I know, I know...we don't have pews, but "View from the Padded Chair" just doesn't have the same ring to it:) I'm guessing I won't always have something to share about my Sunday morning worship experience--and hey, I'd love for someone else to share if the Holy Spirit moves!--but, when I do feel so led, I plan to share with you all. Blessings to you all!
~Jen
We were late to worship this morning. I could blame it on a number of things, but it wouldn't change the outcome. We roared down the gravel driveway at 9:58 AM and rushed into church. I dropped off the girls while Charlie settled our boy into his class. By the time we reached the sanctuary, everyone was already seated and on song #2--we were officially tardy and there was no hope of finding seats unnoticed. Charlie was asked to help serve communion, so he had to linger in the back. I tried to quietly scope out two seats that wouldn't be terribly disruptive to climb into...no luck. Every seat I noticed was land-locked, so-to-speak, so I hung in the back for a moment. Thankfully, a few of the men broke out extra chairs and formed new rows for the half dozen of us who had arrived late. I sat down and began to enjoy worship.
Usually when we sit near the back, worship feels a little quieter because there are fewer people singing behind us. This morning, it was different. The back of the sanctuary was lined with a dozen or so men waiting to serve communion. There were singing beautifully, filling in the typically quiet space. I appreciated their offering and how it rounded out my own personal worship experience.
Later in the day I started thinking again about those men and their singing. I started thinking about how they had been asked to serve, were waiting to serve, wanting to serve...and while they waited, they worshipped. It wasn't distracting, didn't draw attention away from the Lord, but they sang to the One they were about to serve. It made me think about my own servanthood: Do I sing as I serve?
It's a good question for me, personally. I have come to understand that I have the gift of helps. I like to be helpful, meet needs, be available. But do I worship as I serve? When I am waiting to give, meet needs, help--do I sing to the One I am about to serve?
I don't think that I always do that. But I want to. I want to remember to worship and offer praise before and as I am serving. I want to remember that serving is less important than the One I serve.
This will help:
Make a joyful shout to the Lord all ye land
Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing.
I know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His gates with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100
