They aren’t letting people like me look down on them because of their youthfulness, but rather in their speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, they are showing themselves to be examples (1 Tim. 4.12). I am even more thankful that these students have leaders like my friend Jamie who gives his life to point students upward to acknowledge the supremacy of Christ.
Praise God for a younger generation of students who are showing themselves to be worthy examples to some of us who allow our hearts to get a little bit too hard. I am so privileged to be associated with them in Christ. I, too, like my young new sister in Christ am so tired of being someone I don’t want to be. I am so glad that we know that the solution is in Christ. It is for this that she and I will continue to labor and strive, because we both have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men” (1 Tim. 4.10). Well, perhaps I’ll even join the mosh pit with her next time. Okay, so maybe I won’t bodily join the mosh pit, but I will be there in spirit!
Cheers to the only Wise God, the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us hope, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us!
Way to go Melissa – you spoke volumes to all of us who become so caught up in being “spiritual” that we don’t see the beauty in coming to God as a child. Excellent words, you are your mother’s daughter!
God is so good. All day long I have been thinking about how much I want to change. I am also “tired of being a person I don’t want to be.” I know that I can only be changed through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. But sometimes it seems to be such a long process! Earlier I reminded myself that I will never be perfect — there is only One – Amen? So I need to “press on towards the goal.”
very wise!
Speak a word siesta!!! What an incredible testimony to the timelessness of our Lord! So glad His worship doesn’t depend on our preferences!! Thank you so much for this!
Val
NC
Dearest Melissa,
You are so far ahead of of me and I am 51 years old! My younger 19 year old daughter reminds me just about every day to “step out of my box”! It is so wonderful how God reminds us that He just wants to be praised – in different ways! But isn’t absolutely wonderful to know we have His forgiveness when we sit “frozen” in judgment of how others worship Him.
Thank you for being YOU! You are precious.
For 4 1/2 years I have attended a church much different than the one I grew up in (old church – very formal, almost archaic). It has been healing on so many levels, but I, too, find myself getting ready to sit in judgement on some things. I have to sit back, take a breath and think, “Does it really matter? Am I upset because of a preference or actual doctrine?” I always fall in the former category. But I am getting much better.
Oh how I, too, long to be fluid and not frozen!!
Hey Melissa!
Such a thought-provoking post:) I am with you, I’m not so sure I’d join the mosh pit, but I would cheer them on as long as no one got hurt! This is soo funny because it reminds me of when I was in youth-complete with “Jesus Freak” renditions and lights, you know, the whole thing! But, sometimes, our youth director would just play guitar and sing-I really enjoyed those times too. I’ve simmered down some since then, but occasionally when I get around my younger sister, I surprise myself at my “childishness”-extra: my sister who is 12 loves to sing “Jesus Freak” while she’s listening to her i-pod, I have to smile at her, O the mentality!
Wouldn’t you know they would speak on Esther! That is a Godstop and a half! “There it was: trans-generational truth. You see, she was still trying to emotionally recover from the almost too phenomenal realization that Jesus Christ can really change the jacked up person she knows she is in her heart.” Wow, Melissa, right on:)
“Cheers to the only Wise God, the Lord Jesus Christ who gives us hope, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us!” Yeah! Melissa, you are so right! ((HUGS))to you:)
P.S. It’s blazing here in K-town too, the heat wouldn’t be that bad, it’s the humidity, you walk outside and you sweat-walking to the car! Forget big hair, TN girls can’t find enough hair spray to fix what happens when humidity takes over:) Sorry for the long post-I’ll do better next time:)
Blessings to you:)
katiegfromtennessee
Well said!
On a funny note, I asked my daughter (just turned 17) what a mosh pit was. She giggled at me and then explained (with a bemused expression on her face) that a mosh pit was the area in front of a stage (the pit) at a concert etc. where people dance wildly, flail their arms, jump up and down, yell and scream, sing etc.
