It occurred to me, during that venture, that there are some similarities between worship and mowing the grass. I know...my brain doesn't work like the normal person, just hang with me! So I am riding in the hot sun, around in circles. and God begins to show me some things about worship. Riding that mower was hard work...sometimes worship is, too. Sometimes we don't feel like worship. I believe the American church, for the most part, doesn't even understand what worship is, so anything we have to work for doesn't seem right. If we have to get dirty and sweaty, then it's just too hard and many times we move on to somewhere that worship seems to come more easily. Who ever told us that serving our God was supposed to be comfortable?
Riding that mower was also fun and rewarding...likewise with worship. Can I tell you that it is usually in the most uncomfortable moments that I find myself needing intimacy with God more than ever. When I push into His presence, I find that it is sweeter and more sustaining than ever. Those times are precious and I wouldn't trade them for anything.
Mowing is necessary...so is worship. We recently were away from our home for two weeks (during which it must have rained every day!) When we returned, we found our yard in dire need of a trim! I'm sure our neighbors felt the urgency of our yard's need as well! See, if we just let it go, it becomes overgrown with weeds and grass. The surrounding properties are then at risk, too, to weeds traveling to their yards. Do you know that when a Christian neglects opportunities for worship, weeds of doubt and discontent begin to grow in their lives. Other weeds, such as jealousy, rage and anger will also quickly begin to sprout. Before long our lives are so full of nasty "weeds" that they pour over to those around us. All because we refused to do this one thing that we were created to do...worship our Lord and Savior!
I hopped right on a lawn mower and mowed my yard...why? Because my wonderful husband had prepared the mower for me. Someone had to make sure the blades were in working order, the oil had been changed, the tank was full of gas, etc. When I enter into worship, whether it is at church or at home, there is preparation that has to be done. My heart must be prepared. I have to fix my mind on the Lord and many times, that means repairs or at least maintenance has to be done on my mind. When I am at church, there is a whole list of preparations that take place in order for a worship service to happen. The praise team has to practice, The technical team has to be ready. The pastor has to prepare a sermon (they don't usually just roll that off the top of their head ya know!). Someone has to keep the nursery so we can hear that sermon and be able to concentrate on what the pastor is saying. And the list goes on and on. Sometimes worship seems spontaneous, but I promise you that without preparation spontaneous worship rarely occurs. And preparation is hard work. Whether I am preparing my heart for worship at home or attending a worship service at church...preparation is a must.
After spending a few minutes on that mower, the jungle in our yard had been tamed once again and beauty was restored. That's what happens when we worship Jesus Christ! He tames the weeds...cuts them down, and beauty is restored to our lives. Worshiping Christ is what we were created to do. And when we do it, it is beautiful. It is attractive. It draws attention. It makes others want to stop and take notice. Oh Lord, let my worship be genuine. Let it be attractive to those I come in contact with. Not that they would want to come gawk at me, but that they would be drawn to you. And thank you, Lord, for the priviledge of getting to mow my grass!
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." -- John 4:23
Editor's note: I actually wrote this a couple of weeks ago but didn't post right away because it wasn't finished. Tonight, God kept me awake until I finally submitted to come finish writing this entry. Not sure why it didn't flow completely the first time, but tonight it was easy. Must have been God's timing...I'll trust that every time!
