We Can Worship Anywhere

Last week we talked about the Ten Commandments and how God have the Israelites a set of rules to help them learn to love God and live in a way that pleases God. A few chapters later in the book of Exodus, God gave Moses and the Children of Israel very specific instructions about how to build a special place for them to worship God. This place was called the Tabernacle. At this point in time, the Israelites were still traveling through the desert on their way to the land of Canaan which God had promised to give to them. They were a nomadic people, constantly on the move. So they needed a place of worship that could be easily moved and quickly set up/taken down.

God directed them how to make everything, from the structure itself to each of the items found inside including the Ark of the Covenant, which held the very presence of God, the Table of Showbread, the lampstands, the altar, and more. It also told exactly how to make the clothing that the priests would wear. All of these instructions can be found beginning in Exodus chapter 25. The people followed God's directions and the result was a place where they could gather to worship God together.

We still gather together as the Body of Christ today to worship together. But we no longer have to go to a specific location to worship. We can worship God anywhere in many different ways. We can worship God by serving others, by listening to or reading God's Word, by talking to God through prayer, by singing songs of praise to God, through our work or schoolwork, through art...the list goes on and on.

This week, I encourage you to talk to your child(ren) about how they can incorporate worship into their daily lives. Tune the radio to KLove or Air1 while you are driving to and from school or activities and sing along with the songs. You can also take some time to sing together at home. Turn on the radio, pop in a Christian CD or choose a worship song on your iPod. If you don't have any Christian music at home, you can also hop over to YouTube and sing along. Many of the videos even have lyrics to make singing along easier. 

Here are a few of my favorites that you might enjoy. Feel free to go search for your own favorites, too. 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XkljgA5SQc8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jbe7OruLk8I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-eaalSMO5uM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7-zJHgaoVa4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

While music is a wonderfully enjoyable way to worship, it isn't the only way. Have dinner together as a family around the table and begin your meal with a blessing. As you eat, talk about things you are thankful for or ways that you have experienced God's presence or heard God's voice that day. As your child(ren) works on homework or chores, talk about how by doing our homework or chores with a joyful heart, we can worship God. Read a Bible story together with your children before bed. Have prayer with your child(ren) before bed, thanking God for the gifts of the day, praying for those who are sick or in need, and asking God for a restful night's sleep that will make you ready for the next day.

Worship is a way of life. It is living each moment attuned to God's presence around us and within us. When we learn to live a life of worship, we learn to live each day with joy, regardless of the circumstances around us, because we are walking with God who never leaves us or forsakes us, no matter where we may be.