The Audience
(a Steve Orr Bible reflection)
We, the audience, had come from all across the United States to hear a huge, multi-city choir sing black gospel music. Dr. James Abbington would lead them. To our surprise, Dr. Abbington asked us, the audience, to become part of the show. He changed the dynamic. He wanted us to sing, too.
Us. The audience.
I marveled at this. What made him think we, the audience, would agree to sing? Shouldn’t we be on the receiving end? But, still wondering, we did what he told us to do. We belted out such well-known gospel greats as "Oh Happy Day," "Marching to Zion," and "Every Praise (Is to Our God)." Song after song, we sang. I wondered if this was just a thing he liked to do, the way some rock stars like to tilt the microphone toward the audience so they can chime in on some parts. Maybe this was just his way.
Then, between songs, he said something that put it all in perspective: "According to Kierkegaard, in church, God is the only audience; we are all participants in the worship."
“God is the only audience.”
That might be debatable. But one thing is not debatable, God is certainly the only audience that matters.
Moses forgot that.
In this week’s Deuteronomy selection, God shows Moses the Promised Land—and then reminds Moses that he will not be entering it. All because Moses forgot just who was the most important audience.
At one pivotal juncture in the Israelite journey through the wilderness, a need arose for water. This was the second time they had lost faith in God to provide water for them. There was much bickering and complaining. Moses was supposed to speak to a rock to start the life-giving flow. Instead, angered by their bickering, he struck the rock with his staff. In doing so, he disobeyed God's instruction. And, because he forgot who his real audience was, he paid the price.
Afterword, GOD said told Moses and Aaron: “Because you didn’t trust me, didn’t treat me with holy reverence in front of the People of Israel, you two aren’t going to lead this company into the land that I am giving them” (Numbers 20:12).
So, remember, no matter where we sit or stand in the assembly, when we act as though we are the audience, we ignore a basic truth about worship: We are not, in fact, the audience.
God is the only audience.
_________________________
I hope you can join us Friday morning for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We meet on Zoom* and in Waco at Our Breakfast Place (8:00-9:00). It’s a great hour of food, fellowship, scripture, and laughter.
Blessings,
Steve
*Zoom link (Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard):
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18
Psalm 1
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46
Proper 25 (30) October 25, 2026
