Is This Worship?
Posted by Karita on Monday, 9 June, 2008
I had lots of thoughts to write about today, but you know what? It’s too hot. I’m sticky and I have a banging headache… so if none of the following makes sense then I beg your leniency.
That book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, really got me thinking. Actually, the thoughts were already there, the book just brought them to the surface. We in the West are in such a position of privilege, we can worship whichever deity we wish, in whatever way we wish. Christians are free to worship the Lord God and to tell His Good News. And how do we use this freedom? We bicker amongst ourselves about music styles, length of sermons and church services, ways of telling people about God’s Son… I have even been to a church that bickered about chairs.
Is any of this stuff actually important? Does it matter if we sing hymns or modern songs? Does it matter if we have a band or an organ? Not really. What matters is that when we worship God in a church service we do it with our whole selves, heart, mind and soul. Because how we worship God in church is a reflection of how we worship Him in life. Singing songs is not the be-all and end-all of worship, it’s just part of it. Worship means giving God His worth, giving Him what He is due. And what is God worth, what does God deserve from us? Nothing less than our whole lives.
It strikes me that all this in-fighting about music is just a distraction. We get so caught up in arguing about things that don’t matter that we forget what does matter. Our church services should be where we all come together in hope, to sing our praises to God, to pray for His world and to discover more about His truth. The fact that we serve a loving God, who is alive today should shine from our faces, so that other people can’t help but be drawn in, so that people can see Jesus through us.
We need to stop bickering and start worshiping, with our whole lives – that way, there may be a chance that God can work through us.
Joel said
I actually wrote about a similar topic on my blog this morning. I wrote more about the definition of true worship but you wrote about turning away from the things that distract us from true worship. Our entries are somewhat complementary!
I’m glad to see that there are others out there who realize that worship is not just about the music and songs and instruments. Worship is a lifestyle. I will admit that it’s much easier to nod and say, “Yes, worship is a lifestyle. We need to live for God every second of our lives,” than it is to actually do it, but at least the realization is there.
I liked this entry. God bless.
White Rabbit said
i think the “freedom” may actually be part of the problem!
It’s easier to bicker about these things than to undergo the task of actually being the Church. i can’t wait for the day when we bicker about how to spend the offering on ministry to meet the needs of people, and which people, because there are so many needs! Should we spend money on developing a Christian rehab or battered women’s shelter!!!
And who cares about the color of the carpet, because we don’t have money for such insignificant things!
The Razzler said
So, because we have freedom, we do not have enough urgency. Therefore, do we need to lose our freedom (and wealth)? Or is there a way to solve the problem without that?
Joel said
We argue about trivial things because of our environment(s).
People in America are living in leisure and freedom. The same is true for people in Canada, England, Germany, etc. If you can read this blog post, your life isn’t that bad. Take a visit down to a church in the slums of Mexico or the mountains of Peru. You’ll find that the Christians there are quite different from the Christians here: they actually worship God.
Why don’t we worship God? Because we’re too busy worshiping other things. Yep, even you and me. Why do we argue about music styles? Because we idolize our own musical preferences. Why do we argue about the lengths of sermons and services? Because we idolize our time or because we idolize our opinions (depending on which side you’re on). Why do we argue about methods of evangelism? Because we idolize our own ideas and thoughts rather than seeking the ruling that Scripture has on evangelism.
We argue about trivial things because those trivial things have taken priority and importance over God. There is another reason for why we argue over trivial things but I don’t want to open a can of worms in a comment. The subject is quite touchy for some.
Joel said
That first line should read:
We argue about trivial things because of our environment(s) and because of our idolatry.
White Rabbit said
i think there is another way. Those who want real worship and real church need to make those who don’t very uncomfortable by gathering groups of authentic followers and living out the gospel and compelling the congregation to do the same. When someone starts bickering over petty, non-essential issues, we need people to stand up and confront it for what it is.
The other problem with freedom is that we give it to others too liberally. We give them the freedom to bicker about ridiculous issues because we believe they are entitled to that freedom. We need to start confronting, in love, but firm and truthful.
virtualnexus said
Good post on a complex issue….guess you’ve heard the seven last words of a dying church, though – ‘It’s never been done like this before’ ?
The Razzler said
White Rabbit: Pretty much what I thought. Although it can be difficult to do.
Joel: Absolutely spot on. One thing to recognise it in yourself though, quite a different kettle of fish helping others to realise it as well, and then to work together to combat it.
Can of worms, I wouldn’t worry about that here! Controversy is welcome!
The Razzler said
VN: Hahaha! See all above comments.
Joel said
In that case, I’ll be sure not to restrain myself next time a controversial topic enters my head! Haha.
@ White Rabbit: You are absolutely correct! So many “christians” today allow the truth to be twisted in the name of love, as if unity and peace was more important than truth. I guess they missed Matthew 10:34 where Jesus says, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” The sword of truth!
William Webster said, “The promotion of unity at the expense of truth is satanic; it is demonic; it is not true unity. It is not the unity of the Holy Spirit for He is the Spirit of Truth … and the bond of peace is given to those who have a common foundation of truth. Truth by its very nature divides. Where you have appeal to unity at the expense of truth, all you can produce is uniformity.”
The Razzler said
Ooh, well said!