I am a M.A.F.M. student from Toledo, Ohio. I am enrolled in Spiritual Direction for the following reasons; it is a requirement and the focus is on guidance that I feel is much needed by all Christians. Listening to the Holy Spirit as it seeks to provide direction for my life is an area that needs attention on my journey. The latter reason forms the foundation for the goal and or objective for the course. Not only do I desire to listen but also to adhere to the directions of the Holy Spirit.
My Reflection on “Worship”
In his book, Calhoun says, “Everyone worships someone or something.” As I read the Scripture I found this is true. We find the worship of gods, objects, possessions and others. Some did worship God as well. In defining worship from the Scripture I will direct your attention to Psalm 71, “In thee O Lord do I put my trust.” I agree with Calhoun when she writes “True worship of God happens when we put God first in our lives” (2005, 25). In our church we sing a song with the lyrics that say, “Have thine own way Lord. Thou art the potter I am the clay.” Worship is a shaping and molding of ones life by the hands of God. As this life is being shaped and molded, God is praised in every aspect of that life.
From my early experience, worship was an in church experience. Visiting the churches of many of my friends exposed me to various types of worship services: Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic and Church of God in Christ. Growing up as a Baptist, the word worship was always tied to Sunday morning services. Worshipping God meant actively participating in the church service. There would be a devotional service, lots of singing, dancing, and praying. My mother would say, “The Holy Ghost is having its way.” There was nothing quiet about the overall worship experience. Psalm 150 was taken literally in our worship. “Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord. The volume could be turned up by a gospel song or turned down as we sang a hymn. Maturing in the spiritual aspect of my life, I came to know of personal worship as I came to know God as my personal savior. I worship God through my poetry and other inspirational writings that come from my heart. As I pen to paper his love while looking through the eyes of his creation, I find a connectedness that culminates in worship to an awesome God.
Reading Genesis 2:1-2, and Exodus 20:8-10, I see a request or instructions for all people to understand the importance of rest. Rest replenishes us and God wants us healthy as we minister to others. When I was growing up in Florida, my family kept the Sabbath holy. No work of any kind was to be done. Mother cooked the Sunday meal on Saturday and warmed it up on Sunday. Of course this was long before there were malls and stores open on Sunday. Everything and everybody seemed to slow down on Sunday. Calhoun tells us that the Sabbath is God’s way of saying, “stop” (2005, 42). Disobedience to God finds many of us before a physician saying, “stop.” I have almost perfected resting but it came after I heard my physician say, “stop.”
I envision leading a church congregation in practicing the Sabbath by a direct plea based upon the Scripture—“Rest is important because God said so.” Now, I know this isn’t enough so; I will make it a challenge or even a contest of sorts. I will ask members to try by eliminating one area of work that they currently engage in on the Sabbath. I will stress the importance of taking time to rest in general, if not on the Sabbath. This could become the precursor to Sabbath rest. Perhaps, monthly, I will encourage testimony from those who took the challenge as inspiration and motivation for others to try. In the society that we live, I think there is a feeling of guilt about taking time for one's self to rest.
Psalm of Praise to Our Creator
How awesome you are O God!
I sing your praise in the moments of each day.
As the morning sunlight kisses my cheeks, I give you praise!
Stepping into a new day with new possibilities, I give you praise!
As I behold the beauty of nature and its awesomeness, I give you praise!
Your Spirit comforts me as a mother comforts her child, for this, I give you praise!
Praise for you are the words from my mouth.
Praise for you is the light unto my pathway.
In all I do, in this marvelous garden of your creation, let your praise be forever lifted up!
I sing in a loud voice, Praise be to God!
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3 comments:
Thanks Ruby for your insightful post. How can we continue to nurture the vision of Sabbath? How can you lead, teach, and inspire others to consider the value and command of the Creator to practice the Sabbath? What values and benefits are people missing who do not practice the Sabbath? I want to prod the class to consider how Sabbath-Worship and Spiritual Direction connect.
As I stated in my post, inspiration must come from the pulpit to the pews. If Christians are not adhering to the Scriptures then we know that it takes more. An example drawn from how the church functions as a rule will provide an excellent attention getter. Pastors and leaders of congregations could use their key to the members and lock out busyness in the church, other than worship service, on the Sabbath. In my church there are Sunday programs that interrupt opportunities to rest because of a desire to support church programs.
Someone said a picture is worth a thousand words, I would say an example would fall into the same category. The benefit that may be realized from practicing Sabbath rest will become apparent as one prepares for worship and participate in worship. The energy that supports your efforts will be charged and your attention span will be lengthen. The value will be realized on an individual level as the Spirit directs. To the growth and the development of the church, rested saints may be opened to a greater commitment to discipleship. "If you are already tired from your day-to-day activities, how ready are you to take on the job of winning souls for Christ?" "While fatigued, how available are you to the prompting of the Holy Spirit?" Rest is a rejuvenator. It is priceless in kingdom work, otherwise the Creator would not have commanded us to practice it.
Ms Ruby, if it were not for the fact that your poetry writing skills are so good at honoring and glorifying God, I might be a little envious. Your Psalm was awesome.
I enjoy the ease and clarity that you bring to writing. There is something in the tone of your presention that embodies what Sabbath is about, rest. Reading your posting is relaxing.
Thank-You!
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