LeBron and God

Being thankful is profound.  It sounds simple to give thanks or to be thankful for something or someone. 

The writer of the book of Hebrews says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire" (12:28-29).

Without thankfulness for who God is and what he has done for me, it is impossible to be reverent or in awe.  And, without reverence or awe, there can be no worship.  Old Testament language often uses the word "fear" rather than reverence and awe.  In the past I have struggled with "fearing" God.  Rather than being fearful that God is going to punch me in the mouth if I mess up, it is being respectful of His power, sovereignty, and wisdom.

I liken it to if I was a decent basketball player (which I am definitely not--wrestlers can foul, that's about it), and I was able to attend a free clinic with LeBron James.  First, I would be thankful that I could learn from one of the great players of our day.  I would also be in awe of his ability to shoot, jump, dunk, and dribble.  His sheer size would cause me to shrink back a bit.  I wouldn't be fearful, though, that he was going to kick me in the groin just because he was big and good.  That would be ridiculous.

Respecting his ability and being thankful for his wisdom and willingness to hang out with such a crummy player as myself, would allow me to learn from LeBron on the court.  Those that think they're as good as LeBron would not likely be thankful for his presence.  Certainly, that person's self-acclaimed and self-exalted skill would not allow him to learn from LeBron.

Obviously, there are a multitude of differences between LeBron and God.  Magnify this analogy infinitely, and we get a taste of how ridiculous it is that we do not revere or stand in awe of God.  God comes to me, a mere sinful human being, and allows relationship because of the person and work of Jesus.  His willingness to establish relationship with me invokes thankfulness on my part.  Recognizing his infinite power and wisdom causes acceptable worship.  I'm not afraid, but I am certainly in awe.

If Jesus is boring or just an add-on, then I'm probably not going to be thankful for him, and I most certainly won't revere or worship him.  The result?  I'll worship something else, and it will never satisfy.  In the end, it will let me down.  Only the God of the universe can satisfy me with the thing I was created to enjoy most:  Himself.