Psalm 150 closes Israel’s book of worship with six verses that unpack the where, why, how, and who of praise. All of it points to the simple conclusion that when all is said and done, in the end, we praise.
The Fundamentals of Praise
Where does praise happen? In both the heavens above and God’s sanctuary below.
Why is there praise? Through the cross and empty tomb, Christ reconciled all things to himself.
How do we praise? With any instrument and, dare I say, expression that we can find.
Who praises? Anything that has the breath.
The End is Here
But this isn’t just for the close of the Psalter; it is also for the end of time as we know it, an end that begins with Easter.
Pause and reflect on that last line for a moment. At the end, there is praise for all of the things God has done, namely the reconciliation of all things, and the end begins with Easter.
I am curious how it feels to read that. Writing it is conflicting. It takes me back to my Advent series and wondering whether Christmas would ever come. The difference is that when we live in Advent, we find ourselves in a season of longing, waiting, and anticipation, while Easter is a season of actualization, manifestation, and embodiment.
To play with the instrument imagery from the Psalm, when we live in Advent, we long to hear the music, but when we live in Easter, we are part of the orchestra.
Where Are We?
That said, while both Advent and Easter are part of the broader spiritual experience and are seasons that express aspects of how we feel in our lives of faith, I think that most of us spend our lives living somewhere in between. In between, we aim to figure out what instrument we are here to play, learn how to play it, discover how to play well with others, and sort out the song we are all playing.
For me, that process has taken an array of forms over the last twenty-five years. There were my days as a youth pastor and then a pastor. Things took a hard turn as I sort of left that world and started my career in the world of footwear and outdoor recreation. There was even a season where, on the side, I engaged in political activism.
While some of those roles remain through my work at Xero Shoes and through my writing here at Abundance Reconstructed, officiating funerals, or occasionally preaching at the Sanctuary, these days a new primary expression is in development as I earn my certification as a holistic life coach.
A Guide As You Learn To Praise
In many ways, it brings together everything I have done to date, as I will help people on their journey from coping to healing to thriving by nurturing their spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health. As a holistic life coach, I will help people as they figure out what instrument they are here to play, learn how to play it, discover how to play well with others, and sort out the song we are all playing.
In the end, it is just a way to walk with people as they come to the end that begins with Easter, one where everything that has breath will praise the Lord.
If you would like to help me in my certification process, the thing I most need to engage in is practice discovery calls. They only take 30 minutes, and there is no obligation to buy (although there are great discounts on coaching packages if you sign up early). If you are willing to help me out, please sign up here.