As I reflected on how Jesus ordered His life with a keen awareness of the right time for what He said and did, I also noted what He taught about our making the most of the time allotted to us.
In John 4:21-24 He talked about the time to worship God in Spirit and in truth. In John 9:4 He pointed out that it is time to work while it is day, the night is coming when no one can work. And in John 12:35 He emphasized the importance of the time to walk in the light while the light is present.
Prior to Christ’s coming there were places and times when you worshipped. Through His life, death and resurrection He made a new and living way to approach God. Stop right now and focus on God. “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” Paul said in Colossians 3:1-2. There is a contemporary song that says, “Come, now is the time to worship.”
And when you come to worship be sure to depend upon the Holy Spirit. He will guide you into the truth and help you to understand it, according to John 14:26. He also will help you remember what He taught you: truth about Who God is, His character, His attributes, His mighty acts, His promises.
Worship can be spontaneous, at any time, any place, or it can be planned so proper heart and mind preparation can take place. One feeds the other. Ultimately our lives are to be filled with awe and wonder as we humbly walk before our great God.
Always be ready to respond to this invitation: “Come, now is the time to Worship!”
