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In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me. Exodus 20:11(CEV)
It happens in every love relationship at some time or another. Sometimes it is nothing more than a minor irritant. Sometimes it becomes a fatal wound. It’s something we all have an equal amount of so the trick isn’t getting more of it, but using what we have to the best of our ability. So, what is this mysterious potion that can either make a relationship strong and resilient or bring it crashing down? It’s time.
The mark of a vibrant love relationship is the ability of all parties involved to make time with each other. Not time with friends. Not time working together on some project. Not time doing ministry or being involved in the community. Time alone with each other. Time to dream. Time to talk and/or listen. Time for intimacy and passion. If you want passion in your love relationship you must make time for intimacy.
Religion will tell you that you have to be in church on Sunday because God decreed long ago that you were to be there. ‘Keep the Sabbath holy!’ When I was growing up my grandfather had a cabin on a beautiful little fishing lake. Monday through Saturday we could fish to our hearts content…but not on Sunday because Sunday was a day of rest.
Sound silly? It was. But religionists have been making rules about the right and the wrong activities on Sunday (or Sabbath day) since time began. There was one notable exception to the practice of keeping Sabbath Day rules. That exception was Jesus Christ.
Jesus tried to instill in us a new definition of ‘Sabbath’. Sabbath wasn’t a day or a period of time. Sabbath was an attitude. In the original language the word we translate ‘rest’ is really better translated as ‘abstain’. God didn’t rest from creation because he was tired and needed a rest. He abstained from those activities to spend some time enjoying what he saw. The word carries a connotation of intimacy and passion.
Should we worship together? Certainly, for we need the support of our like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ. But our Father isn’t looking for activity and programs and special services. He wants to spend time with you. Intimate, passionate time alone just with you. All the other things churches and ministries offer are great, but just as in a passionate, vibrant love relationship nothing replaces the effects of time alone.
PRAYER: Daddy. I am so caught up in so many things right now. Most (if not all) are very good things. Ministry, job, family, community. I try to tell myself I’m doing this all for you but I realize that what you really want is time alone to hold me, to hear my voice, to touch my soul and feel my touch. Empower me with your Spirit of passion once again as I try to make more time alone with you. Amen.
Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings ever greater glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NCV)
Old Preacher Story Ahead! Story is told of a little boy from the city who visited Grandma and Grandpa’s farm. As was their custom, Grandma and Grandpa, with child in tow, headed off to church on Sunday morning. On returning home Grandma walked with the little boy to the barn to check on some new lambs that had just been born. In the stall next to the lambs was a stubborn old mule. The little boy looked at the mule for some time and then asked a question. “Grandma, Is that old mule a Christian?” Puzzled by the question, Grandma responded, “Why no son, why to you ask that?” The boy responded, “Well, it has the same sad face most of the people had at church today.”
Look around you at the faces of people in church during the worship service. (Be sure not to stare…that’s creepy.) Now, I’ll admit I have a personal struggle with what we call the ‘worship’ part of our church services. I’d like to think there is worship going on but sometimes there is everything BUT worship happening. The praise team can get sucked into performance mentality; the Pastor can be so focused on what he’ll say that he forgets that his worship is far more important than his sermon notes. To others worship is the time cushion that allows late-comers to get into the chairs before the important stuff happens.
So, take a look around. What do you see? Bill and Sally must have had another fight on the way to church; they look like they are ready to bite each others head off. Grandma Jones, as usual is looking around to see who ISN’T there and you’ll be sure she mentions her findings to everyone she sees. Fred is thinking about the ballgame this afternoon. It’s obvious he’s not in tune with the music. Harry wishes we could go back to the good ole’ hymns. He misses the piano, the organ and those good old, doctrine filled songs of his youth.
Okay, perhaps I’m being a bit harsh. None of those examples are real people, but our faces should reflect what we have in Jesus. Whether it be in church, at the office, in the store or on the beach we should reflect our joy with the blessings we have in Christ. Those without Jesus in their lives are burdened with worries, fears, and anxiety. They are looking for an answer to the problems that plague them. They have no hope.
As Christ followers our best testimony to Christ’s love dwelling in us can be the countenance of our faces! A simple smile or a ‘good morning’ greeting to a stranger may be all they need to make their day brighter.
PRAYER: Father God, I thank you for Jesus. I thank you for the love, the forgiveness, and the promises of your word and a guarantee of eternal life with you. Help me in my worship and in my daily living to reflect the love I have for you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Psalm 48:9
True worship comes from the heart. It isn’t about the songs we sing, the instruments we play or the type of service or religious tradition that we follow. Psalm 48 is a praise song Old Testament style. The writers of the Psalm recount the various victories that Israel had over their enemies. These victories didn’t come because Israel was a strong and powerful nation. These victories came because Israel served a strong and powerful God.
Jesus told the woman at the well that worship isn’t about a Temple, building or activity. Worship is about what is going on inside of you and where you are in the journey of life. Paul tells us more about worship when he says, “we are temples of God because the His Holy Spirit lives within us.” We no longer have to travel to a particular spot to engage in a specific activity for a predetermined amount of time.
Worship is also personal. Even though we can gather as a group to worship, it’s really about what is going on in our heart the counts. You can sing and perform worship songs in church and not really worship. You can stand or sit quietly in church and be in a deep state of worship!
Worship is about meditating on God’s great love. Do that now. As you read this verse again, think of what it means to have God’s unfailing love available to you.
God’s love is available to you during those times of financial distress when you realize that you aren’t going to make it. You may be in the process of losing everything, yet in the midst of that meditate on the fact that even though you don’t understand the ‘why’ you know God loves you and will see you through.
God’s love is available in your grief. He knows the pain of losing a loved one. As a father He watched His only Son be brutally murdered even though He was completely innocent.
God’s love is available when friends fail you. Jesus knew that pain. Every one of his closest friends turned their backs on Him when He needed them most. But He loved them just the same.
God’s love is available when relationships you counted on for a lifetime of fulfillment come to a brutal end.
Take time today to meditate in a quiet place, away from distractions. Ask the Father to meet you there. Focus your mind on the good things He has done for you. Trust Him to complete the good work He has begun.
PRAYER: Father God. There are so many distractions in life. I confess to you that my worship of you has been superficial for the most part. I’ve let so many things interfere with really meeting with you. Some of those things are good things like church activities and bible studies and helping the poor. Some are things that are sinful. All of them have kept me from really knowing and understanding you. In this quiet moment please give me one thing I can focus on about your love as I travel through the day. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 