Intimate Connection
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Ps. 139:23-24
The worship was powerful as we sang “Lord, You’re Holy!” I poured my heart out in worship as we corporately declared who God is. I caught myself standing on tiptoe as if my voice and heart could reach heaven. At some point my eyes went to the Dad and son directly in front of me. Dad stood with arms lifted in praise and I caught the moment when he began to wipe the tears from his face. He too was lost in worship and I believe he was on his tiptoes also. I wasn’t trying to intrude on his worship, but I just couldn’t stop staring. My attention was pulled from worship as I stared at the picture right in front of me.
But was I really pulled away from worship?
I had never seen them before but was captured by the boys expressed love for his dad. He looked about nine or ten and just couldn’t get close enough to his dad. He was unashamed to express his love and affection. He wrapped himself around his strong arm and snuggled in as close as he could get. He was abandoned to his Dad. After a couple of minutes he would reposition himself and snuggle back in. This went on and on throughout the entire service.
About half way through the sermon the son realized that the armrest separating them could easily be lifted removing the slight separation between them. Dad just looked and smiled with delight when the wood divider was removed.
And in that moment, I caught my own sermon. I wasn’t pulled from worship but gripped by worship.
The Son loves and adores the Father and the Father loves and adores the Son. The longing of both of their hearts is total intimacy. Jesus laid himself on the wooden cross so that no division between the Father and us would ever be necessary.
Forgiven. No separation. No distractions. Nothing between us in the slightest way.
I had determined to tell the father what I had seen and remind him that his heavenly Father loved him in the same way. But in the quickness of a prayer, they were gone.
The Spirit came close and captured my heart and the Father whispered to me:
“This was for you! This is worship!
I love it when you draw up close.
I love it when your only desire is to be closer to me. I love the cry of your heart for “more”.
I love your heart of obedience to remove even the slightest sin between us.
This, my beloved, is true worship.”
I think the answer to my prayer began today:
“Lord send a revival and let it begin in me.”