The Westminster Catechism says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
Do you realize that if you stop right now and worship God, think about Him, marvel at His attributes, call His name Holy, let your heart burst into song, lift your hands, dance – whatever you want – you will be fulfilling the prime reason for your existence? What could be better (or easier)? And on top of that, you have the assurance that your offering is joyfully received.
We were created to worship – to notice the song of the birds, to catch the shape of the clouds, to feel the penetrating heat of the day, to observe the twist of the lips that makes one smile different from another, to catch a drop of rain on the tongue, to taste the sweetness of an orange and notice its colour. These are far and away the most important observations we can make. And look at how accessible these are!
What we’re talking about here is living with an attitude of praise. Anyone can do it – rich or poor, new Christian or old, healthy or sick – we can all un-clutter our lives by arranging everything around God and the celebration of why we are here. Nature is doing it unconsciously. Children do it most easily. We ‘grown ups’ need a little instruction – a little prodding – only because we get distracted and we forget.
Outside my office door right now is a tree unlike any I have ever seen. It grows out as much as it grows up. Its branches defy gravity, growing horizontally as much as it grows vertically. Not long ago I gave this tree a severe haircut (with a chainsaw!) because it was encroaching on power lines. It looked very naked on the top side as we could see the woody branches exposed. But then spring arrived and now you can’t see the branches anymore! Green shoots everywhere!
What is this tree doing right now? Praising God. It can’t help it. It is a living monument to its Creator. God thought this tree into existence and put it here, years ago, for his pleasure and mine. He and I share this tree together. And when it flowers, the buzzing of a thousand bees can be heard in the early morning quietness. It’s a tree throbbing with audible praise.
We can do it too. Even more so, because we have a mind, heart, body, soul and spirit. We can hum our thanks to our creator with words and meaning, for we were made for this, and we are restless souls without it.Let everything that has breath (and even that which does not) praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!