A PUPPY'S KISSES CAN COMPARE WITH OUR WORSHIP OF GOD

Since I learned the meaning of the word “worship,” every time I watch an exuberant pup kiss its owner, I think of how my relationship with God should be—as a holy kiss.

 

 

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES        by Sally Bair

A puppy’s kisses

Who can resist a puppy’s kisses? With tail wagging, they can hardly contain their happiness. Pups try with every wiggle and wag to show their excitement. They may even knock us over in their joyful effort to be as close as possible.

Among other meanings, the word “worship” means “kiss” and compares to that of our canine pets licking our hands and faces. Worshiping God is an expression of joy—a time when we offer our joy in being in His presence and a time when He becomes joyful in return.

A kiss between siblings or friends may be expressed in a manner unlike between husband and wife, and differs from one part of the world to another. Early church members were encouraged to “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” (1Corinthians 13:12) Such expressions of caring likely meant kissing the cheek. Today Christians still use that form of love, one to another.

And therein lies the key to worship. As our worship of God through Christ expresses itself in joy, it also shows Him our love. When we commune with Him through His Word, prayer, fellowship and obedience, we do so from the heart—from our innermost being. Like exuberant puppies with their owners, we worship God freely—because we want to.

Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman at a well about worship. “The hour is coming,” He said, “and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) When we’re born of the Spirit, we can crouch like puppies and prostrate ourselves in holy reverence during a church service. Or we can commune with Him in joyful, heartfelt worship while we’re at our work place, at home cleaning or negotiating peace among our children. True worship of God is a matter of the heart. True worship is as simple as kissing God.

Lord, thank You for Your continual kisses of love in the form of love, joy, peace and righteousness. Like puppies, we offer You our joy and love and obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.