When I stand before something majestically grand, I can’t help but feel a sense of awe tugging at my soul. In that place, I understand why worship has been a sacred part of humanity for thousands of years. And while this is a reverent topic, it’s something I feel like we often either overcomplicate or compartmentalize. I wanted to better understand worship, and I invite you, wherever you are, to take a journey with me here deeper into this topic. 

What is worship?

Looking into this word, I found that worship is….

→Relational

→Personal and communal

→Spiritual and physical

→Sacrificial

It involves….

→Heart allegiance

→Honoring what is supreme

→Service to what is sacred

→Connection to something greater than ourselves

To me, worship is so much more than music, a church service, emotions, or feelings; and, it’s not confined to a place. To me, worship is giving glory and praise to something or someone we see as sacred or supreme, by willingly and adoringly offering ourselves in service and sacrifice to that which we worship. 

What do you worship?

What is supreme in your life? Your answer may reveal what you worship. We will likely give our hearts to something (or someone) that we hold in value above all else. And our lives–and way of living–will follow. This may point towards who or what we are worshipping, even if we don’t realize it.

→How we live may reveal who or what we worship. 

→The way we make choices may reveal who or what we worship. 

→The way we respond to challenges and move through trials may reveal who or what we worship.

What motivates you to worship?

Dive into this question: Why do you worship?

For me, understanding what I have been given–the rich mercy poured on me–is what drives me towards worship. I know I have nothing apart from God. For me, to fully grasp this truth and live in the gratitude produced by it is to be able to truly worship.

How do we worship?

To me, worship involves giving something to someone–giving honor, reverence, time, attention, and even our life. I think of the things that we may give ourselves to, willingly or unwillingly. For me, when the act of giving myself in worship happens willingly, through love and a deep reverence for the One I see as magnificent and supreme, something powerful happens-a soul-singing praise that emanates from the deepest part of myself. 

For me, because of what I know God has done for me, it is reasonable, logical, rational, and incredibly freeing to give myself as a sacrifice to God. I know that He wants all of me. All of my life–my time, my gifts, my connection and relationship with others, my heart and my soul, to be used for His purposes and the good of others. 

And finally, for me, understanding how I worship comes through a renewal of my mind. This takes an ongoing renovation in my pattern of thinking, my perspective, my mindset. Having a mind that is becoming more aware of the love and mercy of God allows me to truly worship him with what I have.

Where is your heart going in worship?

With men, I can see that our hearts and lives are often pulled towards:

→our job

→our spouse

→our hobbies

→our families

→ourselves

While we can be pulled towards good things, there can be a subtle shift from valuing something to worshipping it; from “important” to “supreme”. Our choices, mindset, time, service, and patterns can reveal what is ultimate to us. And, in my perspective, any drift away from worshipping the one God from which all things are given and exist, towards worshipping something else, is distorted and dangerous, both to ourselves and others. 

To me, it all matters. In view of God’s mercy towards us, our whole selves–mind, body, soul, and spirit–should be given to Him. There is no area of our lives untouched by His mercy; and so there should be no area that remains separate from our worship of Him. 

Truly worshipping Him is truly living. I see no other version of life that will fulfill us or bring more delight than giving our hearts–all of who we are–to our Creator as an offering for what He has done for us. 

At the end of the day, I want to please God. I know He wants all of me, and I know He wants all of you. What will you give? 

To summarize, worship that is given willingly through a surrendered life, 24/7, done in love, coming from the heart, motivated by gratitude, fueled by adoration, encompassing the whole self, and honoring the Supreme Creator is, in my understanding, is true worship and is what is most pleasing to God.

Moving Forward

→Where is your heart going today and what do you find yourself worshipping?

Questions or comments: gerberxc@gmail.com

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And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1

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