When I asked her why she was giggling she said, “Those are words you just never expect to hear come out of your mom’s mouth”. 🙂
Melissa, thanks for that post, I just moved here (Hotlanta) form Southern California. I came from one of those crazy next generation kind of churches. It was fabulous! We moved here for a job position and because God was clear it was the thing to do. But I sit in this mega church and do the same thing you did but opposite. I judge the people in there wondering why they are not jumping up and down. Don’t they know the one they sing to… HE is the creator of the earth. The one who makes it spin and float. THanks for the honesty. I love it. whittakerwoman
I so admire your love and passion for Christ Melissa! As a young girl my self i hope i can mature into the passion for HIM that you have! your post speaks right to my heart girly! I love you and hope you and your man are well and God Bless!
Melissa,
We have been talking about this very thing in our Sunday school class recently. Our worship leader is in my class and he keeps asking the question why people in America seem to be so reserved in worship. I love that you recognized it happening in yourself. What makes us the frozen chosen and how do we bust out of that ice?
Blessings
Michelle
WOW WOW WOW!!!
That was just awesome Melissa…I’m blown away by what you described. You have encouraged me and inspired me and made me realize that I do not want to be the one with the arms crossed shaking my head at “them.”
Keep on being kids crazy for Christ!
And, its hotter than hot in West TN too.
Hugs and blessings,
Fran
HEAVENS! How I can relate! We worship at a very loving but seriously ‘un-contemporary’ church. I find myself sizing up not the youth, but the elders at the church who are hymmin’ and hawin’ at us Gen X’ers.
The Ancient of Days brought a moment yesterday during our worship service that almost brought me to tears. A quite QUITE senior man was singing in the pew behind me ‘The Wonderful Cross’ and I kept thinking that his voice sounded so warm. So….everthing I want in an earthly grandfather. Anyway, our music director said, “We thought today would be a good day to learn a new song.” And that wonderful man whispered behind me,”These are all new to me.”
This man, worships with us every Sunday and loves the hymns (and the organ….wheez…). He feels like it is all changing so quickly and he’s one I’d have called “Frozen Chosen.” Sizing up the new. And there I sit, sizing up the old.
Thank you, Melissa. I needed the reminder. Christ is the one who makes all things new.
Girl I say get undignified and head to the mosh pit! LOL! This is such a true word! Thanks Melissa!! It is hot hot hot in Alabama. We skipped most of spring and headed straight for the 90’s.
Melissa,
Life is so exciting when you have a teachable spirit! P.S. If you stop overnighting food to your loved ones-you could sleep with dry hair! I like your priorities-Love, Angela H
You’re a WISE young lady and I know your Mom’s proud of you. Melissa, you have spoken to quite a few of us “50-somethings” in this post and I, for one, thank you for putting this in perspective! I really don’t want to be one of the “frozen chosen”!
As Amanda in SC said, “We need to do more joining together and less judging others!” I try to remember that we’re not to judge a book by it’s cover! (an old Mom saying!)
This blog is full of “Barnabas-like” women-so many encouragers! Thank you all.
Blessings!
wow…have you ever read something that you didn’t even know you struggled with until you read it? ha. well that was me when i just read this blog. you hit the nail on the head, sister. you’re great, keep doing what you’re doing!
-chelsea burleson
Melissa, thank you for being so honest with us.
I got zinged on that same front not too long ago, and the Lord brought to mind Rom 14:4 — this is a paraphrase:
Who are you to judge Somebody Else’s servant? To her own Master she will stand or fall…and stand she will, for the Lord is able to make her stand.
Briefly, it’s His job, not mine, even “constructive criticism”.
But He doesn’t stop with analysis, He strenghtns and repairs. That’s the part I’m most glad about when I am standing in the servant’s shoes instead of in the judge’s.
Let ’em gripe about me; He’ll fix me till I’m all better and standing tall.
Thanks for your openness and your top-notch way of sharing and your commitment to Him.
That, my siesta, is a fresh word for us all! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings, Lori
Great post Melissa. It made me think of an event from our service yesterday. We baptized a young college student and the kids at the back of the auditorium were standing and cheering loudly. My husband was doing announcements right after and made the comment that it was the first standing ovation he had ever seen for a baptism. It was awesome! There were only a few frowns for the “undignified” response, but God was being praised and that’s what counts.
