9.11.2006

Next Door Worship

I love mountains. I mean, who doesn't? Unless of course they're ocean lovers, in which case they can still do water sports on big lakes like Lake Tahoe CA, my new beloved home away from Colorado home. There's nothing we can't do here (except maybe surf and hope for a job with Bubba Gump Shimp Company).

It's easy to worship when we're in nature . . . majestic mountains, towering waterfalls, comedic ocean life. . . and the people who are the kind to validate God's existence are those that have no problem seeing God's presence in it. We can't forget that God reveals hiimself on a mountaintop all through Scripture. But I'm afraid I'm missing a grave truth beginning in Genesis that continues on through eternity. Yes, God began creating nature on the very first day--a preliminary of sorts (not that God's preliminary is anything short of perfect). But the grand finale? The creation that probably stopped all the animals in their tracks? (And at that time, probably b/c they were amazed and not scared). Man. Woman. People. Us.

Sadly, I've had a history of seeing God's majesty only in the outdoors. And I don't know of too many people who escape nature to find God in the city. I think I need to start reminding myself that I don't have to go anywhere but right next door to my apartment neighbors to learn something new and exciting about God. I might learn that God suddenly had a creative urge to make a freckled, red headed girl who has an obsession with hamsters and decided that at the same time, he would give her parents that are allergic to them but love their girl too much so they're sneezing every five minutes and have kleenex boxes sitting every five feet in the house, and all because of the five hamsters rolling along in balls everywhere. . . it could happen.

I could also learn that God has a tendency to put people in our lives that reflect our own problems, and somehow, when we reach out to them, we end up becoming stronger as they help us and we help them. Then, maybe people are the better reason to worship.

4 comments:

Jody said...

I know a little of what you mean. I just came back from a trip to the mountains that was not as relaxing and reflective as I'd hoped. I was looking to find God up there, but He is with me at all times. I appreciate your thoughts here.

Jody said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

maybe that's what jesus was getting at when he said...

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me."

in loving people and really taking the time to see people, we are loving Him and worshipping Him.

i just posted something similar recently: http://www.xanga.com/SatiricalSymphony/526793206/item.html

Jody said...

Hi Amy,
I found your site while browsing related topics (I think we like the same music). I liked your posts so I wanted to drop a note.
ANyway, Genesis is a part of Twin Lakes in Aptos (Santa Cruz). I just started going a couple months ago. Before that I was going to Calvary Chapel. I've never gone to Santa Cruz Bible or Vintage Faith but I know people who go there/ have gone there. I've had some good discussions with people from there.
Genesis, as a body, was recently taken over by Charlie Broxton. The former pastor, Andy, went on to start a new church at the Rio Theater. Are you familiar with Santa Cruz?
Thanks, for stopping by and leaving a comment!