What does it mean to worship? ...I have contemplated that during this part of Lent, this year. Where to worship? How to worship? .....I have been to so many different types of churches/worship services over the years. And have had so many different types of experiences. One thread that runs through each experience is totally immersing myself in focusing on God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. It's not always easy to get to that point. At least for me, anyway. As I get to that place of worship, suddenly my mind is bombarded with other things. I really have to focus in, to truly ask God ,Himself, to help get me to a place where the world stops chattering and to come into His Presence. Sound easy?? As you know, it is not. It is hard to "turn off" things around you as you try to find that silent place. It's hard not to look around/to center yourself/to be able take deep breaths of breathing in the glory of God . So often, it's this very chaotic world that jumbles our thoughts.......
So where do I go to try and find that silent and holy place? Many places. It can be on the floor of my closet. It can be under the pouring water of my shower head. It has been in a beautiful Cathedral in Italy. Or sitting by the water's edge at the beach. I've found this holy place in the middle of others raising their hands in worship on Sunday mornings. Or even looking at the sleeping baby in my arms. Sometimes it comes walking alone on the Walking Trail. Worship for me comes easy at times and at other times, I have to truly pray for God to help me prepare my own A.D.D. self to where I can listen and center into His Voice. And, when that happens, I truly find peace. No other place can REAL PEACE be found. Not in buying something new. Not in a clean house (although it helps! LOL). Not in achieving greatness. Not in that huge steak and baked potato. Not in that number on the scale. Not even in the eyes of my beloved children, even though I love staring at them. All those wonderful moments are just that. Wonderful. But, fleeting. Because? Because the house will get messy again. Because The steak and potato might cause heartburn later. Because the number on the scale will probably go back up. Because even the eyes of my children they are fleeting moments as they go on with their own futures and lives. So, how does one capture peace? Find a place to worship? How does one center themselves in a place of calm when the world is making everyone crazy?
WHEREVER I AM, I CAN WORSHIP. wherever I am, whatever I may be doing. In the middle of crisis. In the middle of anger. In the middle of hurt. In the middle of joy. In the middle of traffic. For in worshipping, I find joy/peace/calm and hope. And, there is no other place I can be where this is possible except through the simple act of centering on the One who can make my heart sing no matter where or what I am doing.
Here is the Greek word for Worship:Proskuneo . It means to "Bow down" or to "kiss the master's hand". when I think about that, I think of how my dogs love to LICK me. It drives me bananas but I have read it is their way of expressing love. And yes, my dogs worship me!!! So it's not surprising that the lick/or kiss can be an outward way of worship. I have seen the faithful kiss statues in Italy and Israel. Strangely enough, I wanted to, also, at times. I wanted to do some sort of showing my affection to a statue of Christ, several times, while on trips to Cathedrals or churches. I almost felt compelled to do it. It was almost like a compelling response. But, being a good Protestant, I refrained. But, when I am alone, I do sometimes acknowledge God with a kiss towards heaven. Or raise my hands, even when alone. Or even pray on the floor, prostate. Or,hold the Rosary I bought at the Vatican. (yes, I'm Methodist. It's ok.,for us to hold a rosary, I promise. LOL).
When I was participating in the Christmas Bazaar at St. Peter's, I had many items for sale of my trip to Italy. Photo cards I had made/enlargements of certain pictures,etc. ..I was standing there talking to someone when I saw a woman in a wheelchair who nodded to the one pushing her to come to my booth. She clearly looked Italian (and was speaking Italian), (no offense to Italians,actually I'm jealous! LOL), and pointed to the enlargement I had of a picture of the Virgin Mary made in an Assisi church. Her husband, (I assume it was ), asked if she could see it and of course, DOLLAR SIGNS in my head went off (being honest here, lol) and I smiled a big smile and said "of course!". She took the large picture (that I had mounted on this laminate, so it was also heavy and thick), and she stared at it. Just stared. Suddenly, with such tenderness and love she brought the picture to her lips where she lightly kissed it. Tears were in her eyes. This woman was worshipping amid all these people, me included! What should I have done? I should have said "take it! it's yours!" (darn it, wish I had!), but I looked away because it touched me so. When I looked back, her husband had pushed her out the door. FOR ME, that was an act of worship. She wasn't being showy or trying to bring attention to herself. She was responding to an emotion. She was worshipping..... I didn't sell that piece that day. I had a LOT of people who looked at it. Instead, it now is on an easel by my front door. I pass by it all day long. But, now, when I need "centering", I remember the Italian lady who showed me how to worship amid the crowds. And, sometimes, I will stop right there--by the front door--drop to my knees and worship. NOT the picture. NOT the Blessed Virgin in the picture. But as a focal point and a reminder that I can worship anytime during the day... And I know that the reason I enlarged the picture, even though I didn't know it at the time. God wanted me to always have a focal point of worship. And it took a stranger to show me that.
