Popcorn Praise

Written by Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Remember the way we used to pop popcorn? I’m not talking about Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popcorn. I’m not even talking about those shake and bake pans of Jiffy Pop. I mean when we had to pop it in a metal pot on the stove. You’d place about a quarter cup of popcorn kernels in a deep pot, add a little oil, and turn up the heat. You didn’t want to forget to put a lid on the pot or you’d have popcorn all over the top of the stove.

 

Off you would go about your business, reading a book, washing the dishes, stoking the fire or watching television. Soon you would hear a noise that was unmistakable. It was the luscious sound of a popcorn kernel exploding, shooting skyward only to be stopped by the lid of the pot. No sooner had you heard the first pop, and then you would hear a second, a third and then the explosive release of what might be mistaken as machine gun fire. You would glance over at the stove and pray that the bouncing and clanging lid of the pot wouldn’t come off. Eventually the repetitive pops would gradually subside and you would remove the pot from the stove as you heard the last few solitary kernels finally release from their hard shell.

 

Remember taking off the lid and smelling that hot popcorn which begged for a baptism of that thick butter we all like so much. You’d pour the popcorn into a large bowl being careful not to allow the “old maids” to follow. Yes, we’ve all noticed old maids in our popcorn batches, even the high tech gourmet batches we now make. These are the kernels of corn that refuse to be affected by the hot oil. If you are like me, sometimes you try to save all the old maids and attempt to get them to pop, a hopeless cause. There’s something about those hardened kernels of rebellion that just don’t want to respond to the hot stimulating oil. We’ll learn a little later how even they can be converted to the fold of tasteful popcorn.

 

Pardon my analogy, but in some ways church worship services are like popping popcorn. All the people (kernels of corn) come into the church (the pot). They take their appropriate places as they sit and anticipate the Spirit of God (hot oil) moving within them. Just as popcorn wouldn’t exist without the kernels of corn responding to the hot oil, worship doesn’t take place unless we, God’s worshipers, respond to the Holy Spirit.

 

But popping popcorn doesn’t begin in the kitchen and preparation for worship doesn’t begin in the church five minutes before the service starts.

 

One thing we take for granted whenever we make popcorn is that a lot of preparation goes into preparing popcorn kernels. Popcorn kernels come from corn specially planted for that purpose. We may have gourmet popcorn today scientifically treated and genetically engineered, but even in the old days certain types of corn were preferred for popcorn kernels. Corn is harvested, cleaned, packaged and sometimes spices are added to give flavor.

 

Just like the corn used for popcorn God selects us for the purpose of worshiping Him. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we now begin the lifelong journey of worshiping our Creator. God works through our everyday life to demonstrate His provision, His love, His care and His challenges. All our experiences through the week prepare us for the worship that takes place when we gather corporately to worship our Heavenly Father. In order to be responsive worshipers, we need to prepare ourselves for worship on Sunday by worshiping our Lord through the week.

 

Not everyone who enters a church worships, and not every kernel of popcorn pops. Just as there are “old maids” in popping popcorn, there can be “old maid worshipers” as well. While we may often think we can identify them, only God knows who they are.

 

Sometimes those we think are “old maid worshipers” are those who don’t raise their hands or appear to be unresponsive. While outward signs of expression can reveal a worshiper’s heart, they are not always accurate. Sometimes a quiet, reserved individual may actually be exploding with praises to the living God in their heart.

 

Possibly even those who get rather emotional, dance around and raise their hands so high we think they may come out of the sockets may be “old maid worshipers.” Sometimes dramatic physical expression in worship can be a show in an attempt to impress or convince others present that they are more spiritual than they really are.

 

God knows our hearts and worship He accepts comes from an honest and true spiritual heart. In John 4:24 Jesus tells the woman at the well and us that, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” God has an eye for those who worship Him in both spirit and truth. He can tell who comes prepared to worship, because they have lived with Him through the week.

 

So what can God do with these “old maid worshipers?” Possibly the answer is the same as for the “old maids” we end up with when we make popcorn? In order for “old maids” left over from popping popcorn to be revived and capable of responding to the hot oil they need to be re-hydrated with water.

 

“Old maid worshipers” need the same thing. They need to be re hydrated with the living water that only Christ our Lord can give (John 4:10). “Old maid worshipers” have lost their first love for their Savior and have quenched the Holy Spirit in their daily lives. They need to seek God and allow the Holy Spirit to fill them as they live out their daily lives. God will move in us and through us when we seek to be used by Him. When we allow Him to fill us with His living water, we can come to the worship service on Sunday and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

 

Are you an “old maid worshiper?” Seek God. Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you with His presence. Desire to serve your Lord through the week. Come to worship with an expectant and prepared heart to praise and worship the majestic and loving God we serve.