No Window Between Us

Iris. She's a gorgous Golden Retriever with shiny, soft fur, kind eyes and a playful spirit. She belongs to our grandkids out in Indiana. The boys love her and she loves them.

The other morning as I was sitting in their living room, making small talk with the boys, we looked out the big picture window nearby. There was Iris. Looking in at us with those big, tender eyes, imploring us to give her the attention she so loves, and deserves. You could see it in her stance, in her gaze, her desire to be there in that living room. With us.

But the glass window served as a barrier, preventing the connection we all were desiring.

It made me think of our Heavenly Father. Lovingly looking upon us, wanting to connect and be a part of our lives. Sin is the barrier that prevents the depth of relationship that He longs for. But, thankfully, His sacrificial death paved the way to break through that barrier, as faith meets with humble repentance.

As Christmas season is once again here, let us consider the beautiful magnificence of that word; Emmanuel, God with us. God is soveriegn. Could He have made a way for salvation that was different than the one He chose? The shedding of blood from a sacrificial lamb without blemish was required, and Christ was the only way. But that said, did He have to make a way for Him to come and live among us? Could He have orchestrated His plan with the efficiency of His spoken word? Obviously, He desired more. He desired to actually be among us, to live WITH us, to be in day to day connection with those He created, those He loved! Does this not inspire us with a sense of grateful worship? Does it not make us feel more known and understood? After all, our Creator was here. He experienced this life from the vantage point of the created.

Recently a minister related that the word worship in the Greek, or was it Hebrew....means to be like a dog affectionatly waiting on his Master, adoringly looking on and ready to heap affection and care upon him. It creates a good word picture.

Is that you and me? Looking upon our Master with adoration, reverance and thorough love? Desiring to give Him our grateful attention and loving service. If so, we are in a place of worship. A good place to be.

So this little analogy can go both ways as we consider our Heavenly Father, lovingly looking upon us, as well as we His children, looking unto Him in a reverant spirit of worship. Our God is looking upon us, watching and waiting. Are we looking back at him with...

no window between us?