by Linda Veath Cox

Little boy praying with the Bible in handThey were shouting in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” … (T)hey all bowed down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying “Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength belong to our God forever and ever. Amen!”

~ Revelation 7:10-12, 15 NCV

As our pastor stood at the sanctuary door, waiting to shake our hands as we left Sunday worship service, the first person to greet him was one of the precocious twin boys who sits with his mom and brother in a back pew. The little boy ran through the door and by our pastor with his hands waving in the air, shouting loudly, “It’s over! It’s over!”

We can laugh about it—thankfully our pastor did—but, if we are all honest, we have most likely felt that way about our worship services a few times too. Especially when the service runs over and we have lunch plans with friends. Or a tee time at the golf course. Or the football game is about to start.

Worship is not a 60-minute activity. Nowhere does it say in the Bible that “worship cannot run longer than 60 minutes.” In fact, the people in Ezra’s day worshiped and listened to the reading of the law for hours at a time (Nehemiah 8:3). And Paul preached so long one night that poor Eutychus not only fell asleep, he fell out the window (Acts 20:9).

Nor does the Bible say we are limited to worship on Sunday only. We can worship God any day of the week or for any length of time. We can worship God as we gaze at His glorious creation. Or when we do dishes. We can worship God when cheering at a ball game. Or sitting quietly alone. And someday we will join the heavenly chorus as we worship God for all eternity.

Wherever, whenever, however we worship, our hearts and spirits are connected with God and His work of salvation in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. That makes worship a joy and a privilege. And something that we shouldn’t want to end.

Many things in this life will be over when they are over. But worshipping our Lord and Savior will NEVER be over. It will just go on and on forever.