Which am I Doing?

Scripture: When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. 1 Kings 8:10-11

Observation: The ark has been moved to the temple and placed in the Most Holy Place ... and the ceremony is stopped by God himself. As a result, instead Solomon launches into a speech about how wonderful and great and loving God is, then says a lengthy public prayer appealing to God to be with the people, to punish them righteously, and to forgive them when they return to God and worship him with sorrowful hearts.

And then ... they promptly sacrifice almost 150,000 animals over 14 days.

Application: "I desire worship, not sacrifice."

God really wanted the worship. He wanted the music and the honest dialogue from Solomon. He wanted the celebration, and he wanted the honor-filled praise, and he wanted the communal love. He wanted that so much, that he interposed himself to stop the ritual ceremony and cut straight to the worship.

Maybe Solomon understood that, but the Jews didn't really. And perhaps ... neither do I.

Why do I do God's work? Why am I spending my evening trying to organize a parade and 'sell' the idea of serving to others. Why am I going to spend two hours mowing the lawn and church tonight instead of seeing my family? Is it because I worship God and want to spend that time with him? Or is it because I am making a sacrifice and thinking that is what he requires of me?

Am I just doing works?

My service needs to be done as an act of worship, not a deed. God doesn't need me to mow the grass - he's the one GROWING the grass! He wants me to worship him - to spend time with him - to realize that pushing a mower around a big field gives me time to meditate on him, his word, and his love.

God doesn't need me to organize parade volunteers. He wants me to pray to him about each volunteer and find a way to love them while they serve, to seek his will in where people will best fulfill his purposes, and to find joy when I realize I have merely joined him in a process.

Serving with my mind and body - my living sacrifice - is my true act of worship.

Prayer: Lord, I place my service in your hands, as my act of worship and community with you. May you be the master of my thoughts and deeds today and every day. Amen.