Ruminating the Obvious

Just when you think you have things figured out, a congealing of the thought processes, all puzzle pieces connected...or at least in cohesive piles...your mind is lead into unchartered territory...or at least areas you probably flew by in this journey of life.

But isn't it odd that we have chosen a "time" of worship and the appropriate manner in which to process that worship, a true blue agenda of the perfect amount of singing, praying, preaching and communing?

Isn't it odd that this program agenda is more important than consoling, praying with or listening to one who needs us?

Isn't it odd that what is allowable in one instance of Bible study is not allowed in others?

Isn't it odd that one of the most precious components of our worship, taking the Lord's Supper, is mostly one of few words, a hurried affair, taken for granted and passed through without feeling...just another point on our schedule for the morning "worship"?

Isn't it odd that we do not show with our voices, with our emotions, with outward appearance the reverence and awe due to the absolutely divine presence of God in our midst?

Isn't it odd that we do not see God in our midst? Does the brightness of our fluorescent lighting outshine the holiness of God?  

Isn't it odd that we cannot see or admit to our traditions?  Are we so set in our traditions that we are blind to all else?

Isn't it odd that we confine worship to a church building?

Isn't it odd that no one wonders these things...but me?

Every Single One

The world's population is now over seven billion people.  Living in a rural setting, that number is alien to me, unfathomable.  Surely the earth cannot hold us all, as huge as it is.  Put yourself in the middle of seven billion people...how can you be distinguished from the masses, the broiling, teeming swirl of humanity that is constantly moving and growing?   How can you matter?

in·fin·i·tes·i·mal:  An immeasurably or incalculably minute amount or quantity.

There are 10 times more stars in the night sky than grains of sand in the world's deserts and beaches, according to scientists.  Astronomers estimated there are 70 thousand million million million - or seven followed by 22 zeros - stars visible from the Earth through telescopes.

Sort of makes the world's population seem small, doesn't it?

But doesn't it also start to put some things into perspective?

We think we have put God into a certain place.  Our mind pictures a throne of majesty and grandeur, yes.  Somewhere between earth and heaven, wherever that is.  We picture our galaxy, and then the mind wavers and recedes.  The vastness of outer space is mind boggling and fearful.  We try to accept the unimaginable distances and time and unknown and our hearts begin to pound.   Who is this God who can create and manage such wonders?  And who am I that He would create and plan a life for...me, this infinitesimal dot on the universes?



If I have not expressed jubilent thanks to my Lord for my life and the hope He gives me...every moment of my waking...then I am remiss, uncaring and traitorous.  For my God, who is the Creator of all things, is faithful and one day will tell me...this infinitesimal dot...the secrets of His creations and I will know and enjoy the wonderful things he has planned for me in heaven.  I love you, Lord, and I will not miss out on your promises!

Scheduling God

It caught my eye as I was browsing...What would happen if we looked at our schedules as acts of worship?        

What, my schedule?  Worship?  We had just gone through a series of lessons on worship at church, and I was pretty sure this one wasn't mentioned.  I almost passed it by.  But curiosity got the better of this ole cat and I read on.

What constitutes worship has been on my mind for some time now...years really.  Is everything I do worship?  Is there such a thing as simply living my life without it necessarily being worship?

“Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering’” (Rom. 12:1, MSG).

Living a life is not worship...unless I make it so!  I can either reflect the glory of God and show the presence of Jesus in my life, or I can reflect the opposite.  Every day is a choice; every moment is a choice...whether I build up or tear down; whether I encourage or criticize; whether I forgive or not forgive; whether I give mercy or pronounce judgment; whether I share my faith or remain silent. 

Dusting can become meditative moments...vacuuming can provide times of prayerful thoughts...errands can be opportunities for reaching out...work can be filled with joyful attitude and calming spirit...travel time can be spent in appreciation and thankfulness for God created views of beauty and nature.

Schedules change from day to day...no two days are exactly the same.  As a child of God, we should remain constant, always looking to God in every instance of our schedules, allowing His nature to influence us in word and deed.  Then our everyday, ordinary life will be extraordinary and a fitting offering for the One who made us!