
Life often presents us with opportunities to connect meaningfully with those we care about. Recently, I had lunch with someone dear to me, someone I hadn’t seen in a few weeks. Though we stay in touch through text, nothing compares to face-to-face conversations. Inevitably, when we meet in person, our discussions gravitate toward God and the Bible.
It’s clear she’s exploring her spiritual path, trying to work out her own salvation. I’ve come to this conclusion based on the questions she consistently asks me.
She once told me why she seeks me out for these discussions. She knows I’ll offer her a godly perspective while respecting her freedom to make her own decisions. This dynamic has shaped my role as more of an advisor than a meddler in her life. My wife often asks about these meetings, curious about what we discuss. My typical responses are along the lines of, “I don’t know” or “I don’t ask those kinds of questions.” For me, it’s simple: if she wants me to know, she’ll tell me. This approach sometimes frustrates my wife, but I believe in maintaining boundaries and not prying into matters she’s not ready to share.
During this recent conversation, my daughter shared an interesting update—she’s now the drummer for the congregation she’s attending. I was thrilled and told her as much, but I couldn’t resist asking what inspired her to choose the drums. She’s one of those naturally gifted individuals who can pick up musical instruments with minimal formal training, playing beautifully by ear. Our talk soon shifted to David’s use of instruments in worship.
Her curiosity about the biblical context of music in worship led us deeper into scripture.
I explained to her that David and the children of Israel worshipped God in ways that differ significantly from many practices today. However, I encouraged her to seek guidance directly from scripture. I pointed out Matthew 26:30 (KJV), where Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn without instruments. Additionally, I referenced Acts 17:24-25, where Luke writes:
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.”
These verses remind us that worship is not about physical acts or objects but about our reverence and connection to God. Still, I acknowledged that people often choose paths they feel are right, whether or not they align with scripture. The key, I shared with her, is to determine whether one’s worship is guided by personal feelings or by what is written in God’s Word.
As our conversation concluded, I reflected on my role in her spiritual journey. I’ve come to understand that while I can offer guidance, the choices she makes are hers alone. My role is not to impose my beliefs but to provide her with the tools to seek God’s truth. As I’ve often observed, there are two kinds of people: those who strive to align their actions with scripture and those who follow their own path.
The ultimate question for anyone seeking faith is this: Which one are you?
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