Well, here we are about three weeks into the coronavirus. We’re all trying to continue to figure out how to navigate life day in and day out. Some states have totally shut down such as California, New York, Illinois, and others. But as I’m sitting here on this afternoon working on this blog Florida is still allowing us to be able to get out and do some things. Now that does mean no beach, no pool, no eating out (you can still order for pickup or delivery) or shopping at the mall or most stores (you can still go the grocery). These are trying times and they are testing times but they don’t change who we are or whose we are. Why is it trying and testing? Because of it, not the way we have lived up until now. We are not accustomed to limited activity and limited access to the things we want or want to do. So what do we do? Remember, we belong to God. We are His, we’ve been bought with a price and we know that. 1 Corinthians 6:20 tells us-"For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
But what do we do in the days that will follow probably between the time that I record this and the time you get an opportunity to read it, things again may have changed. The absolutes that we might’ve known today may not be as real tomorrow. Well, from a Scriptural perspective "...glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." Now you might say I understand Pastor but isn't there more to it? Yes, there is and that is to do all the things we are directed to do to protect us from the Coronavirus. Wash your hands, cough and sneeze into your elbow, exercise with "social distancing". Several things have been on my mind and a message I’m working on for this Sunday, March 29th is about worship. It’s entitled “Worship Today”. It really is a message that talks about what true worship is but in light of where we're in our world today it takes on a different meaning.
Worship is different at least in the way we do worship. It is different than it was even a few weeks ago. Messages preached from offices or worship centers with no one there except the technical people. Recorded in advance quite often. Some are still able to do it live but that’s not always the case for everyone. But what do we do with the worship? What do we do with the opportunity to come together and worship? Whether we’re online from a distant place or in the worship center amongst friends.
It is worship when we focus our mind our hearts and our spirit on Him. Worship says that He is worthy of worship. It indicates that God deserves the worship that we focus upon Him. I will be the first to admit we don’t like having to worship the way we are now but we do know that this can change. We know that it will change. For certain we will worship differently in heaven than was here on earth. Whether with or without the coronavirus worship will be different not only here but certainly there.
However, the one we worship will always be the same. As the Word says in Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." As a believer never lose hope of the fact that He is our Savior. It was Jesus who John 4:24 says told us that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
A thought to ponder,
Elbert Nasworthy
