Worship Is . . .

As odd as it may seem, I never really understood what worship is until the later years of my life. Most certainly I’ve spent many hours in what I’ll call ‘worship services’ in various churches throughout my entire life. So, how could I have not understood that worship is more about God than about me?

My typical reactions in times past to a worship service were one of the following… The preacher really gave a good sermon. The choir music was especially uplifting. The pianist or organist wowed the congregation. Or Ms. So and So’s testimony touched my heart. All the focus in my mind was on what I got from the experience. How far this is from what my true focus should have been!

Worship may involve the bowing of our head, the uplifting of our hands toward heaven, or the bowing of our knees before God—all certainly commendable. In fact, there are many portions of Scripture which instruct us to assume certain physical postures.

Psalm 95:6-7 is one of them. It says, “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Holy Bible New International Version (NIV) Copyright 2011.

But more importantly true worship is how our hearts and minds reach out to God in adoration, praise, and thankfulness for life, health, and strength.

Romans 12:1 goes even further in instructing us as to what makes our worship pleasing to God: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Holy Bible New International Version (NIV) Copyright 2011.

These Bible verses can guide us even when daily life is overshadowed by problems and difficulties. Even when health and strength are not the 100% we want.

If, through reading the words of this blog post today, you have sensed you need to change the way you practice and experience worship I hope you will do so. And may God bless you through this change.