Day: March 16, 2016

It may seem odd to talk about worship as a discipline, but it is important we differentiate from the way we typically use the word. We use worship as a word to describe things that it is not. So, let’s define worship. What is it?

Worship is not necessarily religious, but it is anything that consumes your attentions and affections. So, the purpose of Christian worship is to direct those attentions and affections toward Him.

Psalm 95:6 says, “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!”

Sometimes we can more clearly see what something is once we’ve ruled out what it is not:

• Worship is not music. There’s nothing sacred about a guitar played in a certain way, or a note sung from the pages of a hymnal. Music can be worshipful, but the same song that is worshipful in one context may not be in another simply because worship is not in the music itself.
• Worship is not a service. It’s common vernacular to say we’re going to a worship service, and while it’s possible that worship takes place in that timeslot at that location, just because it’s on the sign does not mean it’s worship. You can worship in a crowd, or you can worship all alone.
• Worship is not a style. A churchy feel, a reverent atmosphere, and all the necessary bits of an aesthetic that make you feel like you’re in a worship environment may lead the person to a place of worship, but it does not guarantee that worship takes place.

Worship is a spiritual act of service, a response, a sacrifice, an outpouring
So, this means that a Christian can worship anywhere and at all times, you don’t have to wait for the perfect storm. Worship is not external; it emerges from the internal.

Let’s see this dramatically portrayed in King Davids life from 2 Samuel 6:14–15.

Worship is Passionate – “And David danced before the Lord with all his might.”

Worship is Unashamed – “And David was wearing a linen ephod.”

Worship is Focused – “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord…”

Worship is Celebration – “With shouting and with the sound of the horn.”

So what do we do…

• Be intentional – you can worship anywhere, so don’t let yourself be distracted or require anything other than your own appreciation and thankfulness for who God is.
• Prioritize opportunities – make gathering with other believers a priority, don’t miss out and come with expectation.
• Prepare -when you know you will have an opportunity to worship, Ask God to prepare your heart. Confess your sins, check your attitude and come into the opportunity with the hope that you will encounter God.

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