There
was a time when I would have said that worship was something I did on Sunday
mornings. To worship, I thought, meant to “go to church;” to sing hymns,
participate in the liturgy, and listen to pastor’s sermon. It is most
certainly true that this is worship. But, it is only one kind of worship.
Romans 12:1 describes a worship
that takes place every minute of every day. God’s Word says to me: . . .
In view of God’s mercy . . . offer your body as living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
So, what does worship mean to me?
It means living my life in such a way that brings glory to God. If I truly
believe that God had great mercy on me – a poor, miserable sinner, and that
Jesus Christ sacrificed His life because of my sins, then I have the
opportunity to live like a new person! I have the opportunity to respond to
God’s great love in a way that pleases Him. That should not only be on
Sunday during congregational worship, it should be on every day of the week
and in every situation. The choices I make, the work I do, the way I serve
others, the attitude I have – all of these common, every day thoughts and
actions are either worship of God… or worship of self.
It is far too easy to worship
self. I do this every time I insist on my own way, or put my needs before
others, or whine, or pout, or feel sorry for myself. But, to worship God,
my Creator and Redeemer, means to let the Holy Spirit who lives in me alter
my thinking, choices, and behavior. Here are three examples:
A senior in college becomes
pregnant. The father of the baby wants to marry her. They love each other,
but the timing is all wrong; after all, she has plans for a career, travel,
and the joys of marriage for awhile without children. Her dreams are
shattered. But, in view of God’s mercy, this young woman has the
opportunity to sacrifice personal desires for the very life of another. Her
choice to adjust plans in order to welcome a precious new life is her
spiritual act of worship. Such selfless acts are pleasing to God.
A grandfather – the patriarch of
his family – is plagued with one physical challenge after another. He had
wanted to be the strong one for his wife and family but, instead, he is the
one who needs constant care and medical attention. But, in view of God’s
mercy, this grandfather has the opportunity to sacrifice personal dreams
for “life after 80” and, instead, adjust his attitude. Rather than wasting
his time by complaining, he chooses to sharpen his wit and laugh in the
midst of diversity. He becomes an encourager of others and a man who turns
the attention of friends and family toward running the race marked out for
them (Hebrews 12:1). This is his spiritual act of worship.
Since childhood, the young man had
wanted to become a physician. Between the university and med school, he
took “time out” to serve his country in the military as a medic. On a
routine mission, something went terribly wrong and the young man’s life was
forever changed. The young man endured a series of operations intended to
restore the use of his hands, but it was the Holy Spirit who performed the
miracle. In view of God’s mercy, the young man had the opportunity
to sacrifice personal goals and, instead, travel a different path. He
entered seminary, married, and became a father. Several years later, he and
his family became missionaries. His spiritual act of worship made
the difference in the lives of countless men, women, and children who might
never have known Jesus Christ without him.
Our everyday lives are filled with
opportunities to worship God. At work, we have the choice to give the best
we have to offer… or to “just get by.” In the neighborhood, we have the
choice to engage ourselves in serving others… or remain unengaged and
self-focused. At a party, on a date, or at a football game, we have the
choice to please God… or please ourselves. In view of His great mercy,
everything we think, say, and do should be holy and pleasing to God.
How do I know what is pleasing to
God? God’s Word in Romans 12:2 tells me. Do not conform any longer to
the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good,
pleasing, and perfect will.
What does worship mean to me? The
Holy Spirit has patiently been working with me to open my eyes. I now see
opportunities to worship with every attitude, every tone of voice, every
treatment of others, every behavior. Do I worship well? No, I am still a
poor, miserable sinner. But, because of God’s great mercy, I am a forgiven
sinner. Because of what Jesus Christ did for me, each new day is an
opportunity to start over again – to hear the whisper of the Spirit, and to
live differently than the world around me. Because of Jesus, I have the
ability to make choices that are holy and pleasing to God.
My prayer is that I will worship
on Sunday with thanksgiving and praise for what God has done. Then, during
my Monday through Saturday worship, my prayer is that I will live in
response to that great mercy!
Linda Bartlett
2/7/06
