Called to Worship

What is worship? Webster's dictionary defines worship as "1 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power also, an act of expressing such reverence. 2 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual. 3 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem." Both the Hebrew (saha) and Greek (proskuneo) words translated "worship" throughout the Bible mean to bow or fall down (think prostrate, face to the ground). We sometimes refer to our Sunday morning church services as "worship," or the person who leads the singing as a "worship" leader. But is that all there is to it? We worship on Sunday mornings or in our small groups or maybe in our cars as we sing (well or badly-- God doesn't care) along to the local Christian radio station, and that's it? Worship consists of "spiritual" things: songs, maybe prayer, sitting silently during the sermon, or getting dressed in your best, right?

The concept of worship has been swirling around in my head quite a bit the last few days. If worship is something that pours from us because of our reverence for God or in response to our devotion to Him, the Psalms are wonderful expressions. "I will praise you as long as I live" (Psalm 63:4), and "Sing to God, sing in praise of his name!" (Psalm 68:4). Sounds like worship, doesn't it? But, if worship is the act of falling on my face before One much greater than I, of humbling myself and recognizing that outside of the grace of God I am nothing, of giving over all He has given me in service to Him, perhaps worship is more than singing.

1 Chronicles 16:29 says,

"Give to the Lord the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come before Him.

Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!"

Giving God the glory that is due Him -- worship -- is described as bringing Him an offering, coming into His presence, and showing our adoration through the beauty of holiness. Obviously, there is no longer a need to make offerings and sacrifices at the temple, but what offerings can we bring? Sure, there's the collection plate, "taking an offering," but that's precisely where it got its name: offering whatever God has given us in this world right back to Him in worship. Like time. We serve at church or help out at a shelter (human or animal); we pick up trash, phone someone who's been sick, or take the time to send them a card. Giving time is worship. What about our jobs? Are we driving to work each day thinking of how we can give back to God at our job? Are we encouraging the folks who work with us? Are we conscious of our testimony through our work ethic? For those raising children, are we planting eternal seeds in the hearts and minds of our children? And I'm not talking about some legalistic "being Christ to the masses" type of thing; I'm talking about being in Christ as we go about our day. That is worship. Longing to give whatever we have back to Him in worship, whether it's time, talents, money, speech, song, encouragement, prayer... And our presence! Let's not forget the last two portions of the verse: coming before Him and worshiping in the beauty of holiness. 

Going throughout our day as though we are in the very presence of God, acknowledging the myriad ways He blesses us all day long: meals, water, friends, sunshine; talking to Him and about Him, being conscious of His Spirit with us. And doing it all "in the beauty of holiness." Set apart, so unlike others that we are radiant; having a beautiful uniqueness about us that we resemble the perfect love and goodness of our Heavenly Father. Now that's worship!

How is God calling you to worship today?