In the church my family attends, we read the passion narrative on Palm Sunday. We read it from start to finish, with various people assigned speaking roles.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not a performance, just Scripture proclaimed in different voices: Jesus, Pilate, Peter. The congregation is given the part of being the crowd. We\u2019re the ones who cry out, \u201cCrucify him!\u201d<\/p>\n
Frankly, it\u2019s a bit awkward. I mean, I don\u2019t want to seem lackluster or disinterested when demanding, \u201cRelease Barabbas!\u201d… but then again, it wouldn\u2019t do to sound overly enthusiastic. And I love that awkwardness. I love it because it makes me face the fact that on some days, some portion of my worship isn\u2019t worship. It\u2019s posturing. I\u2019m aware of my audience, and it\u2019s not entirely God.<\/p>\n
None of us like to admit that our prayers are sometimes in part crafted for the ears around us. We\u2019d like to gloss over the truth that our kindness and generosity may be influenced by a desire to be thought of as good Christians. But though we wince to admit that we\u2019re not 100% God-directed, it\u2019s better to be honest than to pretend we\u2019re better than we are. It\u2019s the only way to grow in faith.<\/p>\n
While we\u2019re facing facts, here\u2019s another one to ponder: Everything we do in this imperfect life will come from mixed motives. That tells us the appropriate response to discovering we have a split devotional focus isn\u2019t shame, but prayer. Prayer as in:<\/p>\n
Lord, draw my heart away from the rewards of this world and focus it fully on you.<\/em> We can\u2019t overcome human nature alone. The only way to grow closer to God is with his help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the church my family attends, we read the passion narrative on Palm Sunday. We read it from start to finish, with various people assigned speaking roles. It\u2019s not a performance, just Scripture proclaimed in different voices: Jesus, Pilate, Peter. The congregation is given the part of being the crowd. We\u2019re the ones who cry […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":26861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[294],"tags":[14,72],"ppma_author":[495],"class_list":["post-16335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-devotions-for-inspiration","tag-spiritual-growth","tag-stories-of-faith"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nFather, help me think less of what others think, and seek to please you only.<\/em>
\nJesus, show me where my weaknesses lie\u2014and help me grow stronger in love.<\/em><\/p>\n