Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the LORD.
Psalm 103:22
What if we were surrounded by praise. All the time. From every little no-see-um nano-quark, to every atom of every molecule. And what if the praise came in every form imaginable - and unimaginable. What if it came through the medium of any or all of our senses - sound, sight, smell, touch, and taste. Praise for our God - Creator of the Universe and all that's in it.
All. Not just the little bit that we recognize.
All. Not the little bit more that we theorize.
All.
Imagine the universe overflowing with praise. Extravagant, bursting, rampant praise.
What if the rivers of our lives, our timelines with drama unfolding at every bend and turn, at every turbulent set of rapids or waterfall, and in every shallow pool and glassy meander, what if they are really silvery threads woven into a tapestry of praise. What if the seasons are praise-threads of time - autumn colored, and green and white. What if change itself is a form of praise to the God and Maker of all change?
We were made to praise God - created for His Glory. What if everything was made to praise God. What if we were just a small part of a community of praise? A tiny percentage. Our infinitesimal particles of praise part of a universe community.
What if our own fellowship, our relationship with one another was its own form of praise? Would it change our actions? Would it change our words? Would it change our world?
Wouldn't our lives become holy - because we would be making a gift of them to God. Our lives lived in praise of Him? He is awesome. He is just. He is loving. He is jealous. He is wise. He is gracious and forgiving. He is all-knowing and all-powerful. Comforter. Healer. Provider. Redeemer. The First and the Last. The Three-in-One. HE IS.
And He lives in our praise. But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel. IN IT! Imagine that. And he IS our praise. He is your praise and He is your God. Love Him, cherish Him, pursue Him with praise.
Not just when you're happy. Not just when you need Him. Not as a trade for a favor. Not just because you're in the mood. Not just when the program says so. Not just when the right hymn plays. With every breath a praise.
Imagine yourself - in cahoots with the universe - overflowing with praise. Extravagant, bursting, rampant praise.
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.
You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.
