Over the last few weeks I have been troubled. Troubled by the ideas that some have presented me about the importance of worship. I find myself quick to agree with them because the most important thing in our life should be to honor and glorify God. Yet still I am troubled. But I am troubled because of the way worship is defined. Often people mean singing, music, prayer and some might include testimonies, scripture reading and preaching. And I agree that all of this should be done in and as a part of our worship, yet I find it still lacking.
Pastor Bruce
So here is where I have been brought to, here is where I find myself standing. Obedience must be the deepest definition of what we are to do to worship, honor, glorify God. Obedience would have us sing, play instruments, read the Bible, pray, testify, preach, etc... but also should include everything Jesus directed us to do. So if I set my focus on creating a "worship experience" I believe that I am missing the most important things. In a worship through obedience we find ourselves worshiping when we are the husbands and fathers we are instructed to be in the Bible. We find ourselves worshiping when we go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them all that Jesus commanded. We find ourselves worshiping when we help people in need. We find ourselves worshiping when we walk through life seeking to live with humility as we reflect the love and care of Jesus to this lost and dying world. When we embrace a belief that for true worship our obedience is required, then our outlook about what is important for worship changes.
I can worship God where ever, whenever, with or with out, because worship begins with how I respond to God with an attitude of thanksgiving.
So I will remind myself to put my feelings aside, realizing that the emotions will come and go, but my obedience is not negotiable and is to be worship.
As for you, study, ponder and pray and ask yourself this question "What is it that I need in order to worship God properly?" ... My answer was Obedience
