Psalm 150 

¹ Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
² Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
³ Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
⁴ Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
⁵ Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
⁶ Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

I love the Caribbean Sea.

I love peering through the circular cabin window as the aircraft prepares for landing. I love snapping photos of the sun’s rays illuminating the turquoise water and multi-colored coral reefs below. I love the warm tropical breeze that smacks my face as we climb down the rickety stairs and onto the jet way that leads to the tiny airport terminal. Like a little girl, I can barely contain my excitement as we wait at baggage claim, pick up the rental car, and make our way through the rainforest to the hotel. As much as I appreciate a signature resort, it pales in comparison to the white sandy beach and crystal-clear water that beckons my soul as we FINALLY check in, get changed into our swimsuits, and make our way to my happy place.

I’ve seen the Caribbean from air and land, but I’m no longer satisfied just looking at it as a one-dimensional photograph. I’m no longer satisfied to just sit on the beach. I’m no longer satisfied to just walk along the seashore. I’m no longer satisfied to just stick my toes in the shallow water. I MUST go all the way in! I MUST swim in the deep blue sea. And, I MUST put on my snorkel gear to behold all the beauty that waits below the surface.

Did I mention, I love the Caribbean Sea?

Did I also mention, I love to worship?

I’m a vocalist, who’s married to a drummer, who has a daughter that writes music on the piano. Notes and sounds and rhythm and lyrics move my soul. I worship the Lord through music alone; in and outside our home, in small groups, in worship services, and in arenas packed with thousands of people.

I’ve worshipped with those who play their trumpet, piano, guitar, drums, and those who dance, clash symbols and clap their hands. I’ve worshipped with those who stand like impenetrable coral reef, satisfied at observing the praises of men to their God as they swim in His love. I’ve worshipped with those who peer through their circular cabin window, satisfied at being 30,000 feet below heaven. I’ve worshipped with those who snap photos of the worship team, satisfied with idolizing their talent. I’ve worshipped with those who ride the manifest presence of God, satisfied with never getting out of their vehicle. I’ve worshipped with those who stand on the beach, satisfied with never touching the water that promises eternal and abundant life.

I’ve been that kind of worshipper.

Shallow.

Dissatisfied.

But I’m no longer satisfied with peering out the window, snapping photos, feeling the breeze, and carrying my bags to the same hotel just to sit on the beach and look at the water. Like the woman at the well (John 4), Jesus beckoned me to drink deeply from His living water. He knew that Jacobs well would satisfy my body, but it would never satisfy my soul. As we’ve talked, the Lord has redirected my focus from the shallow worship offered in Jerusalem, to the deep praise of the Father offered in my heart.

Jesus can do the same for you.

Grab your empty pitcher.

Meet Him at the Caribbean well.

He’s waiting for you.

Sit and have a chat.

He wants to fill your heart to overflowing,

because the Father is still looking for those who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth.