Growing up in Hamburg, Arkansas, I learned to swim in the Crossett City Pool. Our parents took turns shuttling a carload to Crossett during the summers. As we plied in the car, sometimes 7 or 8 of us, our bathing suits were rolled up in our towels with the ends inserted so it would not fly open.

As we paid our small fee, I think it was a quarter, we got our basket to store our clothes that had a corresponding number & safety pin we attached to our suit. Once changed there was only one way to enter the pool area, through the disinfectant pool walkway. The walkway was about 3 feet wide and 5 feet long with ankle deep chlorine water. Obviously, they took into consideration human nature when they designed the pool because there were only 2 ways to enter the pool area, through the disinfectant walkway or through the office.

One of the things I learned on my trip to Israel was about the ceremonial cleansing pools before going to worship. In fact, once there were pools at the base of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem where the people used to prepare their hearts for worship. Following the ceremonial cleansing they would climb the steps reciting Psalms 120–134, often called the Psalms of Ascent.

Today, we sleep late, then rush to get cleaned up, dressed and hopefully get to church before the singing stops. On some Sunday’s we might have an argument with our kids, our spouse or scream at the cars holding us back from getting to the church on time.

Thank goodness the Pastor projects the Bible verses on the screen. For some “busy” people this may be the only scripture they read that week. As we sit in church, because we are so busy, thoughts creep into our minds about the things we must do this week, the unresolved family issues, and who we are meeting for lunch after church. You check the time and think, “Pastor you need to wrap this up! He’s running over time.”

Think about how far we have drifted from worshipping God. Our hearts & minds are not prepared.

Now ponder these two scriptures.

• “Come close to God and He will come close to you.” James 4:8
• “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

As you ponder these verses, count your Blessings. Remember what He has done. Worship is not an activity…it’s a relationship.

Before this Sunday, what “choices” can you make that will draw you closer to Him?