–noun
| 1. | a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe; veneration. |
| 2. | the outward manifestation of this feeling: to pay reverence. |
| 3. | a gesture indicative of deep respect; an obeisance, bow, or curtsy. |
| 4. | the state of being revered. |
–verb (used with object)
| 6. | to regard or treat with reverence; venerate: One should reverence God and His laws. |
This is the word that has stuck with me since Sunday. This is the word that keeps reminding me of God.
I'm grateful for the service this last Sunday at WestWay. It started off like every other Sunday; with music. I was getting into the music and jiving with the groove a little bit but not clapping with the beat. I remember this because my wife asked me something like, "You're not in the clapping mood today?" and I just shook my head. After a couple songs, Shane asked us to be seated and proceeded to talk about how we often say we want to "worship" God and we often say how we should bow in His presence but we never really make the time to do that. For many reasons, any reasons, whatever reasons, we fail to honor God in this way on a regular basis. So, he invited us to do so. Right there, where we were, in the moment. I think that a lot of looking around goes on at that point. Like, are we really going to do this? I wonder what goes through people's minds? I think some are gracious for the opportunity. I think others just want to get it over with and only participate because others are doing so and they don't want to stand out. Anyway, I'm not sure what I initially thought but stepped out into the aisle and got down on my knees.
Shane led us in prayer and in a few more songs of worship to our Creator. I began to pray that God would strip me of my pride. I prayed that I would honor Him with my life; that I would seek to praise Him; love Him; serve Him and fear Him. I remember feeling that I couldn't get low enough before Him. I felt so unworthy of His grace and mercy and yet so thankful all at the same time. I was truly grateful for the opportunity to reflect. Thanks Shane. Thanks for allowing yourself to be used and for stepping out to lead us in a few moments of reverence to our King!
