So Long September

Is it really the last few hours of September? Where does the time go?

One of the things that I am really trying to work on this semester is to be more content. I am working on enjoying each day for the gift that it is. I'm trying to take pleasure in each little moment, because I'm not guaranteed to live beyond each moment. I might as well take full advantage of all the moments that God gives me.

I grew up on the old hymns, and I love them. They bring me such comfort, especially when I'm in the midst of a panic attack. My best coping skill for panic attacks is to sing (well try at least, it is hard to sing when I can't breathe) or at least listen to some of my favorite hymns. As much as I love hymns, this month there has been a praise chorus that has really touched my heart and has been my anthem to God. Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? It is a great worship song.
Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice

Did you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokeness

And here we see that God you're moving
A time of Jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Written by Martin Smith ©1995 Curious? Music UK

I just love it. It puts me in a such hopeful and worshipful frame of mind. It is interesting to me, how certain songs touch me at certain points in my life. Music is wonderful, but it isn't the only way that we worship God. There is so much MORE to worship than just singing a few songs. We worship God with our attitudes, with our appearance (we are temples after all), and with each godly choice that we make.

Our attitudes are a big part of our worship. How we react can either bring God glory, or cause Him to shake His head. This is something I'm really working on. I'm working on praying for people on the road in lieu of thinking they are dumb drivers. I'm also working on having an attitude of praise. In stead of being frustrated with traffic, with the internet not working right, with my cat getting sick on my carpet, with a paper that comes back with a lower grade than I thought I deserved, I will be thankful that I can afford to put gas in my car, that I can get online just about anywhere, that I have a cat to love and be loved by, and that I'm in seminary learning about Christ and serving others as a lay counselor.

Our appearance can be just as worshipful. I'm not saying spend 3 hours every morning trying to look like a cover model. I am saying take care of yourself. Eat right, exercise, shower and brush your teeth. And then put on modest clothing. I admit that I enjoy fashion magazines and I try to keep up with some of the styles, but don't take it to excess. Look nice, look appropriate for the event, and cover up the parts that should be covered. There is no need to go to school or work (unless you are a lifeguard) showing off too much cleavage or midriff. We all know what the human body looks like. You might as well leave something to the imagination.

Our choices are part of our worship. Are we choosing to be good stewards of our time? Are we doing activities that we would do if Jesus was walking right beside us? Jesus is always with us, but we tend to forget that, or we don't care. I'm convinced that the lives of many Christians would change if Jesus spent 24 hours walking beside them.

Do we sacrifice to help others? Jesus told us that it isn't enough to give what we have lots of. We need to go the extra mile and give when it is hard. That is how we worship, how we show God that we trust Him to take care of us. I'm not saying become homeless, but we can all afford to do a bit more than we do. And yes, I'm preaching to myself here.

Overall, we need to remember that our lives are for God's glory, and God is glorified and worshiped in many ways, not just through song. Singing is wonderful, but our actions speak louder than our words. As a counselor I am learning that it isn't enough to ask people where their priorities lie, I need to hear about what they do each day. Their actions are a bigger clue to what is going on than their words.

For me, it is showing God that I am thankful for each day, that I'm trying to be loving and more worshipful, that I'm trying to be thankful for the little moments, for being here at seminary. I love that I get to come here, to a place where I am encouraged, nay required to learn more about Christ! What could be better!?! My homework requires me to pray, to study His love letter to me, to grow in Him! Please, throw me in the briar patch!!!

As I say so long to September, I'm grateful for the lessons that I've learned, for the moments of intimacy with my Savior, for the time with friends and family, for the hard times as well. I'm thankful for the month, for the 30 days, and all those moments. I look forward to October and 31 more days (hopefully!) to try to bring my God more glory.