"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." Psalms 27:4
My trip to Washington gave me ample opportunities to gaze upon the beauty of God’s creation. I found myself in awe of the creativity that God used to form the world around me. I tried to capture some of it behind the lens of my camera. I didn’t miss a single moment. I took advantage of every opportunity to gaze upon the beauty of the scenery all around me.
I wonder how many times in my day to day life that I miss out on an opportunity to gaze at the beauty of the Lord? While creation is one of the most evident forms of beauty – this verse I believe is talking about a different kind of beauty. A beauty that most of us miss out on, simply because we do not take the time to gaze upon it.
The verse says – “to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord AND to seek him in his temple.” I believe this part of the verse is talking about our responsibility when we attend church. This verse holds a key truth on the difference of “going to church” compared to “seeking out God at church.”
I know this is a problem many Christians face – making church an act of worship instead of a routine. I know I have struggled with it. I have three children that are fighting for my attention through out the services. At know many times I have left thinking “What was the point of that – I should of stayed home.” So many times I only get a quick glance of the beauty of the Lord and leave feeling disappointed.
First of all, we need to rewire our minds about “going to church” Instead of saying “I’m going to church this morning” we need to say “I am going seeking this morning” I am going to seek out God. We need to awake our senses to the beauty of the Lord that will be all around us in his temple – and train our hearts not to take a fleeting glance, but to gaze upon it. The definition to the word gaze is this: to look steadily and intently, as with great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder.
Now that you have rewired your mind to go seeking instead of just going to church – be forewarned you must also back up this thinking with actions of preparation throughout the week. Church is not a quick energy drink to pick you up from a week of spiritual dehydration. You may pick up a temporary spiritual boost from it but then you will quickly deplete as the daily grind sets in. The verse also says “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Each and every single day you should be dwelling with the Lord.
I believe God has a unique beauty that surrounds a body of believers seeking him as they worship. Don’t continue to miss out on that beauty. The next time you enter the Lord’s temple – gaze upon this beauty.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s go seeking!
Application:
Write down the following words from the definition of gaze on a piece of paper -- great curiosity, interest, pleasure, or wonder. When you return from church write down what you experienced in each of those areas as you worshipped that morning/evening.
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Great article, an eye opener. I have been in my bible reading psalm 27:4, i have never seen it like this before. But thats our Father, always guiding and opening the Word of God to us.
