What is the true meaning of worship?
I asked myself this question while listening to some lovely worship songs including one by the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu. I was almost in tears listening to her and her twin sister sing in such deep and powerful worship.I have wondered all through this past week about people within churches or other religious spaces, who hide their fears and pain behind worship? Was the depth of this late singer's worship a reflection of the pain she was in or did it just take her away from the fear of the reality she was living? I don't know but I can't help but wonder sadly.
"God
is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
John
4:24 NIV
Worship is so much more than the songs we sing or listen to. It is a place we go to in our spirit where there is no hiding from God. This is because we appear right before Him, in all the truth of our creation - perfection, just as Adam and Eve were before they disobeyed God and sin entered the world.
This means there is a possibility of not worshipping God the right way, or why else would Jesus feel the need to educate us on how we are to worship? The bible says all scripture is God-breathed and useful for a number of things including teaching. His words are full of the spirit and life.(ref John 6:63)
When what we have with God is a loving relationship, not one borne out of fear (a spirit God said clearly in His word that He has not given to us); duty or obligation to a professed religion (wanting to appear to have done what we say we conform to); our worship then becomes an intimate act of devotion.
It becomes a love language, a lifestyle, our mode of thinking and our whole expression.
It reflects on our daily living because the spirit, soul and body become one in this act.
Fear
and worship can never be a good mix because it shows a lack of confidence in
God and somehow, fear always finds a way to the fore. A life of worship to God is a life of power, one that comes with a clear
understanding of God's will and purpose. I say this from a place of knowledge,
as someone who has had a season of living in fear.
I have said this a few times on here that we
are not created to live in fear. Yes, life may have it's many unknowns and come
with many uncertainties but we shouldn't be afraid of them. We must boldly face
them and not cower in terror and say we are hiding under the shadow of
the Almighty. Yes, that is a perfect place to hide and counter whatever is bringing terror into our lives. We must have the courage to face whatever or whoever it is that is
allowing fear creep into our lives.
If it is a person that is allowing fear into our lives, they are working outside the will of God and we must not condone their actions, either with silence or by not allowing for consequences or accountability.
The
advice in the bible verse above, encouraging us to live in peace is doable, we just have to be intentional about it and allow God help us through it.
My own little advice to go with this thought I'm sharing today is for us to pause and check that our worship is right. The hands raised up to God and the face streaming with tears from our eyes must be a passionate expression of worship to God (spirit & truth) and not as a result of the sadness of living below par to what we know God has intended for us through His word.
Also, let's make certain that those hands we are raising in worship to God are clean and holy. It is quite common during worship for hands to go up as an expression of honour and love to God, almost like a reflex action. So please, they must not be the hands that have abused a spouse, partner or anyone!
We
all have the power to make a positive change in our lives. We can start by identifying what we are
doing wrong and then make a decision to stop and start making amends. This is the
message behind the death and resurrection of Christ that we celebrate everyday not just during Easter. Jesus paid the price, we are ALL bought by His precious blood
and salvation is free to anyone who chooses to believe in Him and make Him
their Lord and Saviour.
In summary and in the spirit of the truth behind the Easter message, be a good person and be kind to others. Kindness on its own is an act of worship to God.
Love & Light
Ige
"The
Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the
stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalms
27:1 NIV
If it is a person that is allowing fear into our lives, they are working outside the will of God and we must not condone their actions, either with silence or by not allowing for consequences or accountability.
"Finally,
brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one
another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be
with you."
2
Corinthians 13:11 NIV
My own little advice to go with this thought I'm sharing today is for us to pause and check that our worship is right. The hands raised up to God and the face streaming with tears from our eyes must be a passionate expression of worship to God (spirit & truth) and not as a result of the sadness of living below par to what we know God has intended for us through His word.
Also, let's make certain that those hands we are raising in worship to God are clean and holy. It is quite common during worship for hands to go up as an expression of honour and love to God, almost like a reflex action. So please, they must not be the hands that have abused a spouse, partner or anyone!
"Who
shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He
who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is
false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
Psalm
24:3-5 ESV
In summary and in the spirit of the truth behind the Easter message, be a good person and be kind to others. Kindness on its own is an act of worship to God.
Love & Light
Ige