Worship shapes us into the people God designed us to be. These devotions focus on the shape of worship, ten descriptions of a worshipper.

Transparency - Part 2
What do the following have in common? Jewelry, Shouting Children, and Trendy Clothes. You may be having flashbacks from a post-Thanksgiving shopping trip. But that’s not my point. These three things are all ways people try to get attention from others.

We like getting attention because it makes us feel good, valued, and important. “Look at me!” a child shouts. She wants her mom’s attention. A report is shared about a student’s poor behavior. He wants the world to notice him. Even as adults, we show up early, say the right worlds, wear the right clothes, and do everything we can to position ourselves so that the right person will pay attention to us.

We all want someone’s attention. Maybe it’s a spouse (or that special someone), a boss, a friend, a co-worker. Or maybe somehow we hope to be noticed by God. Yet being seen or recognized should not be our ultimate goal. God always sees you. He knew you before you were born. And his heart is deeply in love with you.

Jesus encouraged us when we pray that we can avoid showing off (like some people do) by talking with God is a more private location. “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6). Some secrets aren’t so bad.

After all, Christmas is the time of year for secrets. My wife Adrian wants to know what gifts I’m buying for her this year. A peculiar letter came in the mail from her mother to me with a special check. But Adrian doesn’t get the privilege of knowing why (until December 25).

If I was a king coming to announce my entrance into the world, I’d do something like the Count of Monte Cristo – fireworks, a hot air balloon, hand-painted invitations, drinks and dinner at a black tie affair. But the King above all kings, the one who we call the King of the Universe, showed up in a rather unusual way. He didn’t descend from on high in a cloud of blazing glory; he showed up in a place where the only room leftover for him was filled with stinky, dirty animals. The political leaders and wealthy dignitaries didn’t receive hand-made invitations. In fact, very few people knew this guy was royalty, even when he grew up. There was no feast, no special birthday attire, and no parade. This king made a secret entrance.

But some saw angles in the sky. Wise men saw a special star. And if King Jesus gets your attention this Christmas season, then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. Come, worship the king with me.

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