Worship Is…
This past week we began a series of teachings on “Worship”.
One of my dearest friends, and fellow Lead Worshipper Cheryl Vought, taught us “What worship is and what it isn’t.” Here are some snippets from our gathering:
It’s an often misunderstood topic as many people would describe “Worship” as a song, an activity that happens on Sunday morning when the Worship Leader sings, or something that’s private and dignified.
Everybody worships. It’s true, but what is worship and what does it look like?
“Worship is an outward expression of an inward connection.”
Cheryl had three solid points:
1. Worship is about what I give — it’s about a connection to the OBJECT of my worship!! It’s my job to connect — I must make the first move!
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you,brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2. Worship is a conversation that I must start:
Psalm 62:5-7 5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God[a]; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Without a connection there’s no conversation!
3. I must adjust my focus from ME to HIM! How do I do this? I start with the character of God! Tell Him who He is in first person!
Francis Chan has asked this question; “How would my worship change if the object of my worship were standing right in front of me?”
Challenged with this question I began to write down who God is to me in first person…my page looked something like this:
“You are so AMAZING, so patient with me God! You are so creative and thoughtful — so generous to give so freely to me! You are so loving and so forgiving over and over and over you forgive me! You give such grace to me — grace that I don’t deserve but You give it still….” and it continued…
and before I knew it the entire page was filled with the personal attributes of God!
Just start here: “God, You are______!” and fill in the blank. This is how you start the conversation of worship with the Creator of the Universe!
Now the fun begins! You’ve just declared the worth-ship to The One that you worship!
Say outloud what you’ve written and then listen to what He says to you in response! Remember, this is a conversation! He’s ALWAYS talking…it’s usually us that’s not listening!
Zephaniah 3:17 17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
John 10:14 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
John 10:27 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Isaiah 28:23 23 Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.
Again I put pen to page and I began to write down what I “heard” or felt in my heart…I didn’t over think it or analyze it, I just began to write and it looked something like this:
“I AM your strong tower Lori — you can run to Me and pour out your heart — I AM safe. I know that you’re frustrated with what you perceive to be slow — but I am not slow in keeping My Word to you…stay fixed on Me…transfixed even — on Me…STEADY your heart…” and it continued…
and again, before I knew it, an entire page of personal encourgement and direct exhortation from The Father had filled the page!
I want to invite you to give this a try…start a conversation with God! Everybody’s conversations will be different…but each one will begin when you take a chance and focus yourself on HIM…tune your spiritual ears into His frequency…you’ll be amazed!
Write it down, you’ll be glad you did! 🙂
Most Joyfully,
Lori 🙂
The next session in our series on “Worship is a Lifestyle” is “Worship as Warfare” and will be taught by fellow Lead Worshipper Julie Appleyard. Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 7 -8:30…childcare is available.
Crossroads Church South Campus 5207 Weddington Road Weddington, NC 28104