O COME LET US ADORE HIM?

Our pastor made an observation that, I must admit, took me by surprise when he first said it. We’ve enjoyed singing Christmas carols, and a favorite of many people is O Come All Ye Faithful. The chorus repeats three times: O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him.

But Pastor Chris pointed out that many of us–even those who claim faith in Christ–rush through our days with a mindset that is more accurately phrased: O come, let us IGNORE Him. We use our busy schedules as an excuse, jobs, commuting, kids, to-do list, holiday events and preparations, shopping.  By the time we fall, exhausted, into bed at night, have we spent more than five minutes communicating with God that day? Have we immersed ourselves in His word? Have we contemplated how Jesus Christ left His throne of glory and came to earth to die for us? The image of the Baby in the manger might be endearing, but His destiny was a bloody cross to sacrifice Himself for me, to atone for my sin. But we are so caught up in “the holidays,” we barely take time to acknowledge Him. Consider this: would you like to be ignored on your birthday?

So Pastor Chris encouraged: O come, let us EXPLORE Him. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “explore” is this:  to investigate, study, or analyze; To look into; to become familiar with by testing; to examine deeply or minutely for diagnostic purpose;  to make or conduct a systematic search. I wish I could say I study God’s word deeply and minutely, or search its pages systematically. But exploring who Jesus Christ is requires becoming familiar with His voice and His heart as reflected in His word. I can only do that by saturating myself in the love letter He wrote to us.

Several years ago, I stopped making new year’s resolutions, and instead adopted the practice of focusing on one word to steer my habits and thoughts during the course of the year. Some days I did better than other days, but for the most part, I feel God used this practice to teach me to recognize His will, and grow me as His child. I used words like: Trust, Peace, Serve, and Persevere. I believe “my word” for 2017 is going to be EXPLORE.

O come, let us EXPLORE Him. How can we truly adore Him without studying and becoming familiar with His word?

O come, let us EXPLORE Him. Conduct a search. Test Him, diagnose what He has to say in His word.

O come, let us EXPLORE Him. Seek Him, pursue Him, satisfy your appetite by feasting on His word. Embrace the comfort and direction He offers through His word.

O come, let us EXPLORE Him.