Have you been there recently?

We are all created to be worshippers. Everyone worships every single day...even if the object of that worship is not God. Just look at culture - Americans (and most of the world) are consumed with all kinds of things that require their time, energy, relationships, and especially money. Some of these things are good; some are evil. I find it interesting, too, that when someone is worshipping, he or she almost always leaves with a sense of wanting more.

Take a family vacation for example. I LOVE the Colorado Rocky Mountains--I put pictures of them as my desktop on my computer and could flip through these pictures in wonder and awe for hours. That is a form of worship (actually towards God and his creation)...but it's not enough, is it? I would never get my family together around the computer screen for our vacation and campout in the living room all week as we look at the beautiful mountain pictures. Of course not! We want to experience it. Looking at photographs of Pike's Peak and standing at the summit are two completely different things, even though you are essentially seeing the same thing. The first makes you say "wow--that's beautiful"...the latter takes your breath away. One is very temporary, one burns into the fabric of your mind as you remember the view, the feel of the breeze, the smell of the fresh mountain air...and the joy of experiencing it with your family. Also, when you look at a photo...you typically don't say, "I CAN'T WAIT to see that picture again." When you experience the greatness of the real, true mountains, you never want to leave. But if you have to--you already begin to plan when you can go back! So we save and sacrifice all the time and money in order to get the experience vs. the lifeless photo.

Here is my point: When we worship in the church setting with songs, communion, preaching, etc...I believe it is possible to simply attend, go through the motions, and leave--possibly impressed, but unchanged. We simply look at the "photos" that we've seen before, do our duty as a Christian, and maybe even enjoy it temporarily. I also believe that in the same church, the same service, with the same songs, communion, preaching, etc...that you can have a true, real experience. It's not a picture of Jesus from 2,000 years ago with blue eyes and long, flowing hair...but Jesus actually shows up. His Spirit is felt, and Scripture says that worship is to God like a fragrant aroma! There is a joy as we are with the family, and when we expect to experience God--it will absolutely transform you, your family, and our church! I can't imagine how cool it would be to go to the rockies every week! God is fresh and new and relevant and alive! He is incredible, and too often we miss the relationship - the reality of an experience with Him.

Last thing--when I get home from a vacation to Colorado - I show pictures, I reminisce, I tell stories, I encourage people to visit the places I visited, and I am simply and unashamedly excited about my experience. So I want to ask you, worshipper...have you been there recently?