Sunday Drive - Worshipping God Through Decorating

Worshipping God through decorating? What? How is that possible? Sounds like I'm a bit off my rocker... just wait, hear me out...

Recently, I have been reading in 2 Chronicles. In chapter 3 & 4 it describes the building of the temple for God. It's quite an elaborate temple! Like nothing I have ever seen.

There were carvings of palm trees and pomegranates and chains all overlaid in pure gold. The walls, floors and doors were overlaid in pure gold. All the furnishings in the temple were made with gold. You have to read those chapters, it's incredible!

Can you imagine? The gift and craftsmanship for that kind of work had to be exquisite. The care to make all of those items were in essence an act of worship.

If you were creating something to present to our King of Kings, wouldn't you want to make it the best you possibly could?

2 Chronicles 2:5-6 (NLT)
5 “This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods. 6 But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?

Now, I know that there isn't more of God in something simple compared to something grand. I know that God doesn't give more favor to the wealthy than to the poor. We all have different gifts, some have more visible gifts and some have more behind the scenes gifts.

My point is giving God the best of YOUR gift. That is the act of worship. You can just throw your 'gift' together and present it to The Lord or you can take time to make your 'gift' the best it can be before you present it.

I'm getting long winded here.... This is what recently happened to me....

I am in charge of decorating our church sanctuary for Christmas. Two other lovely ladies from our church came to help one Monday evening. I got there early, because I wanted to set up the tree on stage and add some ribbon to it. The ribbon was not cooperating with me. I was getting a bit frustrated with it.

When my wonderful helpers showed up and I just kind of threw the ribbon on and left the tree decorating in much more capable hands. I went to hang some lights.  

I've never really considered decorating my gift. I enjoy building and transforming things much more. However, over time, I've gotten better at decorating and I've come to enjoy certain aspects of it, so there must be a gift in there somewhere. Yet, decorating a shelf with 'stuff' is still a struggle.

Anyway, after we were done decorating, we were cleaning up and I stepped back and looked at the tree. The tree turned out beautiful all except for that ribbon.... all I could see and focus on was how I haphazardly threw the ribbon on. It was lacking and it definitely wasn't my best.

Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

I was comparing it to the tree I did at home. I am so proud of that Christmas tree. It's probably the best one I've ever done. I took my time with the ribbon and it turned out so gorgeous. 

I was not proud of this tree at church. What was I presenting to God? It certainly wasn't my best. What kind of gift was I presenting to The King of Kings? I asked The Lord for forgiveness.

This is where it turned into worship...

That week I was determined to give my best to God. I knew what I needed to do. I shopped for some lovely ribbon that would be perfect and cooperate with me. I found some other things I wanted to add to the tree. 

This was becoming an act of worship for me. 

We had an event at church later that week, so, I showed up a bit early to 'worship The Lord' with my gift.

When I was finished, I was proud of the gift I was offering to The Lord. I knew I had given Him my best.

So, yes, you can worship The Lord through decorating. In fact, you can worship Him in just about anything. Giving Him your best is an act of worship.

Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

The Lord is worthy of all praise. 

Blessings,
Lori