Exuberant Worship

Exuberant Worship

True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

John 4:23

I was a pastor in a small country church in South Africa. We had spent two hours in a praise-and-worship service one Sunday evening, so when Monday morning came, I felt spiritually drained and a little grumpy.

That morning as I was having my daily devotions out in the garden, the Lord and I enjoyed an interesting conversation.

“Morning, Lord,” I commenced. “Since last night’s service I’ve been wondering about this eternity business. People often ask, ‘What will we do in eternity?’ I usually reply with the stock answer, ‘We will spend our time praising and worshiping God.’ But, Lord, after last night’s session, I’m seriously wondering whether I could even spend a single day praising and worshiping. All this hand raising and clapping stuff! Lord, is that what it’s really going to be about?”

I half expected a stiff clout around the ear from the Lord. Instead, his reply was so gracious and gentle. “I understand that you must be a bit worn out, son! But tell me, what would you like to do for eternity?”

I thought about that for a while and then replied, “Well, Lord, you know how much I love gardening. If there is one thing that would give me real pleasure, it would be to work in your glorious heavenly garden. Then I could look forward to discovering your marvelous purposes for every living thing. I mean, Lord, why did you create snails, mosquitoes, and ticks?”

I sensed the Lord chuckle as he replied, “And what will you do, son, when I show you that I even have a good purpose for snails, mosquitoes, and ticks?”

“Why, Lord, I would just jump in the air and shout for joy, ‘Hallelujah! Isn’t God great!’”

There was a poignant silence. I sensed the Lord smile. “I call that worship, my son!”

—Gerald McCann

Lord, teach us to worship you as we enjoy the majesty of your creation all around us. Amen.