This morning, I had no responsibilities and no meetings so I decided to just sit in my next story for the What is Christian Discipleship series?
I have found reading the Bible story from someone else's perspective can radically change my mindset. Suddenly, what is old becomes fresh and knew.
This morning, I thought about this story from several perspectives. A friend in a far off land hearing it for the first time. A stranger grieving over all the evil happening in our culture and wanting answers. A woman feeling belittled by men because she is simply a woman. A foreigner longing for inclusion.
Oh my. Somehow this old familiar story grips my heart now.
So in case this is you. John 4:1-26 is the story of the Samaritan Woman.
God really hit me with what worship is and what it is not.
Worship IS NOT:
Focused on gender.
Focused on race.
Focused on our story.
Focused on culture or cultural debates.
Focused on a location or building.
Worship IS ABOUT:
God's living water.
Ever flowing.
Eternal life.
Thirst quenching.
Knowing who you Worship.
In Spirit.
In Truth.
The Messiah.
Going.
Testifying.
Hearing.
The Savior of the World.
Suddenly, my morning Worship in the Word was radically different than I anticipated.
Father, help me/us to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Help us to stop focusing on the things that distract us and create barriers. Help us to focus on the heart and the inward condition of our own hearts so that it is You, Jesus, who we point others to. In Jesus Name, amen.
It is so important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, so we can be transformed!
Shalom y'all!
