Attending Church is a healthy habit. It keeps the rhythm of reverence and worship paramount in our lives. But, what are we to do when we can’t meet together? It can be very easy to fall out of the “habit” and lose the heartbeat of worship in your life. Here are some ways to keep worship in focus when many things in life are quite “blurry”.
Reflect On The Importance and Uniqueness Of Worship
God made a very special and different day for worship. He instituted it with Creation. He called it the Sabbath. One day in every seven was to be unlike any other day. God gave this to mankind as a Gift.
Exodus 16:29 (NLT) They must realize that the Sabbath is the LORD’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.”
The nation of Israel treated the Sabbath very much like we do. They treated it like any other day. But, God intends that our lives have rhythms of time that are unlike the rest. We may not practice the Sabbath as Old Testament saints did. But we are blessed with worship and reverence that is different from every other part of our lives.
Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV) So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
So… This is REALLY important. This isn’t just a coffee break during our week. This is a DESPERATE need God created within us. We need to connect with Him and with others in a very different and special way.
Take a real 24-hour sabbath
My personal recommendation is from 6:00 pm – 6:00 pm. I believe it is important to start in the evening. This gives our subconscious mind a chance to reflect while we sleep.
It is also important to have regular time periods of your life that are God’s. They should be consecrated to Him. It is time for something very different. It should be different from our normal work and weekend activities or thoughts. So…
Don’t Do what you always do.
Make this twenty-four hour period different from the rest of your week. In other words, Turn off the phone, TV, games, and etcetera. As the old quote states, “If you do what you always do, you will get what you’ve always got.”
Certainly, there are things we do every day that won’t change. But, our intention with those things can change. We can intend everything for worship. We can intend eating, walking, talking, family and everything else as acts of worship. We can do that when we…
Be still.
Our minds are often so preoccupied. Corralling our thoughts is work and takes practice. Stillness is as simple as thinking about God, It may be gratitude that we consider as we eat, walk, talk and so on. We are so blessed to enjoy these simple activities.
Stillness is also a reflection upon God’s Story and the many beautiful ways it intersects with our own. When we read the Bible and truly reflect upon its stories, lessons, and instructions, it is much easier to consider our God. As we consider Him, His heart for us and the world becomes more clear and at times overwhelming.
Share God Stuff
We talk about news, sports and all kinds of unimportant information every day. Make this a real sabbath and real worship by having conversations about God. Share the insights that come from your stillness. Send a friend a scripture that spoke to you or a thought that God gave you. We really should talk more about God, what He is doing in our lives, and the thoughts we have about Him.
Serve Someone
Contrary to popular thought, worship isn’t about us. Not trying to be snarky, but it is an idea that needs correcting. Worship is about God and loving God always expresses itself in loving people.
There are many ways to serve others. A simple phone call, note, text, an act of service or kindness can all share the love that God has shared with us. When we share God’s gifts they are increased in our own experience.
Give
God created us to give. He loves giving through his children. It may be your church, a charity, or someone in need but it needs to be. We need to give. It has been said, “We will never lack in the things we learn to give away.”
Clearly these tips are not for the faint of heart. They are very different from the material and shortsighted priorities of the majority. But, they will make your worship significant. You will be different from most and very satisfied in the deepest, most satisfying places of your heart.
Make your “Sabbath” a unique day that breaks the mold. A day you enjoy Father God.
GRACE, Micheal