Life of Worship

The following is a response to questions raised regarding my last post:

It seems IF our lives are full of praise of God THEN the time we come together for communal worship would overflow with praise and joy and worship. Yet at the same time I believe we can foster an atmosphere in corporate worship that encourages a "worship experience." How do we as leaders help people go from "unsatisfied customers" to living worshippers? How do we counteract our consumer society so that it's not "all about me?" And what does God desire...require...inspire?

It is difficult to lead people to move beyond a consumer-oriented religion because our society shouts consumerism from the rooftops. However, it is unfortunate that many continue to listen. I believe it is a mistake to convince ourselves that worship is for the individual, at least in terms of its greater purpose. There must be some deeper meaning, some greater purpose which calls us to participate in a life of worship as God intended.

Furthermore, this view of worship should not be contingent on whether the preacher spoke well and was entertaining or the songs evoked some “worshipful” emotional response or even whether my prayers are answered in ways I would expect or desire. Worship is more than an experience, a time period, or a form of personal satisfaction. It is not just something we do, but it is who we are. Worship is life!

The Creator longs for us to be what we were created to be: “living worshippers.” He desires that we “delight in Him” (Psalm 37:4) and not in the world around us. God’s glory is reflected in and through us when we give God glory by seeking pleasure in this life only in Him. God invites us to be satisfied in Him:

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare” (Isaiah 55:1-2).

Life with God is so much more. Somehow, we must help people view worship beyond duty to desire! We must realize that relationship with God is more than obligation because of what he has done for us. It is an opportunity to participate in a life of worship with (and of) the one true God—our Creator, Savior, Redeemer and Sustainer.

As we recognize God for who He truly is, and who we are in Him, duty fades and desire reigns! Worship becomes our passion and no longer our obligation. Our sole desire is to worship and give glory to the God with whom we share relationship. The more we desire this life, the more we long to intimately know Him. As we live a life in worship to God, His passions and His desires become ours. Our hearts align with His and our worship manifests itself without walls.

If we must be consumers, at least this might be a better idea of ultimate customer satisfaction!