What is the meaning of worship? According to Webster’s dictionary, worship means to honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power; to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion. It is also the act of expressing such reverence in the form of religious practice with its creed and ritual. An extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.
I’d like to challenge you to think about worship as a lifestyle and not something to be done only on Sunday mornings when the “church band” comes to the stage, or when your favorite football player scores the winning touchdown, or when your favorite celebrity wins an Oscar. Unfortunately, these are examples of what many people worship—celebrities, sports figures, money, and even fame. I’d like to introduce you to a lifestyle of worship.
In Old Testament days, the Israelites went to the temple to worship the Lord. Before a physical temple was built in Jerusalem, Moses was commissioned to set up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. Once Moses finished, the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. The children of Israel would travel when the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle and then rest when the cloud returned (Exodus 40:33-38).
King David’s desire was to build a physical place where God’s presence could rest; however, God chose David’s son, Solomon, to build this temple. Over 400 years after Moses was commissioned to set up the tabernacle, Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem where it stood for almost 400 years and was the center of worship to the Lord.
Going to a physical place to worship is part of the old covenant the Jewish people had with God. Believers now live under an even better covenant with God—carrying the temple of the Holy Spirit within them (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Lord lives and dwells in believers who have invited Him into their hearts. Acts 17:24 says, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” God no longer lives in a temple, tabernacle, or a building but in the hearts of believers. And believers carry the presence of the Lord wherever they go.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that worship is offering ourselves:
| “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1 NIV) |
The Apostle John tells us how to worship and it is not a suggestion:
“Worship must be in spirit and truth (John 4:24) [emphasis mine]
Worship is the way we show our love to God for who He is and what He has done for us. Knowing who God is should give us the desire to worship Him daily and live a lifestyle of worship—24/7, 365 days a year. Worship is praising God in song, prayer, and thanksgiving. It is giving God our full attention and adoration.
What has your attention and focus? I am not saying sports, entertainment, and money are bad; but do they have all of your attention? Do you worship and idolize sports figures and celebrities? Do they have your attention more than the Creator of the Universe? Is your focus on the next get-rich scheme and how to become a millionaire? Are you more interested in Ouija boards and tarot cards to tell you about your future rather than asking the Lord or seeing what the Bible says about your future? Would you rather be entertained by a horror movie and TV shows that add no value to your life and could possibly open the door to fear, anxiety, and lust? Or, would you rather read about the adventures of Moses, Joshua, and Joseph and see how their lives could positively impact yours?
Check your heart to see what has your attention and admiration, and if God isn’t in first place, make a change—it could be lifechanging.
Worship is not an event, day, or time. Worship is a lifestyle!
~Donna Jones