Your post made me remember the good old days of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) conferences and funny, quirky songs! I love it! I miss it!
God is so much bigger than I give him credit for so often as I sit and ponder everyone else’s motives- all the while steeping in my own negative brew! It can be so easy to get trapped into worrying what other’s think because we know how messed up we think! I am so thankful that my Savior lives in me, there is hope!
gosh, Melissa… my ole gab is seldom left agape (and I mean this in the adjective, not the noun, form), but you’ve left me speechless here. what a sound word.
mc
Melissa: Yes – we’ve had record heat here in Georgia, and yesterday it hit 100 here in the middle of the state.
Speaking of heat, your blog post had some heat too – my dear!
I was immediately reminded of my heart’s judging attitude at church last month when a young woman got up from her seat and come to the altar during the choir special. (This was not in the bulletin, mind you.)
We were singing a GREAT song, “God is here, to heal the hopeless heart and bless the broken, oh come lay down the burdens you have carried, for God is here.” Well – she took it literally and came to the altar.
At first, I thought, “what in the world is she doing?” Then – the Spirit fell and the Pastor didn’t preach and folks were all over the place praying and making things right with each other, we had about 35 people get saved – including a couple of deacons, and it was GLORIOUS! No one left the service, it was awesome and the Prince of Peace was reigning supreme.
And in a Baptist Church!
Praise Be to Jesus!
Stay cool girl,
GEORGIA JAN
PS: Yes – the wet head in the bed works… 🙂
May we all keep our childlike hearts open to foolish and undignified enthusiasm and love for HIM!!!!! You’re the best. Shalom
reminded me of a situation… a couple months ago I was driving down the road… I stopped at a light… in front of me a golden chevy truck with Praise the Lord in a “mexican style font”, to the right of that truck was a silver SUV that had an black and white biker style decal that said Jesus freak! and when the light changed and the car next to me pulled up i realized the mini van to the right of me was sporting the Jesus fish,and there I am no decals no silver Jesus fish no loud expression except KSBJ on the radio… it was refreshing to know we are not alone. We are all different in how we praise him but his name shall be praised!! even if we have nothing in common except for the outpuring of love for our Jesus
Good words Melissa and good reminder for those of use who are WAY over 25 . . .
I love this post! I do sometimes wish my church would “wake up” on Sundays. My children however, keep me current, and humble. I love watching their enthusiasm for the Lord and we share a similar love in worship styles. Im often amazed at these young christians who dont seem to have the same hangups and issues we 50 somethings have had. My kids have no fear of sharing their testimony or singing solos in church even when they have never sung a solo before in their life. My son did this recently and when I asked him if he was nervous he replyed…why should I be nervous? The only one I care to please with this song is the Lord, and He loves me. Ok, so what do you say to that? He didnt even practice. He sang Beautiful Lord by Leeland. As he sang my husband leaned over to me and asked..is that our Hunter? We were so touched by his sweet spirit. He was definitly singing to His Savior.
Amen, sister!!
This is totally off the subject, but I was curious if you will be attending the Deeper Still event in Atlanta Melissa? I will be there along with four of my best buddies. We are so looking forward to it. We attended the one in Nashville and were blown away by the Spirit of God that changed our lives..He is so life changing and I can’t wait to hear the word God has placed on the hearts of His three anointed.. I’m praying for a mighty outpour of His Spirit, and that the liberty bell rings louder than ever before…With much anticipation, Tina B.
the sandbox said…
amen!
lovin life in Him-lisa
cold,rain & wind at the beach.
The weather is one of the reasons Atlanta is called “Hotlanta”. Even here up north in Rome, Ga we reached the high temp of 103. Is it really just June? God doesn’t care what type of worship we do – what we wear to service (jeans or dresses) – whether we sing hymns with a choir or guitar – HE only cares that we worship HIM and HIM only!!! You are still young enough to jump in the mash pit – I, on the other hand, at 43, could do serious damage to my neck, back, etc… At my age, just rolling over in bed can be dangerous!! Thank goodness loving Christ doesn’t have a requirement!
