The Heart of Worship

I am an unabashed New York Mets fan. I express my love for the Mets through wearing the team colors, my ringtone on my phone- my tag on my car. Now, maybe you can relate to that sports passion with the Braves or UGA, or in other things like Star Wars or horses .

How about your love for God? Do you carry that same enthusiasm, when you come to church or throughout the week? When we come together, we want to show God how much we love Him- for what He has done in our lives through Jesus. The times when He has guided us through a dark period in our life. The grace He has shown us. The fact that He gave us His son, Jesus- to die on the cross for us. We have a Heavenly Father that wants to do life with us- have a relationship with us.

Worship is our time to give God the honor that is due Him, recognizing His worth, His value, His place in our church, and His claim on our lives. Worship isn’t just about the music. It involves so much more.

Worship occurs when people encounter God. Worship can take place anywhere. When we worship, we come with an agenda: to meet with God. But when we come to meet with Him- to be in His presence, during that time of worship, He also comes to meet with us. He wants to speak into our lives. Worship is also a way we can connect other to God.

So what does worship look like? We can look at the cross for the example-

First is the vertical- the celebration-

In Psalm 40:1-3, David sings-

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

    and put their trust in him.

David had an experience with the Lord. God had rescued him and refreshed him. He was changed. And, he couldn't be silent about it. He sung praise to God "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God" (Psa. 40:3). David was exuberant in song and praise. David’s singing in the psalms was praise-filled - it was worship. So there is that vertical connection of the cross- between us and God.

Then there is the horizontal dimension. Go back to verse three, where David said, "Many will see (that is, know God's presence) and fear (or revere and be awed by him) and put their trust in the Lord". David is praising God in front of many people. They are watching him and hearing him worship. And, in turn the same security that David found in God, they, too would find that security and join David in worship. David's joy before the Lord was his witness.

We gather at church to worship together. To connect with others as the body of Christ to praise God- to give Him glory. As we are expressing ourselves, others around us see that. They see you worshiping, and, in turn, they begin to worship. You can even say that your worshiping is also witnessing to others.

Be an active worshipper! Express your love for God and let others see that expression.

In Christ's Love,
Rob