As I walked down the hall to the rotunda, excitement filled the air. I listened as numerous languages met my ears. Almost as soon as we moved from the hallway to the pillared rotunda that housed perhaps the most important legal document in the history of the world, the talking ceased and everyone stood in silent reverence. That day, as I left the National Archives, I began to think.
How is it that we instinctively become reverent in the presence of a piece of parchment, and yet, when we enter the throne room of the Creator of the universe through worship, we fail to recognize His ompnipotence and awesome holiness? I have been guilty of the same sin. As I kneel in prayer, I allow my thoughts to wonder to the events of the day, or what is on my to do list, or even the hunger in my stomach. As I enter the sanctuary, I socialize and visit with friends. And yet, I treat the such menial things as the US Constitution and the flag of the United States with an almost undue reverence.
I imagine that this tendency may have something to do with the fact that worship is not a tanglible object like the Constitution or our flag. However, the Israelistes had a very similar struggle even though they had a very physical representation of the incredible power and holiness of God. When it came time to move the Ark of the Covenant, rather than following the guidelines given by God regarding its transportation, they threw it on the back of a cart pulled by oxen. Then, to make matters worse, Uz put his hand out and touched the Ark. Uz was so proud of his possition as a Levite, that he failed to ensure that he was treating the earthly throne of God with the care and reverence that God required. Could it be, that we have grown too comfortable with God's presence? Is it possible that a re-examination of our condition, a realization of our dependency upon the transformative power of God, and humble confession is what we need to regain our focus and our reverence for the presence of the Ruler of the universe? I pray that God will give me a proper respect for His holiness.
