I have a treat for you today. Every Sunday morning, I wake up with an email from our Worship Arts Director in my inbox. One of the things that I love about Josh is the way he loves people with his words. An artist through and through, Josh shepherds his team of artists with grace and an earnest heart for the Lord. Today's post is a recent devotion Josh shared with his team to prepare them to lead with hearts set on the Lord. I think there is a lot here for us to ponder how we prepare our hearts for the Lord's Day.
Looking to him, John
In high school, I swam competitively. The day before a swim meet was "holy." Some would say, more holy than the meet itself. From the second I woke up to the moment my head hit the pillow, I was 'in the zone.' Even though I was present for class and for conversations, I wasn't, not really. I was at the meet. I was in the pool. I was pulling my strokes. There were nerves in that place, excitement, expectation. At practice that night, we wouldn't go as hard; we would go for a longer distance to boost the stamina of our lungs. And at dinner, mom would make spaghetti, and plate after plate, I would cram those serpentine noodles down my gullet—fuel for the coming hours, minutes, seconds. And then, before falling asleep, I'd visualize the race, start to finish, and in the darkness and silence of my room, I would celebrate.
That's how I treat my Saturdays now. "Holy." As holy as Sundays. Yes, we should treat every day as sacred in our walk with Christ; this is true. But I think it is especially true for us, as servants of the Triune God, to be holy and blameless, and intentionally so, on Saturdays. Solomon in Ecclesiastes tells us to guard our steps when we go to the house of God (Eccl. 5:1). "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God (Eccl. 5:2)." We should be quicker to listen than to speak as we prepare our fruit for the Lord. And while we listen, we should be ready to obey. "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). Your heart is your fruit, your soul. And since God knows what's on your heart, don't heap up empty promises that you won't be able to make good on (Matt. 6:7-8).
So, how does God want us to obey as we prepare for Him?
Ponder Him and His ways. Instead of spending hours binge-watching television shows, swiping up and down on your phone, and stuffing your face full of junk food, use your Saturday to cleanse your temple (1 Cor. 6:19). Repent of what needs repenting. You cannot approach the throne of God to worship Him if there's disarray in your heart (Matt. 5:23-24). This is good practice. So then, if your attention is on anything other than the Spirit of the Living God, anything other than the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, then your gift of worship is tarnished. There is no salt in it. And as Jesus tells us, once a thing has lost its saltiness, its use has run its course (Matt. 5:13).
Wait on things that can wait. Susan's ball game is not something that can wait. If you're having trouble breathing, go to the ER. You know what I'm speaking about. Get a good night's rest. Pray plenty. Contemplate the good work the Lord is preparing. And no matter in what way, what capacity you've been called to serve in the morning, your first and foremost priority is to come to the altar unblemished, as Christ did so for His bride (Eph. 5:27). Be then, my friends and family, of sober mind; be at peace.
The Lord has gone ahead of you. Give Him praise for that. Give Him honor. Give Him your best.
May He bless you and keep you as you guard your temple unto Him.
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Photo by Rinke Dohmen on Unsplash