Excerpt from Isaiah 29:13-1

"The Lord said, 'Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote; so I will again do amazing things with this people, shocking and amazing.'"

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

I often hear from worshipers who are unsure whether they should say or sing something in worship.  One guy can't get his head around the Trinity, and wonders whether he should be singing the Doxology with the rest of us.  A woman doesn’t think she should pass the peace because she rarely feels particularly peaceful herself. 

They're worried about being the kind of hypocrite Isaiah describes.  I love that about them.

Here's what I tell them: If you don't believe something, and don’t want to believe it, and are not open to new insight on that point, then don’t say it.

But if you’re simply not sure you believe something, or if you don’t believe it now but would like to believe it, or if you're willing to be changed, then go for it.  If we were all expected to believe everything about the faith before we even walk in the door, then the whole place—including the pulpit—would be empty.  Instead, we're all in the process of talking and living ourselves into belief.

I tell them to think of the words like beautiful hand-me-down clothes that may not fit now, but which they just might grow into.  I tell them go ahead, say the words bold and proud, and see whether you aren’t convinced in the saying.

Which is not hypocrisy, but hope.

Prayer

Lord, don't let me be a hypocrite, but don't let me pass up on truth just because I don’t get it the first time, either.  Amen. 

About the Author Quinn G. Caldwell is Associate Minister of Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

New for Lent--The Jesus Diaries: Who Jesus is to Me, Entries from the Stillspeaking Writer's Group.  Ideal for your weekly Lenten discussion series.  Eight short, conversational essays by writers of the Daily Devotionals.

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