The Church

The church was quiet as we stepped into the back. A worshipper was sitting in one of the back pews, quietly meditating and having prayer. We had been walking the walking street, not that the street was walking, but we were walking on the street. I am always interested in stepping a church if the door is open. I have found this interesting since the days of visiting them in the heart of the former Soviet block. My small daughter and I then slipped into the back pew quietly looked around. The isle stretched forward at a slopping angle to the heart of the master peace, while the side walls naturally drew your eyes upwards to the ornate ceilings, reaching high over head. The walls, the scrolling artwork, the blue with gold trimmings, and the architectural lines spoke silently in the room of quiet awe. It has always been a fascination for me to see these edifices of worship. This one was Catholic I believe, at least it had pews to sit in, and a portico on the side for the minister to stand and minister to the people. My little girl expressed the mystery of how the minister was to arrive at the small balcony overlooking the side of the sanctuary. Mom explained that perhaps there was a stairway and a door, and I wonder what the minister says to the congregation? Does he speak words of truth? The worshiper that crossed himself as he entered, was he worshiping God or the edifice? Does he think that this is where God dwells? We left before he did, but did he exit with peace in his heart? My little lady asked me as we left, “Why is it so quiet in there?” I explained that some people worship God that way. They believe that they go to church to worship God, and so they have a quiet reverence. Among simple curiosity, the quietness, is one of the things which draw me to step into those ornate buildings. Paul writes about “will worship” and I wonder how much emptiness is found in empty worship for those who enter.

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Col 2:23)

I had to think of what Paul said;

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. (Act 17:23)

I was reminded of this verse while considering the worshipers who worship there. How many of the people who worship there know the true God who is able to deliver. As the saying says;

“A seeking soul and a Savior always meet.”

So, no matter where we are, God will meet us there if we seek Him with a true heart. Only God can see the content of the heart and can answer accordingly.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

Rzeszów, Poland