John 4:23-24
23 But the hour is coming and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Growing up in the Presbyterian Church, we always wore our Sunday best. We had school clothes, play clothes, and church clothes. We wore white shoes from Easter to Labor Day and then black patent leather the remainder of the year. Wearing our Sunday best was a way of showing respect and reverence for God through the worship service. While I admit growing up that I did not always enjoy wearing all the things, what I did grow to appreciate was the specialness of church and how through our apparel we made church special emphasizing how important our relationship with God is.
As I came to work at Cedarkirk, I enjoyed the opposite site of worship. Because worship was often at the end of the camp day, all the campers and counselors arrived with dirty feet and were very much in need of a shower. And, yet dirty feet and all we worshiped God. Worship in this context helps us understand that we come to God just as we are and God welcomes us no matter who we are or what choices we have made.
Both images of worship are helpful and remind us that there are many paths to connecting to God both Sunday best and dirty feet. God creates again and again ways for us to show up in worship just hoping that we will come and be in relationship. For as the Bible teaches us today, “God is spirit” and it is with spirit and truth that we are called to praise.
Prayer
God of Grace, we are grateful that we praise you. In worship, we gather together to celebrate your presence in our lives and our community. You welcome us from all walks of life and from all perspectives. Thank you for always opening the door and calling us in spirit and in truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.