Corona Devo 2020

What circumstances do we (if even subconsciously) need in order to praise the Lord?  ...In order to worship the Lord?

A church filled with pews? 
The outdoors surrounded by tall towering trees? 
Perhaps the privacy of our own personal space at home? 

...And feelings, (of course)!  We will worship only if and when we feel like it.  

Do we only worship when we are filled?  When our needs are met?  Do we (most often) worship God when life is good? 

What if we had no family to speak of, or to visit us?  
What if we were sitting at a table with sticky coffee stains and crumbs on it?  
What if a small pool of vomit or spit-up lay on the floor at our feet--so crusty that I couldn't scrub it away, even though I tried with all my might?  
What if this environment was our every day, our every night, our every next day...until we died?

Could we still praise the Lord and worship Him?  

Would we?

~~~

While I was visiting my friends at our local nursing home the other day, we read some stories, and shared in some snacks and a couple of corny jokes from a joke book.  The jokes were terrible, but the company there is always life-giving to me.

By and by, one resident asked me if I have heard of the song, "Way Maker" (written by Nigerian female songwriter Osinachi Okoro, stage name Sinach), which is a popular contemporary worship song at many churches. 

"I like that song", I said to her, and then she promptly pressed, "Can we listen to it?  I love that song!"  (Huge and loud emphasis on the word "love".)

Having no itinerary or reason to resist this request, I searched up the song and it began to play it through my phone. 

I was surprised to see that four or five of the residents that were seated in our area knew every word to the song, and they sang "Way Maker".

One gentleman proceeded to close his eyes (like I sometimes do when in church worshipping), and with eyes closed, he sang each word.  

And then (with eyes still closed), he emotionally, instinctively, spiritually...raised both arms and entered into full worship in the cafeteria of this desolate nursing home, surrounded by other residents. 

He did not need a full band.  

He did not need a church organ.  

He did not need a full bank account. 

He did not need a full stomach. 

He did not need a full wardrobe.

He did not need full health. 

He did not need a cleanly environment.  

And yet...his worship was more authentic than much of the worship that I see (and engage in) on most Sunday's in church.  

What environment do we need to worship the Lord?  What conditions have to be met or what feelings need to be satisfied before we will succumb to our Savior and giving Him glory? 

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, (18) yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  

(19) The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.  ~Habakkuk 3:15-19

I'll be the first to admit: the environment in that nursing home is not the best.  But I will also admit: true intimacy and connection with our Lord means that we can (and will) worship Him even when our conditions are not optimal.  Because--our God's worthiness-of-our-worship is not affected by what affects us.  He is our Way Maker whether it is sunshiney outside or a torrential downpour.   

Regardless of our circumstances today: will we make the choice to praise the Lord?  ...To worship the Lord?

  • Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ”  ~Luke 4:8  
  • God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.  ~John 4:24  
  • Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!  ~Psalm 95:6 
  • Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.  ~Psalm 29:2 
  • Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.  ~Psalm 99:5 
  • Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;  ~I Chrinicles 16:29 
  • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  ~Colossian 3:16

~~

Let's close our eyes.  

Let's forget (and detach) from all of this that surrounds and distracts us.  Let's see God in our mind's eye--our Way Maker.  And let's worship Him together.

"Way Maker" 

You are here, moving in our midst
I worship You...
You are here, working in this place
I worship You...

Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are...

That is who You are...
Even when I don't see it, You're working...

Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God, that is who You are
That is who You are...

~~~

Friends, that IS Who He is.  God is our way maker.  Even when we don't see it--He is working.

What environment do we have to be in to praise the Lord?  ...In order to worship the Lord?  How about whatever environment we are in right now?  

Let's close our eyes.  And let's enter into undignified and unrestrained worship of our Lord today.  Regardless of the filthiness surrounding us and our world.  In spite of stubborn vulgarities and sin that sit like piles of excrement in our path.  Without care or regard for what-others-think of us as we engage in lives of worship. 

And if we don't "see Him" today...take it from my friends at the nursing home: we can still worship Him, regardless of environment or audience. 

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure (Isaiah 25:1).


Blessings, 

Sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com


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