True Worship

I came to an uncomfortable conclusion last night.  My dog worships me.  Just look at the evidence.  When I am sitting at the computer he lies my my feet, making sure I don't go anywhere without him knowing.  He follows me everywhere I go.  I go the kitchen and he is on my heels.  I go to the bathroom and he comes in looking for me.  I grab his leash and he heads for the door, ready to follow wherever I will lead him.  The neighbors tell me that when I am gone they hear him howling in distress, uncertain what to do without me.  The clincher came last night.  My son Will and I went to get some Chinese for dinner while Marilyn hung out at home.  She told me later that the entire time I was gone he howled and laid on the bed starring out the window, waiting for my return.  I just have to face the facts.  Conner the Dog worships me, unworthy as I am. 


And the more I thought about it, the more I realized what a great example of true worship it is!  I want to feel that way about Jesus every single day.  I want to long to know where he will take me next.  I want to follow him everywhere he wants to lead me.  I want to feel the need to be in his presence so strongly that when I feel like I have wandered away (because if we feel separated from God, it is us who moved) I howl with grief, hoping he will hear my cries and come rescue me yet again.  I want to be constantly vigilant, following him in the here and now and waiting for the glory of his return.  This is what true worship is- giving ourselves completely to the One we worship.  I want to be like that.  Jesus invites us all, with all of our faults and failures and blemishes, to come follow him.  It is a come just as we are invitation, but it comes with a price- that we take up our cross and follow him no matter what.  I realize now that Conner is not only a faithful dog, he is a walking object lesson.  I want to need Jesus so bad that is hurts.  LORD, I want to howl for you.  I hope you will all join me.  


Because of Jesus,