Journey to Sunday Morning
By Sarah Cushing
Winter has felt extra long this year (thank you Punxsutawney Phil). On a cold and snowy Sunday morning, Josh and I spoke about who would remember to warm up the car before settling the kids inside and making sure we gave ourselves extra time to get to church. The kids heard our conversation, and wondered out loud if the car could freeze on the way to church. Josh joked that we would walk, which spurred another conversation on whether we would even make it to church if we had to walk. I reminded them that in Bible times people would travel for days, or even weeks, three times a year to worship in the city of Jerusalem.
I imagine there was excitement in the trip up to Jerusalem. A desire to be closer to God shared by a collective group of people. I can also imagine the journey was difficult, logistically and physically, but also special as it was the way to be closer to God’s presence on earth. Psalms 120-135 are songs of ascent, said to have been sung by God’s people on their journey to Jerusalem. I wonder if singing these songs helped the people prepare their hearts for worship.
For example, Psalm 122 shares the excitement of being in Jerusalem. Psalm 123 talks about the heart posture the journeyers had in turning their eyes toward God and asking Him for mercy.
Our journey to church consists of making sure everyone is dressed, that water bottles are full, Bibles are in our bags and special toys for a select few. Nothing like what is described in the Bible. I’m grateful that I don’t live in biblical times and do not have to travel for days to feel closer to God’s presence. Still, I know that I take that all for granted as I drive to church. I know my journey to church on Sundays is nothing like a trip on foot up a large hill. But how can I cultivate a similar heart posture sung about in the Psalms? How can I remember not to take it all for granted?
A way I try to cultivate that heart posture is to follow the psalmist’s example and keep my eyes on God. My focus on God shapes my focus on everything else. Paul talks about this in Colossians chapter 3. In verse 17 Paul writes, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Focusing on God reminds me that everything I have is because of God’s grace and mercy.
A second way is thankfulness. Psalm 92:1a says “It is good to give thanks to the Lord…” I can be thankful especially for things that in my life are “normal” or even expected. A warm car ride to church, a place to meet for church, or even praying with the expectation that God’s presence will meet us at church. These are parts of my life that have been standard, and it would be wrong to take these gifts for granted.
As we wait for the coming of spring and even tell ourselves we won’t take for granted future days of sunshine and warm air, let’s remember to focus on today, not taking for granted the blessings and mercies God has given to each one of us.