Do you have a place , in the midst of turmoil and the chaos of life, where you can worship? If so, I'd love to hear about it. If not, look around you and see where you might find a spot of calm and quiet. It might be right beside your door. If not, look around you and open your eyes. Your spiritual eyes. Sometimes our physical eyes can't see what our spiritual eyes can. During this time of Lent, I encourage you to take some time away from all that you fill your days with and spend a little time each day in worship. I'm doing it and my life is so much calmer/fresher/meaningful that I just might continue it PAST Lent. If you have a similar experience, please share it with me. I'd love to hear about it.
Psalm 27:8
"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!'! Your face, Lord will I seek"
So where do I go to try and find that silent and holy place? Many places. It can be on the floor of my closet. It can be under the pouring water of my shower head. It has been in a beautiful Cathedral in Italy. Or sitting by the water's edge at the beach. I've found this holy place in the middle of others raising their hands in worship on Sunday mornings. Or even looking at the sleeping baby in my arms. Sometimes it comes walking alone on the Walking Trail. Worship for me comes easy at times and at other times, I have to truly pray for God to help me prepare my own A.D.D. self to where I can listen and center into His Voice. And, when that happens, I truly find peace. No other place can REAL PEACE be found. Not in buying something new. Not in a clean house (although it helps! LOL). Not in achieving greatness. Not in that huge steak and baked potato. Not in that number on the scale. Not even in the eyes of my beloved children, even though I love staring at them. All those wonderful moments are just that. Wonderful. But, fleeting. Because? Because the house will get messy again. Because The steak and potato might cause heartburn later. Because the number on the scale will probably go back up. Because even the eyes of my children they are fleeting moments as they go on with their own futures and lives. So, how does one capture peace? Find a place to worship? How does one center themselves in a place of calm when the world is making everyone crazy?
WHEREVER I AM, I CAN WORSHIP. wherever I am, whatever I may be doing. In the middle of crisis. In the middle of anger. In the middle of hurt. In the middle of joy. In the middle of traffic. For in worshipping, I find joy/peace/calm and hope. And, there is no other place I can be where this is possible except through the simple act of centering on the One who can make my heart sing no matter where or what I am doing.
Here is the Greek word for Worship:Proskuneo . It means to "Bow down" or to "kiss the master's hand". when I think about that, I think of how my dogs love to LICK me. It drives me bananas but I have read it is their way of expressing love. And yes, my dogs worship me!!! So it's not surprising that the lick/or kiss can be an outward way of worship. I have seen the faithful kiss statues in Italy and Israel. Strangely enough, I wanted to, also, at times. I wanted to do some sort of showing my affection to a statue of Christ, several times, while on trips to Cathedrals or churches. I almost felt compelled to do it. It was almost like a compelling response. But, being a good Protestant, I refrained. But, when I am alone, I do sometimes acknowledge God with a kiss towards heaven. Or raise my hands, even when alone. Or even pray on the floor, prostate. Or,hold the Rosary I bought at the Vatican. (yes, I'm Methodist. It's ok.,for us to hold a rosary, I promise. LOL).
When I was participating in the Christmas Bazaar at St. Peter's, I had many items for sale of my trip to Italy. Photo cards I had made/enlargements of certain pictures,etc. ..I was standing there talking to someone when I saw a woman in a wheelchair who nodded to the one pushing her to come to my booth. She clearly looked Italian (and was speaking Italian), (no offense to Italians,actually I'm jealous! LOL), and pointed to the enlargement I had of a picture of the Virgin Mary made in an Assisi church. Her husband, (I assume it was ), asked if she could see it and of course, DOLLAR SIGNS in my head went off (being honest here, lol) and I smiled a big smile and said "of course!". She took the large picture (that I had mounted on this laminate, so it was also heavy and thick), and she stared at it. Just stared. Suddenly, with such tenderness and love she brought the picture to her lips where she lightly kissed it. Tears were in her eyes. This woman was worshipping amid all these people, me included! What should I have done? I should have said "take it! it's yours!" (darn it, wish I had!), but I looked away because it touched me so. When I looked back, her husband had pushed her out the door. FOR ME, that was an act of worship. She wasn't being showy or trying to bring attention to herself. She was responding to an emotion. She was worshipping..... I didn't sell that piece that day. I had a LOT of people who looked at it. Instead, it now is on an easel by my front door. I pass by it all day long. But, now, when I need "centering", I remember the Italian lady who showed me how to worship amid the crowds. And, sometimes, I will stop right there--by the front door--drop to my knees and worship. NOT the picture. NOT the Blessed Virgin in the picture. But as a focal point and a reminder that I can worship anytime during the day... And I know that the reason I enlarged the picture, even though I didn't know it at the time. God wanted me to always have a focal point of worship. And it took a stranger to show me that.
Do you have a place , in the midst of turmoil and the chaos of life, where you can worship? If so, I'd love to hear about it. If not, look around you and see where you might find a spot of calm and quiet. It might be right beside your door. If not, look around you and open your eyes. Your spiritual eyes. Sometimes our physical eyes can't see what our spiritual eyes can. During this time of Lent, I encourage you to take some time away from all that you fill your days with and spend a little time each day in worship. I'm doing it and my life is so much calmer/fresher/meaningful that I just might continue it PAST Lent. If you have a similar experience, please share it with me. I'd love to hear about it.
Psalm 27:8
"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!'! Your face, Lord will I seek"