Worship

Because I just have to talk about it . . .


Every time I watch this video clip, I can't help but laugh. Even though I think it's funny, I also recognize the seriousness of it.  Did she really say, “When you worship and obey God, we’re not doing it for God, we’re doing it for ourself, that’s what makes God happy!” Really?!?!?!

God has been dealing with me on the topic of worship at a time when I’ve been struggling with the whole church thing. We don't really have a church home right now and because of my husband’s crazy work schedule, it’s just been easier to stay home. Don’t get me wrong, I am still growing in the Lord, listening to online sermons and reading my Bible. Sometimes I just enjoy sleeping in on Sunday morning and then listening to an online sermon while cooking dinner for the kids. Other times I just want to head over to the mountains and enjoy what God has created and Sunday afternoon is really the only time Mike and I have to go hiking. This has been all well and good except I've been missing out on worship. Not that I can't worship on my own and I do even when I'm driving to work but I'm missing out on praise and worship with other believers. 

One of the pastors I enjoy listening to is Chris Hodges from Church of the Highlands in Birmingham. We enjoy visiting this church when we visit our son who lives in Birmingham. Coincidently, Pastor Hodges has preached the last three weeks on the topic of worship. These are a few statements from this sermon series. 
  • We all worship something, meaning we all show love to something. 
  • Love expressed is worship
  • Worship is how we connect with the God of the universe.
  • As we draw closer to Him, He draws closer to us. 
  • Worship is not a feeling. It's about giving God what He deserves.
That last one is my favorite. Psalms 50:8-15 tells us that God has everything He needs. "Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving." (vs. 14) Worship is giving God something He doesn't have. He wants us to be thankful, just like we want our children to be thankful. God doesn't want our religion, what He wants is a relationship with us. He loves us and wants us to love Him back. The way we show that love is by obedience but also through our praise and worship. 

The largest book in the Bible is the book of Psalms (Songs of Worship). We are to worship God and we are to do it His way whether we understand it or not. So what is His way? In Luke 19:37-40, they praised God joyfully with a loud voice, they were shouting! And Jesus says I like the loud praises. We get loud and excited at ball games or concerts so why don’t we get loud and excited at church?

We went to a great church last Saturday night and it was a little out of our comfort zone. The praise was loud! The band was loud and the worship team was jumping up and down as if they were leading a rock concert. Even though it was the complete opposite of the very traditional church we’ve been attending, I purposely kept my focus on God. It wasn’t about me being happy and if I liked the music or didn’t like the music, it wasn't about me being entertained, it was about God and giving Him the praise He deserves. I didn't go there to be a spectator, but I went to be a participant in worship. (Don't worry, I didn't jump around.)

 I just want to encourage you and encourage myself to truly worship God in a way that's comfortable for you and a way that's pleasing to God. Show your love to your heavenly father and don't worry about what anyone else might think. It's not about me and it's not about you, it's about God who is worthy of our praise and worship. 

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