Written By: Mary Gordon Kerr | CSUS Board Member
Photo By: Zane Miller
It’s a bit of an old cliche, an excuse to skip church on a pretty day, to say we might worship best on the golf course, or at the beach. And while scripture reminds us that we do need each other and corporate worship in our journey with Him (Hebrews 10:25), I was reminded this week, while at a church service, that God’s heart delights in our delight in Him. And our delight in Him and gratitude towards Him is a form of worship. Our worship is not just about turning our hearts to God, though that’s important. It also brings joy to the heart of our Heavenly Father.
On a morning when my church was meeting a day early because our coastal town was expecting imminent, uncharacteristically extreme winter weather, the pastor commented about God’s true delight when we worship Him. Thinking beyond the amazing music worship set of the day, I immediately thought about surfing (I can’t be the only one who daydreams about it).
I love to surf. It has very little to do with my skill level or wave count, though. Of course, I very much enjoy a session where good waves were had. I love to be in the ocean with friends, immersed in God’s creation. I’ve had countless deep conversations and built deep friendships there, waiting for waves. I’ve enjoyed sessions where my skin was warmed by the sun on a cool spring morning, or the ocean provided relief from the oppressive heat of a sultry summer day. I’ve been enveloped in a thick fog and the deep sound of not so distant fog horns was the soundtrack of the morning, days where I was greeted by the orange, blue and pink sky of dawn as I paddled out, or treated to a vivid display of color as the sun continued its’ daily journey to the horizon. At times treated by bottlenose dolphins to an aerial show, surprised by the big round head of a leatherback turtle popping above the surface of the sea, alarmed by the fin of a shark swimming nearby, or delighted by a line of pelicans gracefully lifting over the arch of a swell. When I turn my heart and eyes to the Father, the giver of all good gifts (Matthew 7:11), I recognize these moments as a love letter from my Creator, and my heart can not help but be filled with worship and gratitude.
Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” When we do that, not only are our hearts gladdened, but we delight the Father’s heart as well, and we just might inspire someone else to see the goodness of God and his great love for us in a new light.