True Worship

 I've a question for you and for me as well; When was the last time you truly worshiped the Lord? Many of us would point to the last time we attended a church service. For many believers, that may not amount to more than once or twice a month. Others will say that they see worship as a lifestyle, that they worship Him in their thoughts, words, and actions each day. That's a correct assessment, but then we're led to another, deeper question; What is it that constitutes true worship? Is it being moved by music, an anointed message? Is it being impacted by what we've seen, heard, or read? All of these can be a part of true worship, but all of them can be present, and yet we may not have truly worshiped Him.

In my prayer journal, I have written down what Henry Blackaby says are the elements of true worship. He says that true worship results in repentance, obedient submission, and a desire for holiness. We can experience all of what I outlined above and yet not really have worshiped Him at all. We can be impacted emotionally and mentally by all of it, yet we are not changed or transformed by any of it. To truly encounter Him, to truly worship Him will bring about inner change and transformation. The degree may differ in our encounters, but the constant is that we will not emerge from any time with Him as the same person we were before we came into His presence.

If we just look at what we call corporate worship, the gathering together of believers for the purported purpose of meeting Him in worship, how much of Blackaby's elements of worship are taking place? Repentance, submission, and holiness are not words frequently used in a lot of churches. We put a great deal of emphasis on the presentation, lighting, sound, visuals, and atmosphere. These are not wrong in themselves, but these alone will not confront a person in the depths of their need. Only a hunger for the Living God, as He is, not as we would wish Him to be, will effect the transformation that He seeks to bring in each and all of us. He is an Almighty and holy God. We're not going to encounter Him through props.

These are just some thoughts and questions that I have today, even more for myself than for you. I think we would do well to contemplate them. May we take these questions, and the elements of worship listed by Blackaby before Him, and ask Him if what we have been offering Him is really worship. Worship that is centered upon Him, not upon us.

Blessings,
Pastor O