By Jeff Scoggins

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” —Psalm 122:1

This January my family and I left the cold and snow of Minnesota for a week’s vacation in Florida. We went to soak up the sun not to let Disney World soak our pockets. But SeaWorld, as expensive as it was, sounded interesting. We had heard of trained whales, dolphins, birds, and so on, and finally we decided to visit. We weren’t disappointed. There were enough animals having fun with humans to keep our boys in wonder for hours.

The biggest attraction at SeaWorld was Shamu the Orca whale(s). But there was only one show per day, so we planned for it. We visited the other animals that were in close proximity to Shamu’s theater until about an hour before the program. It was then that we noticed a surge in the number of people going in one direction.

“Maybe we should go now to be sure we get a seat,” I suggested. So we merged with the masses heading for Shamu. When we arrived the line before the unopened doors was already stretching out. Obviously this was going to be a great show.

Becky and I took the boys to see another exhibit nearby while my parents held a place in line. When they had found seats my dad called me on my phone to tell me where they were. We rushed to the stadium and scanned the large crowd until we spotted my dad waving from mid-way up the stands.

Finally all got quiet and on the huge screen appeared a moving tribute to service men and women. Tears jerked from people’s eyes as they honored America’s heroes.

Then the music started and the show began. As the crowd cheered, the performers swam, dived, and skied; the whales leaped out of the water, did tricks, and splashed the crowd. My boys were thunderstruck. I never once had to tell them to pay attention or be still. And it never occurred to me that I should have to.

Suddenly, the music changed. Drums began pounding and the whale trainers each ran to a section of the bleachers and started stirring up the crowd. Quickly everyone began to follow their lead in time with the drums. Clap, clap, raise hands, shout “Shamu!” Clap, clap, raise hands, shout “Shamu!”

Oddly, it all reminded me of the temple scene of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Startled by the thought I tore my eyes away from the action and looked at the crowd. That’s when it dawned on me what we were doing. We were worshiping! True, we were worshiping performers, whales, and soldiers, but all the elements of true worship were there, including the hearts and souls of the people.

We are made to worship, and if we don’t fulfill that inner drive in the worship of God we will find other ways to fill it. That’s why celebrities are followed with such god-like devotion.

I admit, I enjoyed the worship experience the creators of Shamu provided. I admit that I enjoyed it more than many worship services. You see, I don’t remember the last time I joined a crowd moving toward church, anxious to find a seat before they were all gone. I must think hard to remember the last time the worship service was choreographed, practiced, and executed beautifully. I don’t remember the last time someone put together a moving tribute to God or even to frontline missionaries that jerked tears from the crowd. I don’t remember the last time that delighted and happy people shouted out praises to God at the top of their lungs.

No, we save all of that for SeaWorld—and, I’m sure, heaven. But the truth is we don’t have to wait. “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” —Psalm 122:1