The French Church

The French Church

We have been in France.  There is a church  in every village....wonderful cathedrals in small villages and  more impressive ones in the cities.   We stayed in Bayeux, a small town  in Normandy and there was a spectacular (mainly because of the size) cathedral dedicated in the late 11th century, built by William the Conquerer.

As you go inside,  no matter the size,  there is always a "Silence" sign.  The light is dim, streaming in from small windows or stained glass.  You stand in one place and silently turn full circle looking up into the vastness of the arched ceiling.

Outside one cathedral, a series of statues were carved into the facade, telling the story of God to peasants who could not read.  As the local guide related the story,  basically she said the story line was "believe God, obey the bishop and you would go to heaven.  Refuse and you go to hell," .... all  related with this charming French accent.

So the peasants came, stood, sat, kneeled, prayed, left...with no connection, just a box checked to ensure safe passage to Paradise.  Sound familiar?  Kind of  like U.S. churches.

When Jesus' disciples asked that He teach them to pray, the first words out of His mouth were, "Our Father...."  Not a cringing, cowering, fear imposing title...simply, "Our Father."  This was not found in the Old Testament...only when Jesus came and introduced us to His Father.

He'd demonstrated this connection often as they found him praying.  With  the model He gave, the discourse with His Father was a picture of the connection we could have with His Father, our Father as believers.  It would be a renewal throughout the day , verbalizing  trust in His guidance, dependence on His presence, a sense of  place in His family, thankfulness for His  involvement in our  daily  life. Peace.

U.S. protestant churches in an attempt I guess to major on family likeness, look like one big party on Sunday mornings.  You could be at a PTA meeting or Rotary Club actually....singing camp songs.  The silence and awe of the French cathedrals are missing.  We're ignoring the awesome majesty of our God.

To combine our Father...the close connection, warmth, and familial relationship ....with the quiet sense of awe of a majestic God of the French church...would be, I believe, so balanced and  appropriate.

The worshipper would leave with an accurate  picture  of just Whom he is praying to....Big, Awesome, Mighty God ....because the focus would have been on Him  in such a silent place.  There would be a renewal of the close connection he has...Father to child....as the believer prayed.  Then robust songs of praise to the One who brought us salvation would reflect the joy in the believer's heart that such a relationship inspires.

We would leave with  a sense of awe, renewed trust in One so immense....which leads to obedience which leads to glory  and praise of ...His Father, our Father.