Today is Sunday, the day of worship. As Christians we worship on Sunday, the day we claim Jesus rose from the dead. Every Sunday becomes a mini-Easter. When you think of worship, what images come into your mind?
Prayers?
Singing?
A long sermon?
Worship, at its heart is centering us on what is worthy. "Worship" is the combination of "worth" and "ship". Giving worth to something or someone is vital. Paul Tillich often said that there was no atheist, that all of us have something of "ultimate concern" or something of worth at the center of our lives. For some it is our job, for others it is a certain sport/event, for others it is relationships.
Worship reminds us that the center of our lives is God who comes to us in the form of Jesus. God takes on human flesh. Such an action reminds us that God understands and experiences all the joy and pain that comes with this life. Jesus joyfully ate and drank. Jesus cared deeply for people and healed people. Jesus faced desertion and betrayal. Jesus even suffered death. Worship proclaims that death is never the last word. There is life and light that comes in our relationship with God at the center.
It is the prayer of those who plan worship that the prayers, singing and sermon somehow, through the mystery of God, connect us to God.
Remember one of Isaiah's vision and calling was in the temple. Isaiah responded to God by saying "here I am, send me." Isaiah encountered God in a life changing way. It is appropriate to end Isaiah with worship, which is where is calling first began. Worship is where we begin, where we can say, "Here I am, with all my joy, hopes, uncertainties and concerns." And worship sends us out to live each day with that truth.
May these encounters with Isaiah help us to remember God's presence in our life. May our worship moments connect us to traces of God's grace every Sunday.
Blessings!
Prayers?
Singing?
A long sermon?
Worship, at its heart is centering us on what is worthy. "Worship" is the combination of "worth" and "ship". Giving worth to something or someone is vital. Paul Tillich often said that there was no atheist, that all of us have something of "ultimate concern" or something of worth at the center of our lives. For some it is our job, for others it is a certain sport/event, for others it is relationships.
Worship reminds us that the center of our lives is God who comes to us in the form of Jesus. God takes on human flesh. Such an action reminds us that God understands and experiences all the joy and pain that comes with this life. Jesus joyfully ate and drank. Jesus cared deeply for people and healed people. Jesus faced desertion and betrayal. Jesus even suffered death. Worship proclaims that death is never the last word. There is life and light that comes in our relationship with God at the center.
It is the prayer of those who plan worship that the prayers, singing and sermon somehow, through the mystery of God, connect us to God.
Remember one of Isaiah's vision and calling was in the temple. Isaiah responded to God by saying "here I am, send me." Isaiah encountered God in a life changing way. It is appropriate to end Isaiah with worship, which is where is calling first began. Worship is where we begin, where we can say, "Here I am, with all my joy, hopes, uncertainties and concerns." And worship sends us out to live each day with that truth.
May these encounters with Isaiah help us to remember God's presence in our life. May our worship moments connect us to traces of God's grace every Sunday.
Blessings!
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