“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.””
Luke 21:1-4 NKJV
Over 12 years ago a prophetic word was given to us that truthfully wasn’t welcomed at the time. The person speaking said he saw us with many suitcases in our hands and we were called to be market place missionaries living in the road and out of our bags. I threw my head back and groaned loudly, “noooooo!!”, knowing full well my outburst wouldn’t stop the good hand of G-d. Little did we know what the next season would hold for us or how many places we’d call home.
We’ve felt strongly that this move would be our last and we’d finally be settled. We assumed we would fit right back into a former church we attended, taking for granted how much relationships change when you are not in close proximity to maintain them. Both time and distance has a way of changing things. People grow and change. You can’t just “come back home” to something you’ve not maintained in your absence.
Once we finally decided “home” was where my parents are, we began our search in our new hometown for a church home, a place we strongly desire to plant deep roots in. The search has caused us search our hearts and revaluate both the role of the church in our lives and our role in the local church.
Anyone that knows our family knows worship is a core value. It is at the heart of our family mission statement: to raise children who are passionate worshippers of G-d. Our search for a both community of believers and a corporate worship experience where we “fit” and belong has forced us to strip away and redefine what worship is. It has brought us back to the heart of worship – the place where it’s all about Him – specifically, Him and me. I’ve come to realize that for years I’ve prioritized the value of corporate worship over personal worship. While corporate expression IS important and it IS biblical, without personal worship, without encountering Him first intimately, corporate worship is downgraded to just another concert or performance.
Worship is the currency of heaven and personal worship is the lifeblood of my relationship with Him. Yet, too often I’ve avoided personal worship because of busy-ness or how I “feel”. When I “feel” anxious or overwhelmed, it has been hard to muster up a joyful sound. Maybe you’ve been there too. Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to engage in both personal and corporate worship when things are going well? It just seems easier to get up and get going, to sing loudly and joyfully, and to raise hands high when circumstances are good.
When I read this passage today, I heard the Lord speak to my spirit that worship is like the offerings brought to the treasury that day. Sometimes worship flows from a heart of abundance and sometimes it flows from a heart of poverty. Worship offered in good times is like the offering from the rich – it’s good, it’s useful, but it doesn’t cost as much. I’m sure the wealthy in this passage thought nothing of parting with a few coins. But the widow – she gave all she had. She gave out of her need. Worship given from an impoverished soul is like the offering this widow brought – it is so costly that it draws His attention. What He is really after is my heart – all of it – the ugly and the good. And when I find myself down to my last “mite”, I can humbly and confidently offer it to Him knowing that He is the source of life that never runs dry. More of Him, less of me- always.
Father – thank You for Your Word and truth. I’m tired of grieving lost relationships. I’m tried of the hurt I carry from those who have judged me harshly and unfairly. All I have to offer You is a bruised and wounded heart. I give You all of me – even the pain. Help me to lay down the hurt so my hands might be freed of the weight holding them back. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and I will trust You. Amen.
Daily Reading: Matthew 23, Luke 20-21
November 5, 2022