Mustang Fever

I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point in the recent past, my boys became fascinated with Mustangs. When we are driving to and from school or church, they feel the need to point out every Mustang on the road. Sometimes they call the wrong car a Mustang, but for the most part, they quickly identify Mustangs of various years. Amazing kids, aren't they?

I like Mustangs, too. I especially like the older ones and the newer ones that are designed to look like the older models. My sons have a Hot Wheels car that is a '69 Mustang, and it is all black with flames on it. I'm not a huge fan of the flames, but it's easily my favorite one of all the 200+ Hot Wheels cars that lie around the house.

What is it about some things that make them our "Favorites?" Why do we pick out certain characteristics that we connect with more than others? Some people like Camaros. Some like Corvettes. I'm a fan of the Mustang. (And the new Dodge Chargers, but that just goes in another direction...) The thing is, they are all CARS. They serve the same purpose--to provide transportation to the driver. They get us where we need to be.

Now, Hit the brakes and change directions. Think about Worship services at church. Some people have different preferences. Some like the Modern Services with music centering around Guitars, Drums, Keyboards, and catchy hooks and song titles. Some prefer the Organ and Piano with predictable Hymn Tunes and styles. Others still choose to go very liturgical in style and still incorporate chant and responsive readings. There are different styles that connect with people in different ways.

But, trouble comes when people start to compete between the styles. Some swear by the "Old Stuff," while others dismiss it and quickly accept the "new stuff." Remember the cars? They all look different, but serve the same purpose: To get us where we need to be. Worship is similar in that the styles may look different, but they all serve the purpose of transporting us to the throne of God.

I admit freely that this is a simplified look at a growing problem. But, I'm nothing if not simple. I'm not always a big fan of the mini-van I drive, but if it gets me where I need to be, that's more important to me than what the van looks like. If we make our destination for worship (the throne of God) more important than how we get there, then I think we'll find that our mode of transportation will become more inter-changeable, and we will learn to appreciate all the ways and modes in which we come before God.