Weekly Thought February 27, 2024
Fred grew up as a – PK (preacher’s kid) which often sent mixed messages about the church. One thing sustained him – the reality of worship. The greatness of God and his awe for the Father never diminished.
Qualities of Worship
What do you think about worship? Here are some of mine through the years.
1) Quiet creates an atmosphere of reverence. Some of my deepest experiences of worship have come in empty churches. Whether it was downtown Chicago, the mountains of Colorado, rural Mexico, or Europe I have gone into churches alone just to sit and worship God quietly. One night in Colorado I stood outside with nothing but starlight illumination. Out loud I asked “How big is God?”
2) In worship we establish a proper position to God. The poem “Invictus” is not my creed. I am NOT the master of my fate; I am not the captain of my soul. God is my Father, Christ is my Savior – He is my Lord. In prayer we position ourselves in humility. It is interesting to me that I have never found a place in scripture where we are told to pray for humility – we are commanded to humble ourselves – We position ourselves in gratitude in worship… not only for the things we have received but for the many unknowing times of protection. We understand our position by faith. And we position ourselves in submission. “I am the vine; you are the branches” Jesus tells us.
3) In worship I evaluate myself. The worshipper’s view of life is the ultimate perspective – revealing and reversing our earthly take. The ultimate challenges us to consider the warning on the car’s side mirror: images in this mirror are larger and closer than they appear. Our eternal position is actually nearer and way larger than we imagine it to be. To live with an eternal perspective alters our priorities.
I think that possibly our children and our grandchildren are one ultimate way we evaluate ourselves. Last night, one of our granddaughters and her friend were at the house about midnight baking cookies (a glass of milk, a dozen cookies, and a granddaughter is about as good as life gets). And I said to her, “Ultimately my life will be evaluated more by our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren than by any other factor of my life.”
4) In worship we lose ourselves. I think “turn ourselves loose” is a better way of putting it. While walking on the gulf beach and studying a shell I picked up I was caught up in the awe and wonder of God. I was briefly distracted by a man who struck up a casual conversation. It quickly moved from “how are you?” to “who are you?” and it became competitive. I lost my focus for when I was looking at the shell and the ocean and thinking of God I turned loose of everything but worship. When my “Type A friend” came by jockeying for position I turned my focus back onto myself… a loss. In true worship I am “lost in the majesty of God.”
Worship is recognizing who He is and who I am in Christ. Worship is the natural response of my heart to a right relationship with myself, with Him, and with others.
This week carefully consider: 1) Where do I experience true worship? 2) What causes me to stop in wonder and awe? 3) How can I pause this week to truly worship?
Words of Wisdom: “Quiet creates an atmosphere of reverence.”
Wisdom from the Word: “The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD,” (Genesis 24:26 NET Bible)