The Offering

The Offering

From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.

Zephaniah 3:10

IN WORD The ultimate goal of creation, the purpose for which God designed the world and the human race, is worship. In making people in His own image, breathing life into us, going to extraordinary lengths to redeem us from our horrible, self-inflicted condition, and calling us into intimacy with Him, God has laid the foundation for an eternal Kingdom that rallies around one overriding purpose: adoring Him. We were all made for worship.

We’re on the receiving end of adoration as well, so this is no one-sided relationship. God has loved us passionately; that’s why our worship is so important to Him. He loves to be loved, and because we’re made in His image, we love to be loved too. We crave close communion with Him, desiring to be fully embraced by the One who knows every detail of our lives and loves us anyway.

God desires this close communion too. He doesn’t just tolerate us and “love” us because He’s obligated to do so. He actually enjoys loving us—emotionally, enthusiastically. He didn’t create the human race only to achieve minimal fulfillment from us, like an ill-matched couple whose love has come to feel compulsory over time. No, His design includes deep satisfaction and unrestrained joy—both for Him and for us. And in the end, that fulfillment will be realized on a global scale.

IN DEED Whether God is calling His people into His Kingdom from the far reaches of the ancient Middle East, as in Zephaniah’s day, or from every corner of the planet today, His purpose is to be worshiped. His desire is to pour out love on us extravagantly, and to have our love returned to Him extravagantly. We already know He has lived up to His end of the relationship. He invites us to live up to ours.

To love God is the greatest of virtues; to be loved by God is the greatest of blessings.

—PORTUGUESE PROVERB