I was thinking about worship today—Weird since I’m a worship leader right?! Yeah, every once in a while I think about the topic instead of just singing it. The biblical principal that I was considering was that we are to have no other God’s before him. We Christians, if we have been believers for more than a day, probably are quite clear that Worship of God is the reason that we exist—The familiar Westminster Catechism: the chief end of man is to glorify God.
However, I think we do a funny thing. We think that we can demonstrate this “worshiping God first” idea in a list. My life consists of:
Family
Friends
Work
School
Grande Vanilla Mocha’s
Hobbies
Entertainment
Etc.
And then we insert “GOD!!!” in an exclaimed fashion at the top of the list and say, “Done! I have put God first.” Pure silliness really! That’s not how it works, come’ on. God doesn’t even want to be on the list. He is the list my friends! We should scribble out the list and right “JESUS” right over the entire thing in huge letters, right?
Remember the parables that Jesus taught? A man finds a Pearl and sells everything to buy it. A man finds a field with treasure and he sells everything and buys it. That’s worship! What you are willing to give up in order to gain something determines how much you value the thing you’re gaining.
We tend to think more in terms of spoken or asserted values and less in terms of demonstrated values. Since I say that God is the most important thing in my life it doesn’t matter that I sin my brains out and don’t do anything for the Kingdom of God. God is the most important thing to me and what I do doesn’t matter. Craziness!!!
Instead of Loving the Lord completely with no other God’s before him we think, I will love all my other God’s less. Friends, loving your idols less is not the idea. True worship is taking every aspect of your life—each item on that list—and letting God purge it unless it can be devoted to the Glory of God. That is worship! Everything for him! “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all for the Glory of God.” It is a challenge.
Here’s the thing to think about. What thing in your life (and mine) would you not give up in order to live for Jesus? Whatever that thing is or those things are, it is that which you actually worship most.
That is back breaking conviction in my life! That is why we need the Grace of Jesus Christ, is it not? Jesus modeled it first. He came and gave everything to purchase us to himself by the cross. It is only by having the power of his life in us that we stand a chance at surmounting the pull of the crazy amount of idols that vie for our worship. Hudson Taylor, the great missionary of the 1800’s in China, said, “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot loose.”
Anyway, that was my thought. Any thoughts?
Wow. You are reminding us to remember that the material things in life are just that, material. Expendable. The little things, the big things. Relationships. Are any of these things really worth more than what God gave up? No. The reality is that it’s hard to think of giving up my child for anything or anyone. I couldn’t do it. It boggles my mind to think of what God gave up for us, for our sins yet to come. Everything I have is because of God. Good or bad. I make myself find joy in 5 things every day. To remind me that God has never left my side. He’s on duty 24/7. Am I? No, but I try to do my best. Good reminder. Thanks.
I love it!
I’ve spoken with many Christians who quote Matthew 22:36-40 as “…love the Lord your God with all your heart…AND love your neighbor as yourself” They then use the AND for all kinds of excuses of busyness and pleasing the world all the while missing the worship of God.
They completely miss that Jesus says loving him with all your heart mind and soul is the GREATEST command. The 2nd command, love your neighbor, is similar, but NOT THE SAME. Just because you may be doing the 2nd doesn’t mean you’re good on the first. In fact, doing the 2nd is pointless unless you’re actively involved in the 1st.
Hey Shellie, thanks for the comment. You said it! “It boggles my mind to think of what God gave up for us, for our sins yet to come.” This is what motivates us turn every item on that list into God worship: Raising our kids for Jesus, being intentional in our jobs to put God on display in our attitudes and actions, enjoying life to the glory of God as we sip our Latte, right? Your question, “He’s on duty 24/7. Am I?” That’s a great question. Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Bob! What’s up my friend?! Thanks for the contribution. What’s up with our hang out? Are you guys going to take me up on my invite and come over some time? Come over this Tuesday night… how is that for you guys?
Bob said, “…all kinds of excuses of busyness and pleasing the world all the while missing the worship of God.”
Totally bro! It’s so easy to get caught up in getting busy with life (the list) that we forget that we are on God’s Mission (The Missio Dei).
When we follow God’s plan, our worship produces that life of mission.
so… this thought changed my week – and i am sure the way i see life! thanks for writing how God speaks to you.