It’s all about intimacy.
1. Where’s your head at? I’ve heard it said that our most important sexual organ is our mind. If you’re thinking about your to do list or really anything expect for the person in front of you, you’re not doing it right. So where’s your head at when you’re sitting in the pew? Are you thinking about what groceries you need to buy? Or are you worshiping a holy and awe inspiring God? By getting your head in the game, the whole experience changes.
2. Just go with it. Sometimes we’re just not in the mood. Your kid just threw a tantrum; you’re exhausted so it wouldn’t be that great anyway; life is really hard right now so it’s difficult to find the “right” emotions. But as surprising as it is, if you let go of these excuses, allow yourself to get caught up in the moment, you’ll find that the experience builds upon itself. Intimacy builds intimacy. As you allow yourself to participate in the experience, the experience brings its own rewards, and what began as routine can blossom into ecstatic romance.
3. Commitment. In his book Sheet Music, Dr. Kevin Leman writes, “If you’re not willing to commit yourself to having sex with this person two to three times a week for the rest of your life, don’t get married. Certainly, pregnancy and sickness and a few other unforeseen problems will alter this–but in general, to get married is to commit to a regular time of sexual intimacy.” Worship is not optional, and it shouldn’t only happen once a week.
The relationship between a man and a woman in holy matrimony is a picture, a reflection, of the relationship between Christ and the church, so maybe it’s not so crazy to compare worship to sex. It is a time where intimacy is deepened, a time of refreshment and renewal. How great is it to let down our barriers, strip off our clothes, and be present with the one you love. The One who loves you absolutely. Let’s worship like newlyweds.
Both this post and your zombie post made me think of Peter Kreeft’s essay on Joy:
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That old self has sold itself to the devil. It’s his microphone. It sits there behind our ears chattering away. When we’re about to give ourselves to God, it instantly whispers to us: “Careful, now. Hold back. Don’t get too close to him. He’s dangerous. In fact, he’s a killer.”
The voice speaks some truth. Even the devil has to begin with some truth in order to twist it into a lie. It’s true; God is a killer. If you let him, he will kill your old, selfish, unhappy, bored, wretched, mistrusting, loveless self.
But he will do it only if you want him to; and he will do it only as much as you want him to. God is a gentleman. He will never rape your soul, only woo it.
And when he does, you understand one of the reasons why sex is so different, so special, so holy: it is an image of this, of heaven, of the ultimate meaning and destiny and purpose of your life.
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What a great quote. Thanks for sharing!