“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.”
(Genesis 4:3 NIV)
More than a decade ago, I had gone to the grocery store with my mom picking up a few things. It was the week between Christmas and New Year’s and she was on the hunt for pumpernickel bread and pickled herring. I must have blanched when she flagged down an employee and made her request because once she found her wares, she turned to me and indicted: “Don’t you eat picked herring and pumpernickel on New Year’s? It’s good luck.”
I may have been pregnant at the time because the idea of canned fish on smelly bread was revolting. “Absolutely not!” I retorted. Mom went on to explain that this was a family tradition and how she was coming to appreciate participating in things her ancestors did. I told her I didn’t care who ate pickled fish, I wasn’t having it.
Years later, I have come to appreciate the idea of participating in old family rituals. Many of my people have passed on and upholding their traditions keeps them alive in my heart. I still won’t touch pickled herring, but I do try to recall parent’s personalities and quirks.
As I’ve spent the last couple week’s in Cain’s story, I realize that worship is as old as time itself. Cain and Abel are the first documented worshipers, but we can assume Adam and Eve’s evening walks with God were worship as well.
Worship is an ancient practice, but it’s also a future promise. Worship will continue on into eternity. When we worship, we get to participate in something so much bigger than us. When we worship, we connect with the Almighty, who transcends time and space itself. Worship is one tradition that will go on forever and we have been invited and allowed to participate.
Also, it’s more appealing that pickled herring!
“O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.” (Isaiah 25:1 NLT)
Lord, what a privilege it is to worship You. May we not take this opportunity lightly, but enter Your courts with thanksgiving in our hearts. We acknowledge that You are the God of our ancestors and the God of our offspring. We are delighted to participate in worship today. Amen.