One Thousand Times More

It’s Saturday and we are getting ready for a step forward.  Punch bowl is washed, posters bought and sticky tack ready.  Tomorrow morning I’ll head out early to Donut Connection for a box of donut holes. 

For weeks now in our James class we have emphasized that the main purpose of meeting as believer is to interact with God.  The point has been made that biblical knowledge is invaluable.  It reveals the true nature of God, but if it is not translated into communion with Him it is merely pious information. 

In church meetings (at least in my circles) that interaction is usually expressed in two avenues – a spoken spontaneous prayer and the singing of hymns and songs.  Good but very limiting.  It’s one thousand times more.  Over the last few weeks we have listened, written, read responsively and given time for silence.  Tomorrow we’ll hope to expand the horizon.

In class I ask, “Do the words written on the board - holy, omnipotent, love – aid in your worship?”  Nods.  I go on, “Yet, in reality they are no more than symbols that represent concepts.  Symbols that bring to memory Scriptures like Isaiah 6 or understandings we have of that attribute.  Each word becomes a bridge into thoughtfulness and consideration that leads to worship.” 

Scattered around the room is an exhibit of various pieces of art - Two Sisters on the Terrace by Renoir, Plaza After the Rain by Cornoyer, Japanese Footbridge by Monet, Kenyan pottery, Mexican Window in repujado, a Russian wooden egg and more. 

If we allow it,” I say, “art can also be a bridge into worship.  Art communicates concepts like beauty, inspiration, symmetry, and mystery.”  We are reminded of the beauty of His glory, the infinite details of His out-workings, His balanced completeness or inspiration of His grandeur.

We stand and in silence mill around the exhibit.  Together we look and think.  We consider and pray.  We interact with and worship the Living God.