Popcorn Praise
Written by
Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© July 4,
2002
Remember the way we used to pop
popcorn? I'm not talking about Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popcorn. I'm not even talking about those shake and
bake pans of Jiffy Pop. I mean when we had to pop it in a metal pot on the
stove. You'd place about a quarter cup of popcorn kernels in a deep pot, add a
little oil, and turn up the heat. You didn't want to forget to put a lid on the
pot or you'd have popcorn all over the top of the stove.
Off you would go about your
business, reading a book, washing the dishes, stoking the fire or watching
television. Soon you would hear a noise that was unmistakable. It was the
luscious sound of a popcorn kernel exploding, shooting skyward only to be
stopped by the lid of the pot. No sooner had you heard the first pop, and then
you would hear a second, a third and then the explosive release of what might
be mistaken as machine gun fire. You would glance over at the stove and pray
that the bouncing and clanging lid of the pot wouldn't come off. Eventually the
repetitive pops would gradually subside and you would remove the pot from the
stove as you heard the last few solitary kernels finally release from their
hard shell.
Remember taking off the lid and
smelling that hot popcorn which begged for a baptism of that thick butter we
all like so much. You'd pour the popcorn into a large bowl being careful not to
allow the "old maids" to follow. Yes, we've all noticed old maids in
our popcorn batches, even the high tech gourmet batches we now make. These are
the kernels of corn that refuse to be affected by the hot oil. If you are like
me, sometimes you try to save all the old maids and attempt to get them to pop,
a hopeless cause. There's something about those hardened kernels of rebellion
that just don't want to respond to the hot stimulating oil. We'll learn a
little later how even they can be converted to the fold of tasteful popcorn.
Pardon my analogy, but in some
ways church worship services are like popping popcorn. All the people (kernels
of corn) come into the church (the pot). They take their appropriate places as
they sit and anticipate the Spirit of God (hot oil) moving within them. Just as
popcorn wouldn't exist without the kernels of corn responding to the hot oil,
worship doesn't take place unless we, God's worshipers, respond to the Holy
Spirit.
But popping popcorn doesn't begin
in the kitchen and preparation for worship doesn't begin in the church five
minutes before the service starts.
One thing we take for granted
whenever we make popcorn is that a lot of preparation goes into preparing
popcorn kernels. Popcorn kernels come from corn specially planted for that
purpose. We may have gourmet popcorn today scientifically treated and
genetically engineered, but even in the old days certain types of corn were
preferred for popcorn kernels. Corn is harvested, cleaned, packaged and
sometimes spices are added to give flavor.
Just like the corn used for
popcorn God selects us for the purpose of worshiping Him. When we accept Jesus
as our Savior we now begin the lifelong journey of worshiping our Creator. God
works through our everyday life to demonstrate His provision, His love, His
care and His challenges. All our experiences through the week prepare us for
the worship that takes place when we gather corporately to worship our Heavenly
Father. In order to be responsive worshipers, we need to prepare ourselves for
worship on Sunday by worshiping our Lord through the week.
Not everyone who enters a church
worships, and not every kernel of popcorn pops. Just as there are "old
maids" in popping popcorn, there can be "old maid worshipers" as
well. While we may often think we can identify them, only God knows who they
are.
Sometimes those we think are
"old maid worshipers" are those who don't raise their hands or appear
to be unresponsive. While outward signs of expression can reveal a worshiper's
heart, they are not always accurate. Sometimes a quiet, reserved individual may
actually be exploding with praises to the living God in their heart.
Possibly even those who get rather
emotional, dance around and raise their hands so high we think they may come
out of the sockets may be "old maid worshipers." Sometimes dramatic
physical expression in worship can be a show in an attempt to impress or
convince others present that they are more spiritual than they really are.
God knows our hearts and worship
He accepts comes from an honest and true spiritual heart. In John 4:24 Jesus
tells the woman at the well and us that, "God is spirit, and his
worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." God has an eye for
those who worship Him in both spirit and truth. He can tell who comes prepared
to worship, because they have lived with Him through the week.
So what can God do with these
"old maid worshipers?" Possibly the answer is the same as for the
"old maids" we end up with when we make popcorn? In order for
"old maids" left over from popping popcorn to be revived and capable
of responding to the hot oil they need to be re‑hydrated with water.
"Old maid worshipers"
need the same thing. They need to be re‑hydrated with the living water that
only Christ our Lord can give (John 4:10). "Old maid worshipers" have
lost their first love for their Savior and have quenched the Holy Spirit in
their daily lives. They need to seek God and allow the Holy Spirit to fill them
as they live out their daily lives. God will move in us and through us when we
seek to be used by Him. When we allow Him to fill us with His living water, we
can come to the worship service on Sunday and worship Him in spirit and in
truth.
Are you an "old maid
worshiper?" Seek God. Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you with His
presence. Desire to serve your Lord through the week. Come to worship with an
expectant and prepared heart to praise and worship the majestic and loving God
we serve.