Melissa,
Thanks for your wise words. I love watching younger and older and people in my own peer group (that would be 42) love on Jesus. It so builds one’s faith and love, too. I’m sure heaven will have a mosh pit – but, if I’m reading Revelations correctly we’re going to have to squirm our way up front cause it’s already inhabited by 24 elders. Oh, I can’t wait….
Until then, loving each of you in Siestaville and praying we each have days of being knocked silly over how good Jesus is,
Warm in Alaska.
Oh yeah, Rome isn’t far from Atlanta so if you want to send some food up here…. there are several Siestas here!!
Hey Melissa,
God shared a transitional truth with me yesterday as well. I was re-reading a book I read years ago. The book is the life and testament of Jim Elliot entitled, Shadow of the Almighty.
Elizabeth Elliott writes in the preface: “Those who want to know Him must walk the same path with Him. These are the “martyrs” in the Scriptural sense of the word, which means simply “witnesses” –to bear the stamp of Christ.”
An excerpt from Jim’s journal reads, “Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork, that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me.”
What a hero of the faith. If you have not read this or it has been a while the book is definitely worth your time.
Melissa, thank you for reminding me how easy it is to become one of the frozen and cynical who stand in judgement of others.
May each of us bear the stamp of Christ in our daily walk.
Hugs,
Mary
Melissa, I want to thank you for pointing out that wonderful Selah hymn “Before The Throne Of God On High.” I have enjoyed it and a fresh look at my Great High Priest. I went out to find that CD and found instead a collection with four of their CDs.It’s called “Timeless: The Selah Collection.” After wearing the daylights out of your favorite song, I listened to the other discs. I found on disc 2 (titled “Press On”) another very powerful hymn called “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” If you haven’t already discovered this very fine hymn, I encourage you to do so. I love the way good lyrics and a special melody can lift me right into The Holies of Holies!
JoAnn Dorrepaal, Norfolk, VA
i so needed this right now! thank you for posting and sharing!!
Why not join the mosh pit physically while you still can. I was tiny so I would have killed myself. I was jumping up and down with the crowd at 25 at Creation Fest. I was pregnant and probably shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help myself. Anyway, I love your heart and your openness. Don’t ever forget that it is good to just have fun sometimes. Don’t ever take yourself so seriously that you can’t have fun.
Great perspective
I totally agree that as we get older we tend to look down our noses at the younger generation but honestly the more I am around them the more I realize they LOVE JESUS!!
They are so much more real and willing to give their all to God
I am inspired by them !!!
BTW: I am just a few hours south of Atlanta and it is SO HOT HERE
My oldest said to me the other day “mommy it is so HOT I can not breathe!”
Yes honey and it is only JUNE!!
God bless
Kim
Melissa,
Thanks for this encouraging post. I too worry about generations to come and the world we are leaving for our children. How encouraging to know God is raising up an entire new generation to follow HIM. I too have found myself in the seat of the scoffer, one I do not want to be in. Thanks for your transparency and honesty. Just be careful, or you may end up getting crushed in the mosh pit yourself. Just kidding.
wendy
Melissa,
What a great post! I’m definitely convicted of being a frozen chosen. Wow – I never really saw that sneaking up on me, but it has in a big way. Thanks for drawing my attention to it.
Oh Melissa – Thank you for this post…i’m 47 and i still am tired of being that person….i’m easily discouraged and sometimes think God should just give up on me…and then, i MARVEL at the sweetness – at the amazing, miraculous and marvelous thought that the God of Heaven would take the time to woo this woman back to Himself, time and time again, because of His Great Love for ~me~. It drives me to my knees everytime! Thank you for saying these things about our young people – I worked in our high school youth group at church for 6 years and I know exactly what you are saying about sitting in that judgement seat….I’m so thankful the Lord taught me to love them…love them…love them.
Your words are so needed as a reminder to us all to stay out of that seat…our human nature sure wants to crawl up in it from time to time though doesn’t it??
By the way…welcome to the southeast honey!
Melissa you did not state whether or not the service was the morning service or evening service so I’m going to assume morning. Please forgive me if I have that wrong. I did very much enjoy your post!
