Open Invite

I remember going to my grandma’s (aka Mammie) house when I was a kid. I never needed to call ahead; I could just go visit at any time. I knew that I had an open invite to her house any time. I loved popping in and visiting with her while she worked on a quilt, or was cooking a meal or simply reading and studying her Bible. There was something very special about my relationship with Mammie. She actually had a tremendous impact upon my life and I’m not sure she realized it. I learned about the details of her life more during the “pop in” visits than at any other time. She was the real deal and she was consistently who she said she was.

When Solomon finished the temple, he brought in the furnishings and the treasury that his dad, King David had amassed. The preparations were made and the Ark of The Covenant was moved into the Most Holy Place in the temple. They offered great sacrifices and celebrated the Temple a place for God to dwell. Something special happened during their worship that was powerful. Check this out…

13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good;

    his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 NIV)

When the glory of the Lord settles in – whatever I’m doing or not doing must surrender to what He’s doing. I love this –the Lord showed up and showed out in the midst of their time of worship and dedication.

As I’ve grown in my faith, I realize that the Lord doesn’t “pop in” on my life – He is actually with me always. I’ve extended an open invite to the Lord to come into my life and stay. I’ve also learned that the Lord doesn’t make His home in a building made with hands – He lives and dwells in the heart of His people.

I love being part of worship when the glory of the Lord can be felt. I believe He is ALWAYS there in worship. His Presence is felt and noticed sometimes more than others. I think it takes me a minute to push out the noise and distractions to simply be in His Presence. He has an open invite inside my heart and my life. I love that His Presence disrupted the worship – that is a good thing.

The Lord always has an open invite to have His glory disrupt my worship. He is the object of my worship and my praise. I would be an idiot to become frustrated with trying to worship and the Person I’m worshipping show up in His Glory. He has an open invite into my life and my worship any time. I know that He has extended an open invite for me to come before Him any time – night or day.

Pressing On!

Dwayne