Agenda
It’s time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
3 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.
I met with my therapist today. I’ve been needing to for a long time, but, well, life, or….. my stubborn will just didn’t want to. He’s the perfect Therapist. Always available. Always willing to listen. Always dispenses wisdom. Always gives me practical things to do to reemphasize His plan for my life.
I sipped on my ½ regular, ½ decaf cup of coffee this morning like I usually do. I talked to the Holy Spirit about what He already knows; I’m struggling in this season. I’ve been wrestling in it for a long time. 7 years long. I’ve pleaded. I’ve whined. I’ve complained. I’ve bartered. I’ve justified. I’ve cried. I’ve thrown adult sized hissy fits. Not one of those things has led me out of the season that I’ve wanted to be over for a long time. 7 years long. So, after I finished pouring out my complaint (Psalm 142:2) again, I read another chapter of Psalms and devotions from Spurgeon, Chambers and Tozer. Then I got up to begin the practical portion of my therapy; de-cluttering and re-organizing.
I LOVE to de-clutter and re-organize our home. It helps to de-clutter my mind and re-organize my emotions. It helps me to see all that we possess and be grateful. It helps me to see what is no longer needed and to grieve the loss. It helps me to see what needs to be thrown away, so that I can embrace something new!
Let me put this right on out there: I am severely impatient. When I see a new season approaching, I want it to happen yesterday. I don’t want to wait until tomorrow. Not so ironically, I married a man who approaches life much differently. He’ll ponder and wait and wait and wait. It makes me coo coo for Cocoa Puffs! NOW is the time! No need to dilly dally in today’s season- let’s just MOVE ON! Yet, God in His infinite sense of humor has not only given me the gift of a man who changes seasons slower than I do, but He’s also given me the gift of prophesy so that I can see seasons that are coming in a long, long, time. He’s trying to teach me to be still, to know Him, to realize He has made everything for its own time. He knows His work from beginning to end. He lives outside of time, and He’s planting eternity in my heart so that I will embrace each season from heaven’s perspective.
At the end of today’s session, I heard the Spirit whisper, “it’s time to quit searching, it’s time to throw some things away.” He’s already given me the answer to my endless questions. He’s already shown me the next season, but I must wait for His time to transition into it.
In the meantime, it’s also time to take out the trash which is full of junk that nobody needs, and deliver the pile of household goods that somebody does.
Lord & Savior
Shallow Worship
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.
Heaven Come Conference, Bethel Music, 2018
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.
Heart
Deep Into the Water 