Begin the day for the Lord. Begin with the reading of His Word, celebrating with a Psalm, meditating on the words of the Prophets, refined by the teachings of the Epistles. Begin with a song of praise, a joyful noise. Begin with prayer, speaking words of honesty and encouragement, seeking direction and clarity for the day ahead. Begin the day by fellowshipping together, breaking bread and gaining the sustenance needed for the day. Then go out and work well, praising through our actions, listening with our hearts, until the evening comes when we might return to rest.
What’s more, the daily ritual ought to be done together as a family, a community that seeks to live and reflect God in all of our work. Bonheoffer not only asks for the discipline of a morning routine, but of community. As if the discipline of arising an hour early each day to progress through a holy routine is nothing. Indeed, an hour of individual devotion each morning is easy compared to doing it as a community. When things get collective, they get messy.
I am a newly married man, learning to dance with my life through each days requirements. In the newness of this life, I am having a hard enough time disciplining myself to communicate clearly in fellowship with her, much less bring us together in unity before God. Our worship of our God is restrained to formal gatherings on Sundays, short prayers offered around meals, and occasional evenings before bed. Scripture is discussed on occasion as it applies to the circumstances before us, but rarely is it read together.
There is a dimension of spiritual life together that my wife and I have yet to learn. When it comes to traditional acts of spiritual devotion, we still hear different melodies and dance to our own rhythms. How do we take the busy lives before us and carve out the communal space necessary for family worship as Bonheoffer admonishes?
Since my college years, I’ve tried to foster the Presence of God amongst all the actions of my life: to be always worshipful. I’ve had good seasons when the Spirit’s guidance is steady and I am “in tune.” I’ve had bad seasons when fears and distractions crowd out any ability to perpetuate God’s peace. At this moment of re-settling into life in America and preparation for future ministry and work together, the battle between worship and worry rages. Worship calls me to surrender to God’s presence in trust and joy. Worry begs me to consider what is lacking and what can never be assured. Worship asks me to look ahead in anticipation of God’s glory and tutelage. Worry desires to cover my eyes with a lens of uncertainty that will lead me to further desires of personal control. I’ve felt the battle throughout moments of study, of writing, of driving, of class and work. As I am becoming more aware of them, I must choose to worship. Let His glory be evident in all.
Yet the greatest difference this season is that I am no longer alone. My battle for worship over worry and fear is connected to my wife. Her strength and weaknesses are, likewise, tied to me. As the year continues, my prayer is that our God given gifts continue to merge in such a way that worship becomes ever more present. I pray our individual melodies create harmony that glorifies God and reflects His favor, joy, and peace on us and our neighbors.
For that prayer to be fulfilled, we must learn to discipline ourselves. Mornings of intentionality in praise, Word, and prayer may seem far away, but small steps should be taken now before the waves of work and busyness wash in the months to come. Let us begin to pray through our morning routine. Let us remember some Scripture for our day. Let us try and make our new life together worshipful.
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