“Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher). Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned o the Father.’” (John 20:15-17).
Tonight I walked my way to worship.
I could have run there, but if you lived where I live you’d understand the reasons behind my walking. It’s hot here. Finding an ounce of desire for the pavement beneath my feet in this type of inclement weather is a difficult obedience. But does that mean I shouldn’t try … shouldn’t step out into the day’s sweltering confinement in hopes of finding a few minutes of solitude with my King?
Not at all. If “heat” was an ample excuse for my not moving outside the comforts of my air-conditioned life, my flesh and my faith would have long since grown stale with neglect. Heat doesn’t warrant my complacency. Heat simply requires I step up my will in the matter. It means I choose to walk it through on days when I’d rather stay inside. Staying inside keeps me as I am. Moving beyond the parameters of my comfort forces the issue of my growth.
Thus, I laced up my shoes and headed outdoors this evening to walk with Jesus. He met me there. He always does. I don’t know why it’s easier for me to find him on the road rather than other places in my life. Perhaps because I’ve grown to expect him there. Perhaps because he’s grown to expect me. Either way, when my obedience melds with his presence, sacred ground is walked. It is the purest form of worship I know.
Worship. A big word; an even bigger endeavor. We make it so hard by turning it into a prescribed set of steps to get there when all we really need to make it happen is us and our Creator.
Worship is a mutual endeavor between two hearts—ours and God’s. It happens when he recognizes us by name, and we recognize him by his. When we stand face to face without the obstruction of the world’s distractions and connect with him as one. When we’re stripped naked of all pretense and aren’t ashamed of the glances he cast in our direction. When we look into his eyes and see the reflection of ourselves staring back. When understanding is clear and right and good, therefore casting all of our questions into the shadows of his illuminating truth.
That’s worship for me, and when it happens, I, like Mary, want to grab hold of my Savior and not let go. The hem of his garment is a sweet embrace and a good place to linger … especially in the heat.
If anyone understood the pressures of “heated obedience”, it was Mary–a woman in search of Jesus following his death on the cross. The last few days of her life offered her ample reason to stay inside. Three days earlier, the temperature in Jerusalem was exponentially elevated because of the crucifixion of her Lord. Her Teacher. Her Rabonni. She could have mourned him privately … could have stayed inside, salving her wounded heart with tears that rained diligently and painfully upon her grief. Instead, she chose the road to the tomb. To the one place she’d last seen him, and in doing so, received the revelation that would alter her forever.
“Mary.” …
“Rabboni.”
Mutual recognition between two hearts.
Pure, untainted worship between a sinner and her Savior.
For that kind of moment, friends, I’ll walk some “heat” … again and again and again because I know he’s waiting for me on the road as I am faithful to come. He’s waiting for you too. In fact, he’s summoned you by name. Are you willing, this day, to summon him by his?
Worship with him fearlessly. Worship with him passionately. Worship with him tenderly, knowing that your name is on his lips and that your life is engraved in the very palm of his hands.
As always,
Great post. Great song. Thanks.
Worship is constantly on my mind. I'm always wondering how to engage more, help others get there, and live life in constant worship. SO, thank you for you beautiful words.
I hadn't heard this song… favorite line "take my life from me". So true – I'm always thinking this life is mine… yet it never was, never has been!
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! Thank you for starting my day off in such an inspiring way!
I recently taught a S.S. class on discipleship; one of the components of true discipleship is giving complete control over to Him. (and then giving Him 110%!) Our salvation was costly for our Saviour and it will often be costly for us to be a true disciple. I had never heard that song and I need to make it my prayer today–to allow Him to take my life from me and use it as He chooses. Thank you for this post. Donna
wifeforthejourney:
How my flesh longs for comfort and a life of ease….but is ease what we've been called too? Thanks for your continued exhortation in my life to encourage me to "lace up my shoes" and walk out my worship. Pursuit of God seems to have so many obstacles in my flesh – to "busy" to pray – to tired for devotions at the night's end. How many excuses have I ever come up with for avoiding the sacrifice of praise? And yet, its just what I need to start my day.
Heading to the sanctuary to start my day, see you this afternoon!
Love,
Billy
I am so with you. Jesus and I walk every morning and I think that it is just the sweetest time. It is much more difficult for me to sit in a chair and pray than it is for me to walk and talk to Him. I think He enjoys the exercise as much as I.
Worship–there are so many ways to do it. I'm thankful God is not legalistic about how we do it. He allows us the individuality that we need in worship. Praise Him.
Leah
Elaine…………
I'm like you…with the post from sassy ganny…only I'm inspired by Yahweh via your post… I'll be joining you in worship.
See my blog for my worship post… May we all be unified in our worship to God. Praise to the KING of KINGS & LORD of LORDS!
Beautiful and luminous post!! Such an encouragement to make this journey of worship a priority.
p.s. baby is born! :o) thanks for the prayers
powerful. Beautiful. Stepping outside of my air conditioned life will stick with me for awhile. Have to tweet this post too. Wow.
What a lovely, compelling prequel (or post script) to my own thoughts on worship. I'm right there with you!
"When we look into his eyes and see the reflection of ourselves staring back."
That still has the power to catch my breath away. His eyes.
My oh my …
Hugs,
Kathleen
So VERY powerful. Gotta get out of my air-conditioned life.
This really is a good complement to Sassy's post! God must be wanting to get this truth across to us. This was written beautifully Elaine! Thank you!
Christy
Oh my, what an incredible song!!!
I need to get that CD now.
Worship is a mutual endeavor between two hearts—ours and God’s.
I love meeting God outside too. Seeing Him in all His splendor.
Great post Elaine.
Gosh, ever considered using your posts for a "devotional"?
Blessings♥
My name on His lips — I love that thought. Hard to imagine what it will be like one day when we actually hear His voice audibly. Wow…
While I was reading I couldn't help but think of a spiritual the old folks used to moan in my father's church:
'I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
While I'm on this pilgrm journey,
I want Jesus to walk with me'
Let the HEAT be in my HEART, Lord.
Let me not be lukewarm in the faith (Rev. 3:16) but ablaze in worship.
As usual, I'm inspired by your walk of faith.
I feel the "heat" here … You're "on fire" for God.
Got to go put on my walking shoes!
Beautiful! What a perfect way to worship! Meeting Him! Knowing He's waiting!
Have a wonderful Thursday evening, dear friend!
Blessings to you,
Andrea
So glad you have that place…on the road…where you and your Lord meet so easily!! I love that.
Beautiful…