I guess I’m a little different than everyone else that posted here. Humm…maybe at 38 I’m…I don’t know. I don’t even know if I should post what’s going on in my heart because people may get upset. First…I don’t care how big a service gets I believe my kids should attend worship with us. As a family. Second…worship God acceptably with reverance and awe. Maybe that’s what a mosh pit does. I don’t know. I know that God certainly did a great change in my life. With no mosh pit…or an organ for that matter.
I am really going to get critized for this…and be told I’m old fashioned…that I don’t like change etc. etc. etc. but I’m just going to state this for my family and my family only: There is a time and place for “mosh pit” and a time and place for reverance and awe. For our family a mosh pit on Sunday morning is not reverance and awe. Now any other time…go for it. We are active with our 3 teenagers…we are youth leaders…we love them…love God’s Word…and want them to grow in Him. It really makes me sad that people think because we don’t do all the mosh pit stuff on Sunday morning that we aren’t relevant. That we are relics.
My teens youth pastor…who loves this kind of stuff…is trying to teach the youth to live moment by moment in Christ, abiding in Him. Yet he struggles because the youth want “fun and energetic” all the time. If it’s not…then they go to the bigger church down the road that has the big band…and does lots of fun stuff! Is that relevant? We feel we have to be entertained to worship the One True God? When did this become so much about how we want to worship and than how God wants us to worship Him?
Worship is bowing the heart…individually first. Then corporately. Is this how we teach them? I thank God this youth pastor, Jamie, taught TRUTH. I thank God this young woman LOVES Jesus! But when all this is stripped away…music, fun, energy…etc….can we still sing…can we still worship with reverance and awe? Is this teaching our youth to do that?
This is something I guess we will not agree on. But when we do disagree do we have to be labeled judgmental, critical and the such? I think having fun together…is wonderful. I think Jesus loves it when we do. I have no problems with mosh pits. I guess I just wonder is that ALL they are exposed to?
Please feel free not to post this…or to delete.
I do thank God for this ministry. I hope I have not hurt anyone’s feelings. Last year…through the great grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ…a friend gave me a book titled “Get out of that Pit”…and He delivered me from my pit. I don’t think I had ever been out. I am grateful to God with how He has used you and how you have allowed Him to use you. I didn’t even know I was in that awful pit until I read that book. And let me tell you…I am out..FOREVER! Praise my beloved LORD God!
They look different and they act different, but there are authentic lovers of Jesus amidst their generation. I love and appreciate their enthusiasm, but their authenticity is what draws me to them…they do not want anything fake. It is a beautiful thing!
I didn’t come to Christ until the age of 28. I sometimes look at youth “in the mosh pit” and can’t relate. However, I also wish so much that I knew Him at that young age – it is a little sad to me that I “missed the mosh”. Now I have 3 children – the oldest is 12. And I must say – I would love to see Him in a “mosh” praising his Savior!
We are ALL guilty of trying to sit in that judgement seat.
I am so glad you shared this post, it is a great reminder for us all
Amen!!!
The older I get the more cynical I get and judegmental too. Why is it that we Christians who have been forgiven for so much tend to judge others so well and so often? UGH!
Next time I totally think you should jump in that mosh pit!
Oh, sweet Friend, I’m grateful for your word tonight. We’ll start our summer studies tomorrow and I’m helping to facilitate Wising Up (6/12 sessions) I am reminded that He *hates* pride of any kind. My prayer is that I’ll just be a vessel for His word to break into these women’s lives – that no “freezing” will ever happen in my own life. But that I will always follow hard after Him, no matter what the cost. I am so delighted for the next generation to fall in love with Him. Let’s all stand aside and let Jesus do His “thang!” love you!
I am reading “Do Hard Things” by Alex and Brett Harris before I pass it on to my 15 year old. It will challenge your expectations of young people and yourself!
Praying for the “frozen chosen” to have a softened heart that melts with His Grace. Thanks for a great Word!
Love,
Angie in hot-Michigan! 🙂
Ahh!! you have presented a great picture of modern tools to present ancient truths.
Thanks for sharing.
KS