Psalm 84-86
How
lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord
of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to
the living God. Psalm 84:1-2
I can relate to David’s words—“longing, fainting for His
courts”—“heart and flesh singing for joy to the living God.” Several years ago,
when I was a member of a church worship team, we participated in a 24-hour
worship service. Being part of the host church of a multi-church gathering, our
group led for two hours at a time, alternating between sessions of prayer and
other special music.
When I put all my strength, energy and creativity into
praising God, I felt like I was doing what I was designed for. Sometimes I long
to experience worship in that intensity again.
Recently I attended a writers meeting. An
artist/writer had us paint with watercolors, inspiring images and words. The
Spirit met us there and I realized we were worshipping in art and writing.
Again I had the feeling of being where I should be, doing what I should be
doing.
As humans, we long for fulfillment. It is right and
fulfilling for creatures to praise the Creator. He is good and worthy to be
praised. “For the Lord God is a
sun and shield; the Lord bestows
favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O
Lord of hosts, blessed is the
one who trusts in you!” (Psalm 84:11-12)
As we praise God for who He is, He speaks to us. His
glory, His essence, flows through us as we worship, obey and trust Him. Forms
of worship include music, writing, art, and poetry. In fact, with a heart and
mind centered on Him, just about anything we do can be an act of worship.
“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father
in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (John
4:23)
Let’s aim to worship Him in what we think, say, write
and do.
Connie L. Peters has 30 years of experience in writing
poetry, adult and children’s fiction and inspirational non-fiction. Currently
she writes devotions for The Presidential Prayer Team and The Pagosa Sun. She also
writes a poem a day on enthusiaticsoul.blogspot.com. Connie’s work has appeared
in numerous publications including Focus on the Family, Bible Advocate and The
Quiet Hour. She has served on the board of Southwest Christian Writers
Association for the past 20 years. Connie lives in Cortez, CO where she and her
husband host two adults with developmental disabilities. Connie and husband Loren
have two grown children who live in Arizona.
beautiful nibble
ReplyDeleteChris