Peanut butter and WORSHIP

Something that has been on my mind lately is the progression of the weekly jamming time I've been hosting every Sunday over the past year. I've been thinking a lot about what it's purpose is and how we can improve it. And ensuring that it doesn't just become jamming.

I learned in small group last year about the constant communion we should be having with God. Constant, meaning all the time, never ending. Eternal.

A couple of times during jamming, secular music would be played. At first, I thought it was fun, it was fun to reminisce the old songs we used to listen to, and then to play and sing them. That was fun. However at times it becomes excessive. For the guitarists, it might not seem like that big a deal, but I'm often reminded by the others who attend — they aren't there to 'practice', they're here to sing. Moreover, they're here to worship.

But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I don't want secular music played during jamming because it's an inconvenience to others. To me it's more like it's an inconvenience to God. And it's an inconvenience to me. Not to sound selfish either, but I want to spend that time worshipping. For me, practicing guitar is the by-product of worship, not the other way around.

Coupled with this concept of worshipping — not just jamming — is that when we worship God, we are on Holy ground. And with that comes a certain amount of understanding that God is with us. It's kind of like how everyone always prays before fellowship or food, that "our discussion and conversations may be pleasing to You". I've found over the past few months that occasionally it stops being about God and more about hanging out or guitar fun.

This is usually when I'll stand up and go back to my room. When the focus is lost, I tend to retreat to the confines of my bedroom. I know — that people come for different reasons. Some probably do come just to hang out.