When we think of worship, our minds often jump to Sunday mornings, church buildings, and structured services. But what if worship was meant to be so much more? What if it could permeate every aspect of our lives, transforming the mundane into the sacred?
The concept of worship extends far beyond the walls of any church or the confines of a weekly service. It’s a way of life, a constant awareness of God’s presence, and a continual response to that presence with love, gratitude, and obedience.
To understand worship more deeply, let’s take a journey back in time to the Temple in Jerusalem. This massive structure, visible from all parts of the city, served as a physical representation of worship for the ancient Israelites. Its design was intentional, with various courts bringing people closer and closer to the altar where God’s presence was believed to dwell.
However, when Jesus died on the cross, something extraordinary happened. The Gospel of Matthew tells us that the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple was torn in two. This powerful symbol signified that access to God was no longer restricted. The hierarchy of who could approach God and how close they could get was abolished.
This historical event carries a profound message for us today: God’s presence is not confined to a specific location or time. We can encounter God anywhere, at any moment. This realization revolutionizes our understanding of worship.
So, if worship isn’t defined by location or specific elements of a service, what is it? At its core, worship is our response to God’s presence in our lives. It’s an openness of heart that allows God’s grace to flow freely. It’s a “holy expectancy” that God is present and active in every situation we face.
This broader understanding of worship aligns perfectly with Jesus’ response when asked about the greatest commandment. He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” Worship, then, becomes one of the primary ways we express that all-encompassing love for God.
But here’s the catch – true worship isn’t just about singing songs or attending services. It’s about how we live our lives. It’s reflected in how we treat others, especially those Jesus referred to as “the least of these.” It’s evident in how we approach our daily tasks and interactions.
Consider the story of Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite monk. In his book “Practice the Presence of God,” he describes how we can experience God’s presence in the kitchen as easily as in the chapel. This is the essence of experiencing God in our daily lives – recognizing that if God is always present, then God is present in even the most mundane tasks of our day.
So how do we cultivate this kind of all-encompassing worship? It starts with a shift in mindset. We need to move beyond seeing worship as a weekly event and start recognizing it as an everyday experience of God’s presence. It’s about developing a “holy expectancy” – looking for God in every moment and greeting His presence with awe, joy, and thankfulness.
As we develop this awareness in our daily lives, it naturally enhances our experience of corporate worship. When we come together as the Body of Christ, expecting to hear from God, we’re more likely to do so. Our connection to God throughout the week deepens the meaning of our shared worship experiences.
But let’s be honest – there will be days when we don’t feel like worshiping. We might want to stay in bed rather than go to church, or we might find it hard to see God in a particularly challenging situation. It’s in these moments that the discipline of worship becomes crucial. Just like any other spiritual discipline, sometimes we need to choose worship even when we don’t feel like it.
There’s a humorous story about a pastor who didn’t want to get up for church one Sunday morning. His wife reminded him that he had to go – after all, he was the pastor! While this story might make us chuckle, it illustrates an important point. Sometimes, the days we least feel like worshiping are the days we most need to engage in worship.
As we embrace worship as a way of life rather than just a Sunday morning activity, we begin to see profound changes. We start to notice God’s presence in places we never expected – in nature, in our workplaces, in our relationships, and even in our struggles. We develop a deeper sense of gratitude and a heightened awareness of God’s constant presence and love.
This all-encompassing approach to worship also impacts how we interact with others. When we’re constantly aware of God’s presence, it changes how we treat people. We begin to see others as bearers of God’s image, worthy of respect and love, regardless of their status or how they treat us.
In the end, worship isn’t about our preferences or emotions. It’s not about the style of music or the eloquence of the sermon. It’s about intentionally drawing near to God, whether we’re in a sanctuary or stuck in traffic. It’s about recognizing God’s presence in the extraordinary and the ordinary moments of our lives and responding with love and obedience.
As we go through this week, let’s challenge ourselves to develop this “holy expectancy” of God’s presence. Let’s look for ways to worship in the kitchen and in the sanctuary, in our joys and in our sorrows. Let’s commit to the spiritual practice of worship, even on the days when it’s a struggle.
Because here’s the beautiful truth: when we make this commitment, we often discover that God has been with us all along. We just needed to open our eyes to see Him.
