There are those that LOVE the Container Store. This place has basket, drawer, cubby, shelf, or rack that will transform any space into an organized and efficient space. Those that flock to this store either are desperate for more space or organization, or both. The miracle of the Container Store products is that it provides, “a place for everything and everything in it’s place.” When done, everything is put away and everything is in it’s own separate space.
In my life, I tend to live life like I have shopped at the Container Store since I tend to put different areas of my life into it’s own space. The problem is that this also tends to separate the different areas of life and allows us to “compartmentalize” and we end up living and acting differently in our different “compartments.” I will act differently while at a sporting event than I would at church which is different than when I am at work with co-workers.
Now some of this is only natural, as the preacher would probably not appreciate me standing up before his 2nd point and yell, “come on Eddie, knock this one out of the park, you are due!!!” Where I really tend to “compartmentalize” my life is in worship. I love, and fully engage in the singing at church, even though some may not appreciate the tone, but I love that kind of worship. That is the easy one. Where I find it harder to worship is while doing the dishes or taking out the trash, or exercising. However, I think that is exactly what God is asking of us when Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Lets take a closer look at what God is wanting to empower us to do in Romans 12:1. Paul starts with the motivation, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy”. What He wants us to do is not always pleasant or fun, although some times it is, but Paul is asking us to respond because we have escaped what we deserve, because Christ suffered for us and took our punishment instead of it being done to us. This is at the heart of why we follow Jesus and we are willing to deny ourselves in that following.
Now Paul states what he is calling is to do, “to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” He does not say to come and sing as your act of worship, nor to give money as your worship, Paul tells us that we need to present our bodies, and I can only assume that he also means everything your body does. Worship in your eating, worship in doing the laundry, worship while playing ultimate frisbee, worship while sending text messages, worship while taking tests at school, “whatever you do” do it as worship unto the Lord Most High because he loved you so much and poured Mercy all over you.
This concept hit home for me when I was walking on a treadmill one day. I always have a plan for my workouts (when I do them) and so one day I did 20 minutes on a stair climber, and then I was going to do 40 minutes on a treadmill. This was my normal plan, but I never made the full 40 minutes. There was always a reason to quit early. One day God planted a thought that I could worship God by working out, but that would mean not quitting. I made the full workout and have done much better since then as I see that working out “well” is a way to worship.
Now you all know me well enough to know that clearly I have a long way to go before I can say that I do “all things well.” I am grateful that God continues to mold and make me more like Him a bit more each week and month. Because of this, I try to worship God with all my activity and all I do out of the gratitude I have for what He saved me from.
Lets make sure we don’t limit our concept of worship to the container of church singing. Rather lets be unorganized and have our worship all over our lives like our stuff is all over our rooms!!! 😉
Letters from a Fathers Heart 