I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
Psalm 122:1
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
Psalm 122:1
This verse of Scripture is found in a portion of God's word known as the Psalms of Ascent. This is one of the songs that God's people sang and prayed as they made their way up to Jerusalem. They were on their way to the temple for the purpose of worship. As they journeyed, they sang and prayed as a group - and this song (Psalm 122) joyfully celebrated the gift of worship.
It was no easy thing to go to Jerusalem. In fact, it would have been much easier not to go. Many people traveled a far distance, and the trip was costly, inconvenient, and dangerous. The rest of life had to be put on hold so that this journey could happen. And I suspect that many people would have simply stayed home - except for the fact that they found this time of meeting God captivating, life-giving, momentous, and utterly essential for their survival.
Nothing would have kept them away from their time with God.
It was no easy thing to go to Jerusalem. In fact, it would have been much easier not to go. Many people traveled a far distance, and the trip was costly, inconvenient, and dangerous. The rest of life had to be put on hold so that this journey could happen. And I suspect that many people would have simply stayed home - except for the fact that they found this time of meeting God captivating, life-giving, momentous, and utterly essential for their survival.
Nothing would have kept them away from their time with God.
I thought about that passion for worship today during our service at Hopevale in Saginaw. As I made my way toward the worship center, I thought about how easy it was for me to be there. My presence in worship today did not require anything that was costly, inconvenient, or dangerous. I knew that I needed to worship - and I knew that I wanted to worship - and following through on that desire was not difficult at all.
While our worship service was happening, my mind kept drifting to Molly. At the very same time we were worshiping in Saginaw, Molly was making her way to her church in New York City. For some reason, she feels drawn to worship with a church on the Upper West Side. Granted, there are churches that are closer to her school. But she is finding a home at Redeemer Presbyterian Church. I'm not sure what will happen with her church attendance once winter comes, but for now Molly has been worshiping in the city every Sunday.
For her, this is what that means: a two-mile walk to the train station, a thirty-minute ride on the train, a transfer at Grand Central Terminal from the train to the subway shuttle to Times Square, a change to another subway line that heads north, and a ten-block walk from the subway station to the gathering place. And then, of course, to get back home, Molly does that entire thing in reverse.
Again, Molly could worship closer to her school. But she feels led to make this weekly journey - at least for now. And that trip demands planning, expense, and inconvenience. Yet, if you were to ask her about her times of worship, she would tell you that they are priceless and life-giving. She wouldn't talk about the sacrifice; she would talk only about the joy of meeting God.
I had a similar experience when I was in college. I will simply say that the commitment to worship on Sunday morning is seriously challenged when that commitment requires the use of public transit! I remember getting up early on Sunday morning and navigating weather and buses to get to worship. There weren't many people out at that time of day. And most students saw Sunday morning as a great time to catch some extra sleep. Honestly, I didn't get to worship every Sunday. But I knew that worship was something I needed - and something I wanted - and I did the best that I could.
And, yes, what I recall now is not the sacrifice that was required to get there. What I recall is the joy of being with God's people in the presence of God. I was so grateful for the chance to worship and I was so grateful to be part of the community of faith.
Why bother going all the way to Jerusalem? The people could have worshiped God at home.
Why bother gathering for worship today? We can worship God without ever setting foot in a church building.
Why bother?
Well, we won't - unless we see worship as something crucial, necessary, indispensable for life. And once we see worship for what it is, nothing will keep us away.
Not even train trips and subway rides.
While our worship service was happening, my mind kept drifting to Molly. At the very same time we were worshiping in Saginaw, Molly was making her way to her church in New York City. For some reason, she feels drawn to worship with a church on the Upper West Side. Granted, there are churches that are closer to her school. But she is finding a home at Redeemer Presbyterian Church. I'm not sure what will happen with her church attendance once winter comes, but for now Molly has been worshiping in the city every Sunday.
For her, this is what that means: a two-mile walk to the train station, a thirty-minute ride on the train, a transfer at Grand Central Terminal from the train to the subway shuttle to Times Square, a change to another subway line that heads north, and a ten-block walk from the subway station to the gathering place. And then, of course, to get back home, Molly does that entire thing in reverse.
Again, Molly could worship closer to her school. But she feels led to make this weekly journey - at least for now. And that trip demands planning, expense, and inconvenience. Yet, if you were to ask her about her times of worship, she would tell you that they are priceless and life-giving. She wouldn't talk about the sacrifice; she would talk only about the joy of meeting God.
I had a similar experience when I was in college. I will simply say that the commitment to worship on Sunday morning is seriously challenged when that commitment requires the use of public transit! I remember getting up early on Sunday morning and navigating weather and buses to get to worship. There weren't many people out at that time of day. And most students saw Sunday morning as a great time to catch some extra sleep. Honestly, I didn't get to worship every Sunday. But I knew that worship was something I needed - and something I wanted - and I did the best that I could.
And, yes, what I recall now is not the sacrifice that was required to get there. What I recall is the joy of being with God's people in the presence of God. I was so grateful for the chance to worship and I was so grateful to be part of the community of faith.
Why bother going all the way to Jerusalem? The people could have worshiped God at home.
Why bother gathering for worship today? We can worship God without ever setting foot in a church building.
Why bother?
Well, we won't - unless we see worship as something crucial, necessary, indispensable for life. And once we see worship for what it is, nothing will keep us away.
Not even train trips and subway rides.