Worship. How can such a simple word cause so much contention in the body of Christ? It amazes me every week that we call the song portion of service “praise and worship”. Isn’t the entire service praise and worship? Is there a right way to worship, or a wrong way to worship? Someone is always unhappy at how “worship” went, while others walk away refreshed. I was touched this Sunday when a "worship" team member said God is teaching him that worship isn't about the music. Isn't that truth?
So this morning I looked up the definition of worship on dictionary.com and what struck me the most is that it lists worship as both a noun and a verb. As most of us know, a noun is a person, place or thing. I am a person (I am fearfully and wonderfully made) and I worship a Person (for the Lord is great and greatly to be praised!). As a verb, worship expresses action (shout to the Lord, sing to the Lord, lift up holy hands).
After reading the Word today, and several articles on worship, I have come to the final conclusion (as many others have before me) that worship is obedience. If I am obedient to His Word, I will pray, read the Scripture daily, give tithes and offerings, be kind, love others, and many other simple Christian principles. I may dance, I may twirl, I may lay face down on the floor, I may lift my hands, I may SHOUT, I may sing, or I may do nothing at all but sit in His presence. Why? Because the Bible tells me so and gives many examples of how others have worshipped Him before us.
However, If I listen to His voice and obey it, I may awaken in the wee hours of the morning with a burden to pray for someone. Sometimes I don’t even know the person He told me to pray for. When I get to heaven, I’m sure He will let me know how my prayers affected a person or situation. I have gotten in my car but taken an out-of-the-way route to my destination because God told me to. As a result of my obedience, I’ve avoided accidents which may have caused harm or death to me, my loved ones or others. I have passed someone on the streets of downtown Omaha and simply smiled at them because I felt Holy Spirit saying that person needed encouragement. As a result of being obedient, it’s opened doors to share the gospel. These are just a few simple examples of my personal tests of obedience.
Am I always obedient? No. And I have reaped the rewards of my disobedience many times. But I strive to be obedient in all things. (Thank God He’s not finished with me yet!) It takes an extreme faith to be obedient to Him. As a parent, I expect obedience; as my Father, God commands it.
'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. ' 1 Sam 15:22.
Obedience to Him is the highest form of worship.
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Great thoughts! I agree that music does not equal worship but it is a vehicle for it...as are the other things you mention.
ReplyDeleteWhen we are unhappy with "how worship went," etc that really helps us to see that the focus of worship is on US. Worship has nothing to do with US...when we worship something or someone it is all about THEM. It doesn't really matter at all how we thought it went...what does the One being worshiped think?
He has said that what He is looking for in worship is that we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth...when that happens I think He is pleased - regardless of whether we are on key or off key - or whatever.
For myself I find the two biggest hindrances to my worship in the corporate body are these: 1. Focusing on other people and what they are or are not doing and 2. Coming into the service unprepared in my own heart.
If God is seeking for Spirit and Truth worshipers, I want to be what He is seeking for!