Soon we will be assembling a few people to start the discussion on how to properly and safely come together once again for worship (if you would like to be a part of this group, call the office). No matter the process, “church” will look different, but it won’t be anything we can’t overcome. In this waiting period, we have discovered many things that we have found useful ways to worship and go about the church business. Our virtual Sunday worship has gone so well that we’re talking constantly about how to make it even better and we intend, in some form, to continue even after everyone is back together again. We’ve bought new equipment which should enhance the quality and we’re looking at ways to better glorify God in the process.
Our Leader Team meetings, Bible studies, and fellowship times have all gone well over the internet. It could never replace being together, but it’s been surprisingly fulfilling too. In fact, attendance in these Bible studies has been greater over the internet than when we were getting together. I guess it’s the added time everyone has been gifted but I hope it continues when we come together again. Meetings over the internet have gone so well, in fact, that we plan to continue them in some form. What is paramount is that we continue to worship God in any way we can and if the internet has to be the place, so be it.
So, yes, we have been challenged to worship God in different ways, but it has worked to His glory. We have proven that, just because we can’t come together in worship, worship and praise will survive. Even as we are stuck at home we can follow the section of scripture in Psalm 95:6 that says, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before our Lord, our Maker.” Even stuck in our homes we can make every task, every decision an opportunity to worship our Lord. You can still find connection through prayer and relationship through the Word. You can still knell before the Lord and sing your praises. You can still “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1)
So, I challenge you in this time of quarantine to find new ways to worship God. Find fresh opportunities to “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth” (Isaiah 12:5). Find worship muscles you never knew you had, lose yourself occasionally in prayer, thank God through your actions and remember Him in your prayers. “Through (Jesus) then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of the lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:15-16). Please pray with me:
Heavenly Father, we are so amazed at all You have done to bring Your people together, even as we are forced to stay apart. Thank you for allowing us to worship you in new and exciting ways and challenge us to find even more things we can do which will bring you glory. Protect us as we transition back and keep us safe in mind and body. Help us to carry on in our worship with new eyes and a renewed spirit. Amen.
