Marine Moments

Sometimes you just have to stop and worship! Today, it was the sun that stopped me in my tracks to stand in awe and gratitude. It blazed from a clear blue sky, warm and soft, bathing me in light. After the long dark winter days and even longer and darker evenings, this felt like a magic moment – at last the sun and its heat returns!

To spend a moment worshipping the sun does not mean anything other than taking the moment to give thanks, to accept with gratitude and bathe in that feeling of connection that the act of worshipping brings: It is about building a relationship with the environment or the deity behind the creation the environment – either way, it is a personal act of communion with life itself.

Did you know?

The word ‘worship’ undoubtedly has religious significance. The Collins Cambridge dictionary defines it as, ‘ to have or show a strong feeling of respect and admiration for God or a god.’ Synonyms include, ‘revere’, ‘venerate’ and ‘adore’. The word originates from the Bible.

Worship to all Christians is a response to the work of God. One of the first acts of worship is in Genesis 24:26-27. The servant of Abraham was asked to go find a wife for Abraham’s son Isaac. When the Lord showed up and brought Rebekah to the servant, it is recorded that, “Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham…’” Psalm 29:2 says. “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendour of His Holiness.” And when Jesus came along he said (John 2:24), ““God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” Jesus defines worship as involving Spirit and truth.

In Hebrew the word ‘worship’ is thus:

שָׁחָה

In Hebrew the word ‘worship’ provides greater insight into its meaning. The first symbol (hey) means to behold, to look up, or to pay attention to what follows. The second symbol (chet) is the picture of the place of protection or refuge; the sanctuary or the inner room. The third symbol is to press down or bow low. So the full meaning of the word in Hebrew is, ‘as we humble ourselves before God, He safely draws us close and builds a relationship with us.’

A Reflection

To build a personal connection with our natural environment is vital to guide us in being able to live within its means – even more apparent in these days of global climatic instability. Whether we make that connection through a bountiful God, or through meditation on the majesty of our environment is a personal choice. But to miss out on bowing low in humble appreciation of the sunshine warming our face and lighting up our days would be a pity.

The sound of the beach

Listen to the waves, the wind and the mingle of human voices as they share the space together. We are all one.