This isn’t 1 Peter, and it isn’t exactly a newsletter. Last week I attended a workshop where we discussed ways to make our newsletters more interesting for you. You’re invited to join the conversation—simply reply to this email with ideas for what you’d like to see and read and I’ll respond.
In keeping with my general theme of walking through life with God, 
I’ll share snippets of conversations with God on recent morning walks. It started with reflections on a talk at church. In the context of modern-day idols, the speaker asked, “what is one thing you cannot live without?” This isn’t in reference to survival: air, water, food, shelter.
God asks, can you live without _____?
The real question is can we live without God? Here’s one lay pastor’s answer:
“I have a hard time living an hour without thinking of, or being with, God. I would cease to have any purpose without God. That would be a mess. Even if I was locked up in a box, and deprived of water, food, and companionship I would not be abandoned, I would not be alone. God would sustain me. For He is with me and has promised never to leave me, and He never has, even when I’ve gone off and done my own thing. He is faithful even when we aren’t…. I cannot imagine a minute without God. His presence is everything, the cares and concerns and demands, and the things of this world are nothing. … I can have peace even on death’s doorstep…. After knowing Christ, I would not want to live five minutes without Him.” (Brad Riggs, May 22, 1997)
If we say we cannot live without _____, what would we substitute if we lost that thing or activity or person? For example, in the absence of a “job,” I would substitute quilting or reading or writing. Any of these I could replace with Bible study or prayer, but will I?
We may say we cannot live without a significant person in our life. Even if that person remains in our life, he or she may disappoint us. People fail but God is faithful and will never let us down.
The second talk in the series at church mentioned the idea of “sacred rhythm”—practices that help us shift our focus from the world and its empty entertainment to God. To remove an “idol”—even in biblical times—one must replace it with another object of worship.
Both in the church and without, lately we hear about pursuing dreams, even good things that perhaps relate to gifts from God. This line of thought feels like the latest arrow from the enemy, an arrow I might label “the dream culture.”
If we look closely at His Word, we see life is about pursuing God.
“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 105:4).
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
In the midst of my current living and writing about serving (not a path I ever thought I’d walk), I saw a meme about this—paraphrased. When asked what we would do on our last day on earth, we might consider a last meal or person we want to see or thing we want to do. Jesus knew exactly when His last moments would be, and He washed feet. That says to me we will be serving wherever God has placed us in that moment, up until the very end. This idea has been confirmed in conversations with people who face day-to-day health issues, job stuff, major medical events, etc. Many of us know at some level at least part of God’s purpose for our life. Even if we don’t, we know God created us to worship Him.
“The people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise” (Isaiah 43:21).
“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12).
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).
Which brings this reflection full circle.
The Lord alone is worthy of our worship.
I wonder what would happen if we approached our “I don’t know what to do next” moments in this context. When we don’t know what else to do, when we’re waiting for God’s guidance direction, we can always worship Him.
*What is your favorite way to worship God?
*How do the gifts, abilities, and experiences He has given you lend themselves to worship of Him?
*How can we worship while we wait?