Alan taught me an important lesson about worship, and I wrote about it here. However, he got me again in a most unexpected way. One of his favorite, and I mean favorite toys is his whoopee cushion. He laughs every single time, falling over on the floor, cracking up kind of laughing. Every time. “This never gets old!” he says once he catches his breath again.
That’s what I’m missing. My worship does get old. If it gets old to me, I’m afraid to think how God views it. Thinking about Alan, I found 4 things he had while playing, that I need to infuse into my worship.
Spontaneity – He doesn’t schedule when he plays. It just happens. Real worship can’t scheduled. It naturally flows out of a full heart. (Now- this is NOT to say that real worship can’t happen during our weekly scheduled services. It absolutely should. My point is that is can’t be switched on and off with the clock.)
Focus – When Alan plays, he only has one toy. He’s not thinking ahead to what’s next. He is totally in the moment. I admit, I get in church and my brain wanders off like a toddler in a theme park. (Another story for another day perhaps.)
Energy – Alan goes after that whoopee cushion with gusto. In fact he’s burst a couple of them in his exuberance. Too many times, my worship becomes a passive spectator activity.
Delight – Alan LOVES that whoopee cushion. I need to develop that excitement, that thrill of just being in God’s presence.
Part of my problem is my relationship with God is too formal. I mean, He’s GOD, after all. I can’t just… you know… And I realize this is an issue. In the last year or so, God has gently been guiding me toward real intimacy with Him, not just ‘knowing about” Him, but having that sense of belonging. Letting go of shame was one step on that road. Genuine worship is another.
Alan is after my own heart! I know that God has a great sense of humor. Thank you for GETTING REAL by sharing this story! I hope you don’t mind, but I have reposted/tweeted the link out on Twitter and Facebook. Keep going, girlfriend!
And I’m still deciding what it says about me that I find some sort of insight from a whoopee cushion…
HAHA. When I was teaching high school, I confiscated a remote control “gas machine.” I asked the principal for special permission to take it home during Thanksgiving break. HAD WAY TOO MUCH FUN with it. I’m on the same humor level as Alan, I guess, and I don’t think I will ever grow out of it. Now applying that to my spiritual life is another story, you’re right.
I may be able to hide my farts in public, but God surely knows every time I let one rip! I try to be polite for Him, but I guess He knows my true noisy, smelly, immature self!
That is so accurate. I am laughing as I write this, ’cause this Alan kid (whom I have never met before) sounds so funny! Great post!