According to a report on LinkedIn.com, Walmart plans to roll out 360 autonomous floor-scrubbing robots in some stores by the end of January.  The robots, equipped with an impressive array of sensors, can clean floors even when customers are around.

Walmart said it wants to automate tasks that are “repeatable, predictable and manual,” such as mopping the floors.  The stated goal is to give its employees more time to focus on higher-value work such as customer service and selling.  The company said the robots would not lead to a drop in headcount (human employees).  As robots continue to take over tasks that are repeatable, predictable and manual.  

In hearing this news, I rejoice that there is at least one task that a robot cannot do, that is to worship God!

The Christian Blogger, Aaron Armstrong, reminds us that the Greek and Hebrew translations of the word worship refer to bowing or kneeling to God.  Armstrong goes on to say that worship is best described an act of reverential deference.

“Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God.

You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me.”

(Lyrics from Hear I am to Worship written by Tim Hughes)

 

As we bow in worship, we can model our worship after the tasks given to the Walmart robots.  Our worship should be repeatable, predictable and manual. 

Repeatable Worship  

Our worship should be something that we do every day.  Hebrews 13:15 from the Easy to Read translation tells us:

“So through Jesus we should never stop offering our sacrifice to God.  That sacrifice is our praise, coming from lips that speak his name.”

Predictable Worship

While we serve a God whose actions and ways we cannot predict, our worship should be predictable.  We should have a predictable daily schedule of worship in our lives.  Daily prayer is an act of worship and obedience.  No other verse summarizes why we should pray daily better than  1st Thessalonians 5:16-18.

 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Manual Worship

Finally, worship is manual labor – this means that your worship cannot be farmed out to someone else.  Yes, while we may have “praying Grandmothers,” it up to each of us to praise and worship the Lord for ourselves.  Psalm 150 tells us to,

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

During funeral services this week for our 41st President, George H.W. Bush we were reminded that his first act as president was to utter a prayer during his inaugural address.

It began: “Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love.”

From a president to a pauper the Lord made us for worship. Let us follow the lead of President Bush and worship the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind. 

So, as robots continue to take over tasks that are repeatable, predictable and manual, I keep on rejoicing that worship is not a task for robots, but rather a task that God has given to his children.