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Worship Quote of the Week: Marinating in the Story
I recently watched, Painting with Words, a short documentary on the celebrated historian and pulitzer prize winning author, David McCullough. When he writes the stories of famous historical figures (i.e. Andrew Jackson) you get the strong sense he actually knew them. The documentary explores his writing process. He said the first thing he does is to marinate his mind in the life of the person he's writing about through immersive reading. Interesting choice of words. Now consider this exhortation from Robert Weber along the same lines with respect to our work.
As pastors of the Word, there is a strong need to soak ourselves in the Triune story of God with its detailed exposition of the central role of Christ in the greatest drama of human history—the drama of God who becomes one of us to rescue the world. This theme of God's rescue of us all—not inspirational topics, motivational speakers, or massive therapy sermons—needs to be recovered as the central message of our church. Robert E. Webber, Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God's Narrative. (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2008), 121.
I'd be interested to hear how you all go about this kind of marinating or soaking in the Story.
posted by John David Walt | at 3/19/2009 03:01:00 AM
Today...
8 Comments:
Idealy? or How it really happens.
Idealy I spend time with God's Word early in the week and continue to sink into it through commentary study through the week. But this is particular to preaching, not necesarily to living in the Word.
Perspective then becomes my greatest champion in living in the word and allowing the marinade to sink in. That is, I have to have the mind and the intent of being someone who considers marination in God's word to be something that is ongoing and that all the ingredients have some effect on the final outcome. By seeing that the people that I am with through out the week are part of the marinade adding to it like Garlic and Salt, Vinigar and Pepper. Letting them all add to me in a way that will bring me to a place of maximum flavoration. Thats it isn't it. Perspective. As I walk with God, and intentionally seek to know God through my day, then whatever text that is with me is the main flavoring agent, and the people I'm in relationship with through the day are all thrown into the marinade bag along with me. Sometimes we are suprised by what we might see in the marinade, like that doesn't taste good on its own. . .however in the harmony of flavoring that one ingredient may be what brings it altogether. So I try to be reflective of my life and living and how God is using those I come in contact with to speak to me through our relationship and His Word.
GREAT connection here JD- seamless transition into the kingdom narrative from the edges of it.
Twiturgy!
asburyreader.com or hard copy
I'm glad someone's bringing the metaphor of marination into the conversation... some people in Louisiana have used that in preaching for a while...cause the good stuff happens when you marinate...
Watch out for those people in Louisiana. They've got some spicy marinades. =-) They'll set you on fire!
JDP - I like ur emphasis on time with God/Word and relationship/experience. It is crazy how marinating shows up in daily life and in relationships. God's Word in the heart just seems to flavor everything. And everything seems to point back to God's Word.
Here's some things I do to marinate:
Position - Noted in Ruth this week how she responded to Boaz. She positioned herself for an apt answer as she opened her mouth. Physical position helps me to somehow connect with my words better. Helps things to sink in and reminds me of my place before God.
Frivolity - Sometimes you just have to be inefficient in hadnling God's words. Enjoy them, think on them, rewrite them, etc. Even if you don't have a specific end to get to. Unique flavors come out.
Creativity - Get into nature to read, read aloud, make up songs, etc. I'm anal and detailed, so getting creative helps me apply and draw out principles. "I Remember" is something I haven't done in a while. I focus on a particular thing like God's actions in Exodus, Ruth, etc. Then I start making "I remember..." statements that recall what he did or what he taught. The lines begin to blur on what I remember because I read it and what I remember because of full assurance of faith in its accuracy and reality.
I also use a blindfold during especially hard times of faith. These are really deep times, usually involving placement and purpose. I have a blindfold that I keep. It is stained with tears. I don't always understand the changes he brings into my life, but I can trust in His goodness. The blindfold forces me to acknowledge my state and to let the deep truths of God sink in. Kind of like marinating meat that has been tenderized.
Consistency - being consistent is key. Separating myself from God's Word for a time is not good. Part of me dies. Consistency renews my heart even if I don't feel it. His Word and presence WILL affect me.
really liked this-- it is a quite immersive practice-- to remember in a way that puts you there rather than like a history test. good.
"I Remember" is something I haven't done in a while. I focus on a particular thing like God's actions in Exodus, Ruth, etc. Then I start making "I remember..." statements that recall what he did or what he taught. The lines begin to blur on what I remember because I read it and what I remember because of full assurance of faith in its accuracy and reality.
wow on the blindfold idea-- that's really fascinating.
I also use a blindfold during especially hard times of faith. These are really deep times, usually involving placement and purpose. I have a blindfold that I keep. It is stained with tears. I don't always understand the changes he brings into my life, but I can trust in His goodness. The blindfold forces me to acknowledge my state and to let the deep truths of God sink in. Kind of like marinating meat that has been tenderized.
How do you practically marinate during the week so that you can be ready to handle God's Word well through leading?
I've always had jobs that did not include handling God's Word as a part of the job description, so I've never had to work that type of time into my work week. But the day is full of practical stuff no mater what job description you have. How do you all make time to be impractical and "marinate" so that it is a priority of your work and not one of the many things to get done? Do you have to leave the office? Do you hide under the pews with a flashlight and a Bible? Do you have really good security guards (assistants)? I'm hoping that after seminary, handling God's Word will become more involved in my job description. I'd love to hear some practical ways that others incorporate that type of thought and study into the "9 to 5" day.
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I had commented earlier but deleted it because I'm still processing and thinking on these things...
This week, I was at a conference where Jim Cymbala was one of the main speakers - WOW! While I was talking with a new ministry acquaintance, he shared with me that he wants to be "marinated" in God's Word... It led to quite an encouraging conversation.
That makes the third time in a short period of time that I have been challenged to contemplate this concept.
Funny how God works like that...
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