I’ve always wondered why in the world God wants us to worship Him.

It never quite made sense to me that a loving God would possess an ego so big that He’d ask His kids to fall down at his feet.

But then, one day, I heard an analogy that made at least a bit of sense. And then, like a toddler with a set of building blocks, I kicked down and rebuilt that analogy — using my own experience — to make even more sense…if only to me. I pray it makes sense to you, too. If it does, there’s a sliver of a chance that it might change your life.

The Bricklayer

My dad once had a friend named Pete. Pete was a bricklayer, one of the best in the state. He was a great guy, too.

Pete built his daughter a beautiful, red brick house. A house he hoped she’d live in and enjoy for the rest of her life. A forever house.

But why did Pete build his daughter a house in the first place?

Because he loved her, of course! He wanted her to live in a beautiful, safe, comfortable home.

And for building her that house, what did he hope to get in return?

Embrace Your Home

First, he wanted her to live in the house. He wanted her to make it her home and enjoy it.

In the same way, God wants us to enjoy our lives and everything He’s created for us. He delights when we take long walks among the falling autumn leaves, lie in the grass and imagine the clouds are actually floating animals, and start snowball fights with our kids! When we enjoy God’s creation, while remembering that He created it out of His love for us, we’re actually worshiping Him.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of His Hands.” (Psalm 19:1)

Appreciate It

Second, Pete hoped his daughter would thank him for building her a house. While he didn’t request appreciation, he did desire it. It made him feel her love.

God also loves it when we show Him our appreciation for all He gives us. We do this by thanking Him through prayer, singing, meditation, and a multitude of other methods. If you drafted a love letter for your significant other, don’t you think he or she would appreciate it?

“I will thank you forever for what you have done.” (Psalm 52:11)

Care for It

Third, Pete hoped his daughter would care for the house…that she’d keep it just as beautiful as it was when he built it.

God created the Earth, including the people and animals who live on it. He wants us to cultivate the Earth and care for the animals and each other. The environment isn’t just a buzzword…it’s the home that God designed and built for us. Protecting rainforests, loving our pets, and even harvesting from the land all show Him that we care for the home He gave us.

“God blessed them and God said to them: Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that crawl on the earth. God also said: See, I give you every seed-bearing plant on all the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the wild animals, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the earth, I give all the green plants for food. And so it happened.” (Genesis 1:28-30)

Commune with Him

Fourth, Pete longed for his daughter to invite him to dinner. Soon after she moved in, his daughter invited him to dine with her and her husband every Sunday evening. This was only made possible by the sacrifices that Pete madeto build her house.

God loves it when we commune with Him and each other over meals—particularly when we do so every Sunday while sharing His meal during Mass…a meal made possible by His sacrifice. Bread and wine, Body and Blood. The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.

“Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.” (Acts 2:46-47)

Invite Him to Live with You

Fifth, after Pete’s daughter and her husband had settled into their lives in the house, they did something extraordinary. They invited Pete to live with them.

What father wouldn’t long for his kids to love him so much that they’d want him to live with them? Pete’s daughter’s love for him must’ve overflowed for her to want to share every day of her life with him. Pete was thrilled!

He’d built his daughter’s house out of his love for her. She invited him in out of her love for him.

Our Heavenly Father feels the same way. He loves us so much that He built us a home. He then sacrificed Himself to give us the opportunity to invite Him in. To share our lives with Him. To allow Him to dwell in our homes.

Inviting God, the only perfect Father, into our lives is the ultimate way we worship Him.

“I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:19-20)

Worship Him

Pete’s daughter showed her love for her imperfect but loving father by enjoying, thanking, caring, communing, and living with him. He deserved it and loved it!

How much more so does our perfect Heavenly Father deserve our worship? Not only did He build our home, but He continues to provide for us every day! He loves us so much that He gave up His own Son to ensure we can live with Him!

That is why we should worship Him…not just on Sundays, but in all we do.

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Image: Photo by Terren Hurst on Unsplash