Respect: Honor, admiration, preference, esteem, high regard, courtesey, friendship, reverence, value, obedience, deference,
Extravagant: Unrestrained, reckless, over the top, lavish, exorbitant, profuse, ecessive, unrestrained.
Why put these two together? In a study on worship this evening at church, "Extravagant Respect" was given as a definition of "Worship". I hope that I can bring this thought with me in my next prayer time, Bible study or to my next worship service.
]]>My first response when I see that definition is to think about the latin roots of "extravagant". You've got "extra", meaning beyond or outside. And then the third person plural of "vago", literally: they roam or wander. Like on a voyage.
The implication is that the giver of respect actually spends a great deal of time journeying and meandering in the act of respect, actually investigation previously unknown ways to show respect or reasons to show it. It's a form of exploration or leisure.
That's actually a pretty attractive definition, even for a skeptic, because it implies discovery and relationship between the worshipper and the worshipped one, not simply "bowing down" in submissive unquestioning awe.
]]>Another thing that really struck me is the oxymoron like quality of this phrase. Extravance as unrestrained, over the top and respect as restrained, quiet and humble.
It's made me consider my 'church time' in new ways. Should I be planning to talk to so-and-so about getting together this week? Should I really come to church thinking I need to make sure I get a babysitter for Friday night? Should I bring some trinket that I've been meaning to give to what's-her-name? If Extravagant Respect is what I've come to practice, I don't think so.
]]>