Sabbath Question Number 4: "How will I worship?"

Artwork by Ida Barrister

"How will I worship on the Sabbath?" This is the fourth of four questions on the topic of "rest." 

I've been thinking about rest since the beginning of this year. The previous three questions yielded deeply satisfying answers. Sabbath is about rest and worship. It's about stopping regular work activities, about rejoicing in God's creation and who he is. (See my previous three blog posts this month.)

The question today isn't, "Who will I worship?" That was answered before I even got into the second chapter of the Bible. It isn't, "When will I worship?" That's also a given. (BTW, I respect those who worship regularly on a Saturday, even as I rest from my work on Sundays.) Also, "Why will I worship?" is not the question for anyone who loves the Lord.

For me, worship is central to Sabbath rest. I suppose I am primarily thankful to my parents, as well as to the school where I studied. From childhood, I knew about Sabbath rest. But today, in the hurry and scurry of a busy life, and with the chance to pause during Covid-19 realities, I am deliberately stopping my regular activities.  Intentionally resting by regularly asking each of these four questions has led me to a joyful anticipation of the coming day of rest. 

I confess that I enjoy life in a local congregation. I always have, and probably that's why I became a pastor. Some have described being part of a church as "God's great mystery, and his great mess." The mystery part comes through the continued sound of instruments joining with voices. We repeat familiar, well-loved hymns and choruses. We hear the exposition of the Scriptures, and the vitality of God's Word flows through the words. What is better than congregational prayers?

The messy part of worship is hidden but, nevertheless, real. It's natural to greet (and in today's world phone or join with by Zoom) our friends and acquaintances. But the Monday-to-Saturday-life doesn't stay hidden, even on a day of rest. We know many-a-person's heartfelt sorrows. Our prayers during worship remind us of the less fortunate. Some seek help to find a rental suite, or get another meal, or arrange a funeral, or negotiate peace between quarreling neighbors. A friend asks God to give him his sight back. A young person can't find employment, and divorce is on the horizon for a friend.

This disciplined life of worship brings us together in a new family, God's children that include men and women, boys and girls. We are united in unseen bonds, spiritual, eternal, and full of hope. Worship adds an unseen dimension, not only to the labor of our social workers but to every other profession.

So, "How will I worship?" 

I will be quiet in the presence of the Lord. I'll prepare my heart and search for hidden faults. I will join with others in today's Covid world by YouTube from my local church. I will rejoice as music fills our home all day long. And between hobbies, phone calls, a couple of walks around our neighborhood, I will be filled, once again, with the Holy Spirit giving me rest. 

Thank you, Lord, for your Sabbath rest.