I’m really not oblivious to the very real struggle that worship is.
I hope you never get the impression that just because I wrote a book (and you have no idea how funny that is) about worship that I must be one of those hyper-spiritual, extra-gifted-at-this-type-of-thing kind of people. To the contrary!
Beyond hearing many of you express your own frustrations with your worship life, I remember! I’ve been there! And frankly, I still fight to stay out of the slippery pit of status quo, it’s-just-what-we-do worship.
And that should be good news for you! Why? Because that means that I’m living proof that you can get out of that pit. I’m living proof of that the patience of God extends into our worship life.
His love never stops drawing us and compelling us. His patience and grace extend way into our seeking of Him and our worship of Him.
He longs for us to lift our eyes off of ourselves and all of the distractions (that range from important to worthless) and fix our eyes and heart on Him (Psalm 57:7). And when we finally stop and really look – take in all He wants to show us of Himself – we can’t help but humbly respond in worship.
But the enemy wants us to think one of many lies:
– God would never notice my worship. – It’s too much work. – My slight effort really is enough. – I should wait until I feel like it. – He already knows how I feel. – It’s really not a big deal anyway.
Either way, we decide we might as well settle for disconnected, halfhearted, routine worship – or give up all together. Well, that’s what the enemy is counting on!
Think about it – those arguments put the focus on me. And as long as I’m looking at me, I’m going to struggle.
I’m not saying to ignore the things in my life that will hinder my worship. Not at all. But remember,
“the kindness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)
and
“I, by Your great love, can come into Your house; in reverence I bow down
toward Your holy temple” (Psalm 5:7).
It’s His kindness and love that draw us into relationship with Him and ultimately to pure worship. It’s the same love that offered His son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, so that we might have access to Him by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). And the same love that gives us His Spirit so He can fill us with every spiritual blessing and guide us to His throne to worship.
The absolute power for worship is available the moment we turn our focus on Him. He’s the purpose. He’s the goal. He’s the only worthy recipient of our undivided attention – and the motivation to finally have a holy dissatisfaction with status quo worship!
Seeing Him makes us not want to give up just because it’s a battle – and not want to settle instead of vigorously pursuing. Seeing Him makes us want to respond with unbridled worship!
Yes, He commands us to worship Him.
“YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY” (Matthew 4:10).
But that command comes out of His unfathomable love for us.
It’s nothing like the terrorizing “Kneel before Zod!” command the Krypton super-villain gave to the fictional U.S. President and Superman. (Showing my age?) It’s the Creator lovingly and persistently drawing us so we might fulfill what He created us to do. Worship Him. It’s a breath-taking privilege far beyond a mere obligation.
So pursue Him – to intimately know and love Him. Pursue His guidance in your worship. Enter worship having prayed for a surrendered heart and mind focused purely on Him – and for strength to fight the enemy’s darts. It’s worth the fight. God understands the battle and His Spirit can empower you to conquer it.
If you’re at home, set an alarm if you need to be somewhere or do something so you’re not clock-watching and can singularly focus. Arm yourself with truth from His word about who He is and His call to worship Him. Do whatever it takes to have that vertical, intimate communion with the heart of God as you pour out your response to all He is in worship.
And even though worship is not about me at all, still
“He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
And the rewards of our God’s transforming presence and the greater glimpse of His glory are beyond compare.
Don’t settle. Join me in the battle. Let’s worship our incredible God!
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise” (Psalm 57:7).
Question: How do you relate to the struggle that we face as worshipers of God?
If you enjoyed this post, please SHARE it with others. (Share buttons are below.) I’d love to hear what you think, too!
SUBSCRIBE to my Worship and the Word blog so you don’t miss out on any new posts!
AND receive “4 Keys to Intimate Sunday Morning Worship” for FREE!
Worship Leader Magazine awarded Worship and the Word as a “Best of 2014” book!
Comments