Unique Ways to Worship Today

Devotional from Emily Weathers

We’ve been dropped into this strange place of discomfort.  All of us worldwide are experiencing it – albeit in different ways.  And it seems that we’ve also been placed in a crucible, experiencing the refining process, with the focus on what we most value.  Whoa, haven’t our values come to the surface for exposure?  It’s uncomfortable!

  • One thing I most value is time, and in a season where most are wrestling with an overabundance of time, oddly my time seems to have been cut shorter.  As a teacher, I feel like I can’t get enough time, can’t get caught up with grading, with emails, with planning ahead.
  • I also value nature, being outdoors, and instead I’m stuck in front of a screen for excruciating . . . okay, for extended periods of time.
  • I value relationships, peace, community, a future hope.

Many of you are feeling these same frustrations. And it’s uncomfortable, isn’t it?

As my values have come under threat in my own life, I can’t help but notice that humanity as a whole values the same things: relationships, peace, community, a future hope.  Never before have we seen on display the importance of community – just as God designed.

So how will we respond?  I teach literature, and when we think of the Greek and/or Shakespearean tragedies, one thing is certain: things will not go well for the main character(s).  So what’s the point in continuing to watch, read, view, study these plays (now movies)? We’re watching to see HOW the main characters handle and respond to their trials.  The ancients thought there was value in maintaining dignity and character in the face of trial.

This echoes Biblical principles too, doesn’t it?  How am I handling and responding to this trial called COVID-19?  How am I handling and responding to my values being threatened?  We have an opportunity to shine Christ’s light into the chaos and confusion.  So I’m constantly asking myself, what does that look like in this moment?  What does “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31, NKJV) look like during a pandemic? We will all answer in different ways, but I believe that’s the beauty of it: God directing those of us in Christ to respond to His call in uniquely differing ways to shine Christ’s light and glorify God.