The Discipline and True Worship
Robotics is a fascinating field. I observed robotic firsthand during my recent visit to the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. My very close, good, and wonderful friend picked up his personally built Corvette at the plant upon its completion. (I hope he reads this and someday lets me drive it!) I met him and his wife for the “birth”.
He had been down a couple of weeks earlier to walk it through the plant. Along the 8-hour walk, he was able to get many of the workers to sign their work as it passed through their venue. I, too, was able to take a 2 to 3 hour tour of the plant. It was an incredible experience to see the initial stages of the various parts coming together.
The most fascinating part was watching as the two independent parts came together at the end of the journey through the plant. Robotics guided the completed upper shell, suspended from a conveyor system above, onto the completed chassis and drive train riding on another conveyor system below. The two parts merged. They were lowered to the floor like a plane coming in for a landing.
Robotics makes it possible for the plant to operate the way that it does. The robots do exactly what they are programmed to do. But, robots would not make good children. Do we want our children simply, without emotion or care, to do exactly as they are told or do we want them to exhibit emotion as they honor us with their submission? God does not want robots for children for He did not make us that way.
Jesus said to the woman at the well, “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23). God does not want robotic worship, that is, external motion only. He wants internally generated worship from His children and that demands discipline.
We can understand discipline well when we think about family life. What do you suppose would be the result if a set of parents purposely decided not to discipline their child? What kind of person would that boy or girl turn out to be? Would he or she have any friends? Would this child be able to live in society in any kind of acceptable way? Discipline in worship means I will have the proper attitude and actions when worshipping God. The time of worship is a time of reverence and awe. It is a time for me to approach God in gratitude and thanksgiving.
Worship is a group activity. My actions affect the atmosphere of worship for everyone else. If I am unattentive and busy passing notes or whispering to others, those around me will be distracted. If I do not sing and bow in prayer, those around me will not be encouraged to do the same. Life demands discipline. Worship demands discipline. Discipline is personal. It is my job to discipline myself so as not to be a distraction for others. Discipline leads to true worship where God is glorified (Acts 4:24), I am purified (James 4:8), we are unified (Hebrews 10:24-25), and the world is evangelized (I Corinthians 14:23-25).
— Mike Johnson
