For Rowdy Christians Everywhere

by Dave Schultz

The Old Man on Worship

  I found my friend next in a park, bowed in worship.

  I was embarrassed. He was not, but explained, “Grace

  made me kneel! The Spirit fell upon me today

  saying ‘Praise Him where you are!’ We came together

  in prayer instantly, without finding a church first--

  pleased to confess His name in front of old and young.”

  As I helped him up he grinned, “Thanks, I’m not as young

  as I used to be.” Then he talked about worship.

  “Hmm, what is it exactly? Well, I guess that first

  and foremost, it’s loving God, praising Him for grace,

  knowing He is real, wanting to get together

  to pray for tomorrow and give thanks for today.

  “It used to be, everyone worshipped. Today?

  Look around you. Who has time to ‘train up the young’?

  But here’s a funny thing--if you don’t learn together,

  they’ll learn on their own. I’ve seen teens come to worship

  without being told--moved by the hand of grace.

  Do you think that’s just ‘culture’, or was something there first?

  “Those who call it conditioning should ask themselves first:

  is faith still compulsory anyplace today?

  And yet some feel compelled. What can that be but grace?

  The simple knowledge that we have had since we were young,

  that there exists a God who deserves our worship,

  and that, through Christ, God and man are joined together.

  “The church’s custom of gathering together

  has its place. But who shall come unless they are first

  made curious? Since only God inspires worship,

  it becomes a sign! Perhaps that’s why I knelt today...

  To remind the old, and bear witness to the young,

  that there lives a God who both commands and gives grace.

  “In an age like this, any sign that points towards grace

  is welcome. God wants all people saved together,

  serving Him with the obedience of the young.

  Before there are churches, hymns or creeds, faith comes first.”

  He winked, “That’s why I knelt on your behalf today.

  Praying for the lost also constitutes worship.”

  When he left, the first thing I did was to worship.

  I too felt the grace he had spoken of today!

  Talking together with God, my heart was made young.