Bringing More Than A Song
“It’s who you are and how you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself — Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”
— John 4:23–24 (The Message Translation)
(Confession:) For most of my life, upon hearing the word “worship,” my mind would immediately center on music. I’m sure this revolves around classic language that the churches I grew up in would utilize weekly, but worship is profoundly more. Worship is the response (our words, actions) to the nature of God. Worship happens everywhere, and everything you do can be used to praise him.
“So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you — you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them. As a matter of fact, do everything that way, heartily and freely, to God’s glory. At the same time, don’t be callous in your exercise of freedom, thoughtlessly stepping on the toes of those who aren’t as free as you are. I try my best to be considerate of everyone’s feelings in all these matters; I hope you will be, too.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31–33 (MSG)
Worship happens when a barista in a local coffee shop extends a smile — while they create a tailor-made drink of art. Worship occurs when teachers celebrate moments of life with their students outside of the day’s planned lessons. Worship happens with a child’s eyes light up with the wonder of a new puppy. Worship happens while relaxing in a hammock, debriefing the day with your spouse over a glass of red wine, when meeting someone willing to listen to you, through the strokes of paint brushes in art, and through the shards of light within the sun’s rising and setting. Worship is happening everywhere — and we are called to worship.
As we begin this week, let’s expand our vision surrounding worship. Join me and read these scriptures as we extend our thoughts on worship:
Creativity: Moses told the Israelites, “See, God has selected Bezalel, son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. He’s filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things, to design and work in gold, silver, and bronze; to carve stones and set them; to carve wood, working in every kind of skilled craft. And he’s also made him a teacher, he and Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He’s gifted them with the know-how needed for carving, designing, weaving, and embroidering in blue, purple, and scarlet fabrics and in fine linen. They can make anything and design anything.” — Exodus 35:30–35 (MSG).
Exercise: “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you and develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:1–2 (MSG).
Serving Others: Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless — cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything — encores to the end of time. Oh, yes! — 1 Peter 4:10–11 (MSG).
Enjoying His Creation: So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love, I am living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; my arms wave like banners of praise to you. — Psalm 63: 3–4 (MSG).
Obedience: “Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices — empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship. — 1 Samuel 15:22 (MSG).
We were created to be in continuous worship, and worship is the essence of not only what we do but also who we are. I cannot wait to see how we grow in worship; let’s pray: Father, cause every day’s task to be a sacred ministry to you. However mundane our duties, for you, they are a sacrament. We give you all our thoughts and actions and ask that you take these gifts you’ve provided and create authentic places of community that connects us to your heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (based on words by Richard Foster.)
