top of page
Laurence Minter

Praise Breaks: On Lyrics & Lessons

There is of course a certain demeanor and disposition the 4th quarter invokes. Today marks the commencement of clutch time, where we've seen the schemes of the opposing team, we've made our efforts to achieve, and now the crowd is on their feet cheering and praising as we press on towards the mark.


Our work no matter the profession or capacity, has an underlying function, to give God praise. The fundamental premise is something that slips so easily from my mind in the midst of the many assignments and tasks that grab at my attention on a given day.


Now reading the bible for class is a difficult task. I find myself as I attempt to engage any assigned text, reading ever so carefully. This means examining the context [authorship, construction, literary form] reading the commentary, cross-referencing scriptures, and everything else that goes into a more well-rounded understanding of the text in front of me. This also means getting through a single page let alone the full text, takes time it feels like I simply do not have.


I do what I can because I care and refuse to cheat the opportunity. In the same breath, I recognize that if I do all that is assigned, for all my classes, I will be a gold-star student on paper an impoverished human in practice.


Any student out there can empathize with having an enormous amount of work assigned and falling short of what's expected according to the syllabus.


Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.


In a place like school, how might this scripture apply? Simply put, there is an underlying task in finding alignment in our assignments.


It starts by pausing to pose the question to God: How are you trying to use what’s in front of me to bring something out of me?

To transform amidst the patterns we perceive is only possible through breakage. When we are transformed, we part from the prevailing standards of acceptability and cast our concern unto a higher will, God's will. This is not to infer that everything before us on Earth is inherently counter to God's will, but often the proposed patterns of operation can be quite contentious. For example, a class may require you to read an entire book within a 2-3 day time span before the next class, according to the syllabus. To be concerned with God's good, pleasing, and perfect will is to be concerned with the spirit of our efforts. The transformative tweak is made when we begin to ask how should we engage. With what spirit and posture do I decide to approach the text, my classes, and my classmates? The question is whose will are you working for? This way, we are not defeated in the face of incompletion, but all the while enhanced. We are reminded that our works no matter, how imperfect or unpolished find true completion in rest.


Surely I'm not claiming to have solved this issue, but I am learning gradually how to ease the tension. In doing so:


I'm learning not to expect my professors to be the sole source of knowledge.

I'm learning that I don't have to accept everything that's offered to me.

I'm learning the danger of studying God and not seeking God.

I'm learning when to say "absolutely not" and go hoop.

I'm learning that falling short is a part of striving.

I'm learning how to not blame others for my shortcomings, but to respond with greater agency.

I'm learning to challenge my assumptions.

I'm learning to appreciate correction.


Prayer of Preparation

To God who sees both,

beyond my sight

and into my situation.

I thank you for the privilege to ponder your perfect will and walk according to it. I ask that you would lead me as I look upon this text/journey upon this task. Holy Spirit grant way to truth and transformation. I surrender my academic/professional life unto you. I make room for you to speak, Interrupt, disrupt, edify, and illuminate. Bless this moment: the restful moments, the prayerful moments, the reflective moments. I thank you for divine assurances of renewal, asking these things in the name of Jesus, Amen!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Tuesdays are the busiest: 3 classes, chapel, and choir practice.


That's right, I joined a choir! Ok, the tea is, I didn't have to try out, we love an open invitation!


We also know how precious time is in school. An hour of practice time is a block that could be used for eating, working, shooting the breeze, or even a nap between classes. But after the Chapel service concludes, choir practice commences. We praise.


We praise God amidst many assignments and classes,

waiting around the corner.

We praise amidst natural disasters

and surrounding devastation.

We praise amidst political uncertainty.

We praise while discerning our call to serve

and stand on the side of justice.

We praise alongside peers,

lifting Candler voices unto the Holy One.


We empty our praise in exchange for a better day.


Praise breaks

burdens,

and heals the broken's

unspoken prayers.


We praise em' like we just don't care!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If there was any day to break routine it would be today, as I considered all that is assigned and before me. There's a young adult church service I attend weekly, and this week in particular I wasn't feeling it, but I gave someone my word that I'll give them a ride, and since it would be their first time attending I didn't want to cancel. We made it to service, but this wasn't just any service it was a worship service.


Now you're telling me I came all the way out here "just to sing". That's the problem wit me and this religiosity, too caught up in the motions! I needed to praise. Now I can't lie, I wanted a "word", as in a sermon, as in to be seated, as in to be an observer, not a participant. Can I be real? This was not what I was expecting. But the night kept rolling on and after the 3rd song, I realized there were a bunch more coming. I surrendered, slowly, singing, and praising God's name. The Spirit of the Lord was palpable from the first song, the tone was set. We were gonna have a good time.


As we neared the end of our worship experience, I felt I felt these words come on my spirit, "that don't sound like victory". My singing was slightly shallow in its texture but real. Then the song Firm Foundation [by Chandler Moore, Maverick City Music, and Naomi Raine] came on.


"Christ is my firm foundation

The rock on which I stand


When everything around me is shaken

 I've never been more glad


....... I've still got joy in chaos

I've got peace that makes no sense

And I won't be going under

I'm not held by my own strength


'Cause I built my life on Jesus

He's never let me down

He's faithful in every season

So why would He fail now?


He won't"


I felt God saying praise me until you realize who's won the victory. So I sang with all my soul and finally found my breakthrough. This praise tonight was truly sacrificial. It's easy to praise with an open schedule and an open heart. But to praise God when we're down and just don't feel like it, that typa praise can feel so expensive. But true worship is costly and it's worth it.


Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.






Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page