"I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." (Psalm 122:1 NIV)
I’ve spent the last six months or so sitting in the psalms alongside my other daily readings. I’ll stay in a psalm sometimes for days at a time and this week I’ve read Psalm 122 repeatedly. What a blessing it is to go a house full of believers! What a privilege it is to part ways with the world in order to worship together!
The Israelites had ample opportunity to recognize this privilege each and every time they went to Temple. Three times a year they’d make the trek, leaving homes and farms behind for a few days to fully focus on their walk with God. The journey itself provided a path to turn their hearts toward worship. They would sing these songs along the way – these songs are the Psalms of Ascent found in chapter 121-134. They sung as they ascended the precarious path to Jerusalem. Holiness took hold of them as they intentionally stepped away from their common work and towards God’s rest.
We live in the neighborhood next to Shavano Park, a primarily Jewish community. There are ten synagogues within six square miles. On Saturdays we see devout families walking to service in their Shabbat best. I wonder this morning, how does their commute affect their worship? I’d imagine, as a fellow San Antonian, there aren’t many other places they walk to. This city does not score high on walkability. Even if it did, six months the year it’s too hot to abandon air conditioning without a compelling reason. I respect their commitment to the tradition!
Now, I’m not traipsing the eight city miles to my church this morning, but I can see the value in walking to worship. A different destination, a different pace, a different method of arrival – all these things slow a soul down and prepare us for an ardent, authentic interaction with God. And isn’t that the motive of every Sunday morning? Aren’t we meeting with the living God to regain His perspective on this temporary plight?
We may not be walking to church today but we can still be preparing our hearts. We can intentionally change our pace on Sunday mornings, making time for that second cup of coffee or sitting in silence for a few long moments. We can ready ourselves as we lay out our clothes and feed our people. We can sings songs of separation or meditate on scriptures. We can pull up to church with a heart a little more ready to receive Him.
"Let us go to His dwelling place, let us worship at His footstool." (Psalm 132:7 NIV)
Lord, today we recognize the privilege of being called to worship. May we make time to adequately prepare today. Help us slow our souls as we make our way towards Your house. Teach us to step aside from the daily that distracts and diminishes. Fix our hearts on You as we make our way into Your presence today. Amen.