Car Worship


Yesterday was Sunday – a day I typically go to church and spend a little time worshipping God with other believers.  However, yesterday I was also in Kalamazoo.  I had gone there to spend a little time with my mom and dad before heading to Nicaragua.  I also got to see my Aunt Marty and Uncle Dave, and together with cousin Katherine, her boyfriend, Keith, and my son Max – we all got to celebrate the ladies’ birthdays

For that reason, I did not go to church.  However, that doesn’t mean I didn’t worship God.

There is a story in the book of John (John 4) that talks about the time where Jesus took his group of disciples through Samaria so that he could talk to “the woman at the well.”

Now Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along, and typically would have stayed far away from one another – but Jesus went specifically to this place in order to reveal His identity and to tell the woman that it didn’t so much matter WHERE people worshipped as long as they were worshipping “in spirit and in truth”.

So, what does that mean?

I believe that worshipping “in spirit and truth” means that our worship must come from the heart and from our recognition that Jesus is who He says He is.  Worshipping “in spirit and truth” means doing so from a position of humility and sincere gratitude for His sacrifice, His unfailing love, and His provision.

So, while my morning yesterday did not include church, it DID include a rather spectacular thunderstorm – and I marveled at God’s power.  Then (because I'd talked about tulips but hadn't yet seen any) it included a trip to Holland with Max – and I was slack-jawed at the amazing variations, magnificent colors and fantastic abundance of God's beauty.  Next it included an uneventful and safe car trip home, and I thanked God for His protection.  And finally, I ended my evening home with my husband, a man who has loved me for over 40 years and who God saw fit to put back into my life just when I needed him most. 

In the end, God doesn’t care where you worship, but wherever you are, He just wants you to recognize Him for who He is.  Psalm 34:1 says it nicely:  I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

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