All about You…
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”
Psalm 29:2, ESV
Interesting comments I received during my season of leading corporate worship…
“I didn’t really like worship today.”
“Worship was way too long.”
“Hymns are boring, do we have to sing so many?”
“My ears are still ringing from the volume of that guitar.”
Or the one that still baffles me.
A woman, I had never met, approached me and said, “I am so glad you let your hair grow, it helps me worship better.”
I smiled politely and mumbled, “thank you, glad to be of service.”
May I let you in on a little secret?
If any of those items are your singular focus of worship, you have missed the point.
Worship by definition, whether used as a noun or verb, is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration.
In seminary, it was explained this way - anything or anyone to whom we ascribe “worth-ship” is where our worship lies.
In essence any expression of worth to a Sovereign God, is worship.
I fear, occasionally the church misses a teaching opportunity when we equate worship with “music only.”
Or as an activity that takes place just on Sundays with the right acoustics, vocals, and lighting etc.
Far too often we compartmentalize aspects of our corporate gatherings.
When in reality, worship should be an everyday objective for the Christ follower.
While we each have unique tasks set before us in this life, we share one important calling: to glorify God in everything we do.
It’s why we are here.
Scripture communicates that God created us for His glory (Isaiah 43:7) and instructs us to “do everything for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Whether we are in a classroom, working outside the home, sitting in a pew, caring for our family, or preaching from a stage - our purpose as Christ followers should be to exemplify a life of worship. Rather than merely checking off an obligatory box, one day a week.
In order to adopt this mindset, we must understand that God is the subject of our worship.
Biblical worship is about God, the subject.
Likewise, God is the object of a believer's praise. As beings created in His image, our objective is to attribute reverence, awe, and surrender to a deserving Creator.
Worship is not a matter of style preference, manufacturing an aesthetic, or anything that removes the focus from the subject being worshiped.
While we are instructed to participate in worship, individually and corporately, our intention for both remains the same.
When it comes to ascribing worth to our Savior, we are the vessels through which worship is expressed.
Just like the Samaritan woman was informed in the gospel of John, Jesus is calling us to be true worshipers.
“But a time is coming, and even now has arrived, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24, NASB
We become lifestyle worshippers when we bring God honor and glory with our lives.
We accomplish this by loving our neighbor as Jesus instructed, (Mark 12:28-31), producing fruit as evidenced by the Holy Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23), and imitating Christ in every area of our lives. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
We become lifestyle worshippers by putting God on display in the manner in which we think, speak, and interact with others. (Galatians 5:25)
We become lifestyle worshippers by submitting to Christ every day, in solitary activities and in public view. (Titus 3:1-8)
We become lifestyle worshippers by pursuing a life worthy of the unique calling we have received. (Proverbs 19:21, Ephesians 4:1)
Finally, we become lifestyle worshippers by recognizing that God alone deserves the glory, and acknowledging His worthiness of such esteem. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I invite you to join me, in studying these passages, dear reader, asking God to reveal His truth. May we shift our perspective of worship from self to the object and subject worthy of praise.
Lord, thank you for your word and the many outlets we have been given to express our adoration. As we seek to live a life of worship, help us to understand that it encompasses more than a song. May we choose daily to ascribe worth to you, our most deserving Savior.
In Jesus Name,
Amen