Worshipers

Worshipers

The time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. –John 4:23-24

Ever since we got Hope’s diagnosis, singing in corporate worship has never been the same for me. The music often moves me emotionally, and the exquisite beauty of the truth contained in lyrics often touches me at my core and leaves me unable to sing or speak. When we truly worship, our minds are engaged with the truth and beauty of God, and our emotions are open to being moved.

Sometimes the words have been difficult because they speak of a truth I want to believe, a faith I want to own, a commitment I want to make, but they seem beyond me in my questions or despair. While in the past I may have sung with mindless ease, I now feel ill-equipped at times to offer the passion and commitment expressed in these lyrics. To sing, “I sing for joy at the work of your hands, forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand,” gets me. To declare my delight in everything God has done, to commit not to simply obey him, but also to love him forever, costs me something. And yet I don’t want to just go through the motions without meaning what I am saying. I want to love him. I want to worship.

So what do we do when we simply don’t have the want-to for worship? Do we just ignore our feelings and go through the motions? Our feelings matter to God, so we need to pray that God will restore our passion and reveal his truth. With every step we take in God’s direction, he moves to meet us, and he begins to melt our hearts and bring meaning to the motions. Will you take that step toward him in worship, even when the cost seems great and your passion seems cold? When the pressure is on, when the pain is great, when you’re pushed to the edge of your endurance, worship is the release you need, the relief you need, the rescue you need.

Father, as you seek true worshipers, how I want you to find one in me. I want to love you sincerely and passionately, even though my mind is sometimes confused and my heart is sometimes cold. Fill me with your Spirit; reveal to me your truth so I can be a true worshiper.

DIGGING DEEPER