Do you take people as they are in worship? in church? in life? We need to be aware of each other and honor each other before ourselves (Romans 12:10). Right is right and wrong is wrong. Let God and His Word hold the authority on that. We need to encourage each other to be ourselves. Not to be someone we aren't. Within God's confines, not our own. This frees people in worship, in church, and in life.
Van Gogh had passion. His passion was not encouraged in the church. He wanted to engage. He wanted to serve. He wanted to give all he had. He wanted to love the Lord with all his heart, soul mind and strength (Mark 12:30). It is a tragedy that he could not do that within the church and had to leave in order to fulfill this first of the two greatest commandments.
Check out the picture below. It's one of van Gogh's paintings. Can you guess what it's called?
This is why we call our church service a "service". Not for the purpose of you being served. No. It is so that you can serve. It is so you can serve God with what you bring. Your heart focused on the fellowship. Your soul focused on the praying. Your mind focused on the teaching. Your body focused on the singing. This is serving: engagement. So serve in the service. Let's not make our church look like Church Pew with Worshippers. Let's make our church look like one that van Gogh would fit in... passion and all. Serve in the service. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48 & Colossians 3:23)
worship Him 24/7...
Scott