Scripture for Today:  John 4:23  “A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.”

I love to worship with fellow believers, whether in France, America or Taiwan.  The American church pictured here was quite creative in getting their people to find their seats in a timely manner.  But as I was settled in early I had time to stare at that screen and think about that message.  When does worship start for me?  Of course, worship with other believers is a scheduled affair.  I look forward to this worship and we are exhorted to never abandon assembling together.  But there is another kind of worship that is larger than just the music and is intensely personal between my Lord and me.

This personal worship ideally does not have a start nor an end.  This worship is done not only with my mouth, but with my thoughts and with my daily actions.  Our verse today talks about worshiping Him in spirit.  This was said to the woman at the well, as she was making an issue of where worship takes place.  Jesus taught that the physical place was not the issue.  True worship takes place in our spirit wherever we are.  And our worship is to be in truth, using God’s Word, as His Word is truth, (John 17:17).

When I am reading God’s Word I am worshiping Him.  When I am remembering a verse or sharing one with someone else, it is an act of worship!  When I am talking to Him it is worship.  When I am living for Him, seeking to obey His voice, that is worship.  May my worship be daily and life-long!  He is worthy!

Scripture for today:  Hebrews 11:13b and 14 …”and they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”

Do you remember the old song on Sesame Street that says, “One of these things is not like the other.  One of these things just doesn’t belong…”  It is obvious from this photo which of us does not belong.  Living as a foreigner in France means one often feels like a “cultural misfit.”  After 23 years of living in France I am still dumbfounded by newly discovered differences in their thinking!

What is even more surprising to me is having this same out-of-place feeling when visiting the USA.  My frame of reference has changed and I have grown comfortable with what previously was strange to me.  I find it difficult to change again to the American way of thinking when there.  So in fact, I consider myself a “cultural misfit” on both sides of the ocean.

The verse for today is in a chapter that lists the great men and women of faith.  What is true of all of them is that they were looking for a country of their own.  They were not comfortable in their culture.  In verse 16 it says they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.  So in one sense, we are ALL called to be “cultural misfits.”  As believers our citizenship is in heaven and we are not to feel too comfortable in whatever country we live.  We are not home yet.

One day, I will cease feeling like a square peg in a round hole.  One day, I will belong.  One day, I will no longer have need of a passport, visa, or suitcase.  One day the same will be true for YOU.  But for now, let’s encourage one another that it’s OK to be a “cultural misfit” for Christ’s sake.