Perhaps a bit odd, the Greek picture of the word “worship” is that of a dog licking its master’s hand. Yep, full out “worship” is like the love and obsession a dog has for its master. You know what it looks like – dogs can’t help but be obsessed and overwhelmed with joy, excitement, enthusiasm and the can’t-get-enough-of-you attitude. You can leave a dog alone for a mere two minutes and upon returning the dog reacts as if it has been a lifetime spent apart.
My friend Stephen has a cute little dog. I have said several times that if I were to ever get a dog, I would want one rather similar to Arktos. Stephen and Arktos share a special and rather unique bond. Stephen loves to hold Fox (a nickname for Arktos) and Fox loves to lick Stephen’s nose. I think it is a bit gross myself, but as I watch I have no doubt Fox is obsessed with love for his master. In fact, it can be understood as “worship.”
Can you imagine worshiping Jesus with the same passion and excitement a dog has for his master?!?! What if every moment of our every day was filled with a dog-like obsession for our Master? What if we continually lived in a dog-licking worshipful attitude?
Psalm 95.6 declares – “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..”
So come! let us WORSHIP the Lord with dog-licking passion!