Worshiping a Steadfast God

 

Scripture:   But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God’s Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants.  John 4:23 (TEV)

 

Devotional Thought:

   My daughter’s responsibilities as Director of Children and Family Ministries includes leading weekly chapel for 2- to 5-year-olds who attend the church’s day school. Within the group are her own children. Home with a sick child, chapel was missed. Or was it? Truett, only 3 years old and the one who was sick, realized it was chapel day and at home insisted his mother set up and lead chapel for him. When she was done, he continued to lead chapel himself several more times. Why he engaged in this worship play we may never know. Was he internalizing it? Was it so meaningful he did not want to leave the presence of God? Did he realize his friends were not receiving chapel since mom was home, so he was reenacting for each of them? Was he simply practicing worship skills and practicing telling the story himself? Only Truett and God really know the answers to these questions. What we do know is that worship is meaningful for ALL ages. Even the very young can participate in and gain meaning from the practice of worship. Worship “is the central and formative practice that shapes and sustains all the others [faith practices].” (Stevens, J.G. and Waschevski, M. Rhythms of Worship: The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy, 2014, 69)

 

   During COVID many of us have struggled with not being physically in worship. Others of us have struggled with how to bring worship to all. While other programming in churches were postponed, worship had to continue. Why?

            “Worship is the church’s essential and primary spiritual practice. It is not just an

            expected churchly routine. It is not just one church program among others. It is not

            entertainment that we expect to amuse us. Done poorly or done wonderfully, it is the

            real deal…Let it not be dulled by routine or taken for granted.…Be prepared to be in awe,

            for this is an encounter with the living God.” (Stevens, J.G. and Waschevski, M. Rhythms of

            Worship: The Planning and Purpose of Liturgy, 2014, 69)

Even at the tender age of 3 years, Truett understands this. Just because I am at home and sick, does not mean worship is to be overlooked. This may be the time at which worship is most needed. I can be in such awe that I do not want to leave the worship experience. I do not want to leave the presence of the living God.

 

I wonder how you learned to worship.

I wonder who you will guide in worship.

I wonder how you will make worship part of your life this Lenten season.

 

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for being you.

Thank you for being steadfast.

Help us to worship.

Help us to worship faithfully as You are unwavering to us.

Amen.

 

Thoughts for my younger friends after the scripture is read to them:

I wonder how you have worshiped God.

I wonder what you do to worship God.

I wonder how God wants you to worship.

 

By Lynne Pabst, Certified Christian Educator