Worship

I'm back!  So I had small freak-out a moment ago when I saw that there had been 15 views of my page since I put it up last week.  One thing I forgot to mention in my first post is that this blog is actually an assigment for class, so It's not all-together voluntary that I'm writing it.  So the fact that 15 humans--with brains, and opinions, and probably the ability to spot an illerate moron--had viewed my page was a little jarring.  It's a small condolence, though, that at least 10 of those views were probably myself checking in to see if all was quiet on my blog front.

This week I read about worship.  I was then given the task of utilizing what I read and putting it into practice, then blogging about it (that will be the way things run with this thing).  Sounds easy, right?  Think again.

My plan was to get to bed at a decent time, get up relatively early, and spend the morning preparing myself for worship on Sunday morning.  I would put everything on the back-burner and focus on my time with God.  That plan fizzled about as soon as it was made.  I did not get to bed at a decent time, and I woke up with just enough time to stuff my face with a Pilsbury cinnamon roll and get out the door.  Not to mention, a second didn't pass when I woke up before I remembered a philosophy paper that was due the next day.  A philosophy paper, people!  And I hadn't even started!  So once I got to the worship service my mind was not at peace.  I had thoughts of that paper running through my mind, the distraction of the people around me, and an occational realization that I was supposed to meet God here.  Do you ever have it when you're trying to get yourself focused on something but the only thing you're focused on is trying to get focused?  Just me?  Okay.  Needless to say, my worship experience this Sunday was distracted, frazzled, and definelty not organic. 

It is in light of this epic fail that I'm giving myself a new challenge.  First, to write down all of my assignments!  That might help with the challenging part of my challenge, which is this: to prepare myself for worship and being ready to experience an organic encounter with God.  Second time's the charm, right?

Setting the Tone

The only thing that took longer than making this first post was coming up with a name for my blog.  I'm the kind of gal that jumps at the chance to put a cute, or witty, or pun-filled name on something much to the chagrin of you pun-haters out there.  But the nature of this blog--tracking my spiritual journey and relaying the triumphs and pitfalls to the world--made me want to set the tone of what I hope this blog to be.  I decided to turn to a passage of Scripture that has been a source of encouragement during those miry pit days.  How appropriate for a spiritual blog!  Here's the verse:

"22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]?26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaventhat will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 Luke 12:  22-34

Sorry for the hefty amount of Scripture, but I consider this whole excerpt to be relevant.  As you follow my story you will learn that I'm a worrier--big time.  My worry, which ultimately escalates into anxiety, has played a leading role in my spiritual journey until this point and I have reason to believe that it will continue to play a role.  Reading this passage over and over on nights when sleep was a desire, but not an option, really engraved it into my heart.  But honest reflection prompts me to admit that most days I don't fully trust God.  I forget that I am part of his flock.  That worrying can't add even an hour to my life.  I forget that I am clothed in his splendor.  Through the weeks of spiritual discipline to come, my wish is that I grow closer to the one that clothes me--literally and spiritually.  And if you ever want see my ears perk up, talk about clothes--especially ones from the greatest "designer" of them all (get it?...designer?...clothes? HAHA)