Heart of Worship

Evening falls on the little mountain church as worshippers gather. A small group of mountain folk bring their handmade instruments into the yard, ready to sing a new song to the Lord. The little church sits high above the darkness and gloom of the valleys. Light radiating from its windows is from the Spirit who inspires true worship and illumines the praises of His people. Three red-leafed trees surrounding the church speak of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Smoke rises in two directions from the chimney. Some ascends, like true worship rising to the Father in Heaven. Some rises and then drifts back toward the darkness, just as insincere worship rises and falls into darkness. The light of forgiveness shines on dark clouds of sin and death over the mountains. The path leads in two directions: one past the church toward the dark hills and valleys, rambling from darkness to darkness where the faint illumination never leads to the source of light; the other toward the light, through the gate to the church. The only entrance to the church is through the fence. The slats glow white near the heart-shaped gate and form a cross where the path passes through. The trellis is covered with flowers and bittersweet vine, reminding us that the heart of true worship begins with the beautiful, bittersweet cross of Christ.