Showing Up To Worship

Here in New England, winter is a very beautiful season, but can also be a very frustrating one.

The gentle fall of snowflakes, the white blanket God places over all nature, are wonderful reminders to slow down, enjoy the comforts of home, and just take each moment as it comes.

Yet at the same time, unpredictable weather causes a lot of stress. We make plans, and have to change them. The simple tasks of daily life seem to require too much effort. The mere thought of cleaning off the car, shoveling and salting the driveway, and putting on layers of warm clothes is exhausting. As a result, human interaction becomes less and less frequent and we begin to feel isolated. We begin to feel like we’re in a rut.

Case in point: it is now the second Sunday in a row that we have cancelled worship because of a snowstorm. This is the safest choice to make for everyone, keeping vehicles off the roads so that they can be safely plowed and treated. And it gives us some peace of mind, knowing we don’t have to rush to clear off our driveway and somehow make our way to the church in the storm. 

Yet at the same time, it creates a void. The church, as the gathered body of believers, relies on human interaction and connection to survive. How is that to happen if worship cannot take place on Sunday morning as planned?

The other day, I went to the home of a beloved shut-in member of our church. I try to make a regular habit of visiting folks that can’t get out to church, to help them feel connected. While I was there, several other church members showed up unexpectedly. We talked about many things, and before long, we were all enjoying a wonderful hymn-sing and prayer time together. It was a meaningful and inspirational worship service which I did not plan at all. But God did.

Yesterday, I met with a young man who has many musical gifts that he desires to share with our congregation. My husband and a dear friend also happened to be at the church to help me with some car problems. We ended up enjoying a fun “jam” session with the piano and some drums, worshipping the Lord in song. Again…this was a worship service which I did not plan at all. But God did.

Afterwards, we joined Sandy Bartholomew at her open studio. Guy and I are not gifted with crafts, but we did our best and had fun. It was also a wonderful time of fellowship with Sandy and (briefly) Lilah. This again, was a worship service which I did not plan at all. But God did.

It’s clear to me that God sent me these unplanned worship opportunities throughout the week because He had a message for me. 

The best worship services are not the ones that we plan. They are the ones that God plans.

All God asks of us is to show up with hearts ready to worship Him. And He is the one who makes it happen.

So no matter where you are or what you might be doing, show up ready to worship. When helping out with community organizations and events, show up ready to worship. When a friend drops by for a cup of coffee, show up ready to worship. When you’re in a hospital or the waiting room of a doctor’s office, show up ready to worship.

It is important for us to gather on Sunday mornings when we can. But let’s not forget that worship can happen anywhere, anytime.

We just have to be ready, and allow the Lord to do the planning.

In God’s Love,

Pastor Amy