But First, To Build

 

And there he built

an altar to the LORD

and called upon

   the name of the LORD.

         Genesis 12. 8

(Wherever God leads us,

in whatever situation

   we find ourselves,

in our work,

in our joys and sorrows,

even in our wanderings

        or wonderings,

may we first build an altar

          and worship God.

Even when we don't understand

    why we are here,

  or what purpose can there be,

may we pitch our tents

and bring the name of Jesus there.

When we build an altar to God,

it radically changes what we do,

how we do it,

       and for Whom.

In securing the stakes of worship,

we see this place and situation

       as holy ground,

nothing random

but divinely appointed.)

O LORD,

May our first response to this day,

    or to this encounter,

    or to what is new,

              familiar or ordinary,

   be to worship You

        right where we are.

Help us to not just stop

    and acknowledge You,

but to build some kind

                of altar

to bring You glory

   in these 24 hours of moments

and write Your name

    at the top of the page.

We are Yours.

Nothing delights us more.