Week 4 – When your community won’t be still

So far, we’ve discussed the context of our scripture; to whom the instruction was given (the Israelites), what it was in reference to (the pursuing Egyptian armies and the fear that ensued) and how it relates to us as modern day believers. We’ve explored how we can learn to be still and trust in God’s voice and superior solutions to our problems.

 

Now let’s zoom out and think about this from the larger, communal perspective. God’s command to be still was given to a group of people. A very large group of people. Think more than half a million people (Exodus 12:37). The idea of that vast group of people learning to be still (or silent as some translations put it) seems outrageous to me. But this is what God expected. And when we believers stand in any number, this is what God requires of us. But what happens when the group, as a whole, refuses to be silent and still? I mean, how likely is it that half a million people actually all stopped and listened to Moses, then followed God’s instructions?

 

I have worked as the worship leader for a ministry that provides a weekly meal and a church service to the unhoused and disadvantaged people of Nashville for several years. Most weeks, we have upwards of 200 people in attendance. Now this certainly isn’t half a million people, but it is a challenging group. Many of our guests have grown up in homes or lived in situations where fundamental respect for themselves and others were not emphasized. Many of our folks have been mistreated and demeaned. They have not received respect from others, nor have some of them learned how to respect others. 

 

So, when it comes time to start our service, there is often times very little silence going on. Certainly there are some wonderful guests who sit quietly, sing along, nod their heads and participate, but there is a whole constituency in the back of the room that talks at full volume throughout the service. 

 

I have learned that, while I could stand up front and shame and shush them incessantly for their disrespect, I know that, while that would get their attention momentarily, it wouldn’t last but a minute or two. The truth is, many people are only there for the meal. I get that, so I don’t force my hand, as long as the people who want to participate can do so without difficulty. 

 

However, there is a power that I’ve observed. When I’m singing or speaking and look out and hear an unprecedented amount of chatter and heads down and I start to feel like all of it is futile, it just so happens to be the exact times that multiple people come to the altar – people I didn’t even think were paying attention. It’s in these moments that I watch as our team of volunteers gather around, anointing and praying, arms encircling our fellow human beings as they weep. 

 

I’ve learned that, while we cannot control others, while we cannot force the community around us to be still and to be silent, we can allow God to fight for us and to fight for his truth. We can be the peace that our brothers and sisters need. We can show them what the joy and praise of the Lord looks like, even when it’s only one person at a time. And in doing so, we will know that Christ is working through us, whether we see it or not. We simply let our own faith influence others. In doing so, we allow the love of Christ to work powerfully through us.