There is a part of me that wants what I write on here to be what people will find interesting and relevant, but then I am reminded it is not necessarily about people, but my willing heart to connect with God… sometimes in awkwardly divine ways! (That is how He made… awkwardly divine!) Ha!
Here’s the question I have been asking myself for the last few weeks or maybe even longer…
What does worship really mean and how does it look to me?
Do you have an answer for that? I’m sure everyone’s answer is different… just like each of us… different!
Many think of music or church when they think of worship… which that can be a way of worship, but worship doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with either of those things.
I know that some of my sweetest times of worship are when I embrace the good things Father God has placed in me. I have creativity in me that I know has come from above… I love to create! I see things a little different (in case you have not caught on to that yet!).
The other night a bunch of ladies and myself had what I call “To-Gather” night where we made greeting cards. Through the laughs, music, food, stories, tears and friendships growing and being created… I found it to be a worshipful experience. Here are some of our creations:
I recently came across the story behind Matt Redman’s song, “Heart of Worship”… yes it is an oldie but a goodie! In the late 1990s, the pastor at Redman’s church sensed that their worship gatherings were going flat spiritually, that the congregation was going through the motions, and worship wasn’t flowing from the heart like true Christian worship must. So the pastor did a pretty brave thing. He decided to get rid of the sound system and band for a season, and they gathered together with just their voices. His point was that they’d lost their way in worship, and the way to get back to the heart would be to strip everything away. And from this experience is where this song sprang forth!
I believe, for me… every moment of every day can be spent worshiping God! You might think that sounds radical and unrealistic! And I know I don’t come close to that in my life, but that is my heart’s desire.
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:13
So what do you think would happen if your church turned off the lights, unplugged the sound system, quieted the instruments?
Do you ever feel like the “experience” is more of what people are searching for rather than just purely worshiping God… mind, soul and body? God is right here… He is not a feeling or an experience… He is God!
It is something that I have definitely been checking my heart about. I just don’t want to get caught up in the “hoopla”!
What if instead of going to church to worship, we go worshiping to church! Setting ourselves up to be filled with God's awareness before we ever go through the church door! How would that change you and those around you?
You know God doesn’t need for us to worship Him. He has given us life, breath and all things… that should be enough that we get to worship Him!
Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things… for in Him we live and move and have our being, ~ Acts 17:25 & 28a
Worship!!! It is all about worship! Worship is a very personal thing, but it is not a totally private thing though… my actions and my attitude will lead myself and others to Christ through a pure heart of worship!
It is not about pretending everything is hunky-dory! God knows it’s not… He knows our struggles! But it is just sacrificially giving every part of your being to the Lord in spite of your struggles! I know that may not be a great description, but it is not something I can describe… it has to be… just be!
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ~ John 4:23-24
Let it be a moment to moment decision… I will worship Father God! All I know is He gives me what no one else can give me in my soul!
In His Grace, Carin
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