Living on Purpose – The mystery and beauty of worship
By Bill Holland
I realize it’s awkward to worship someone we cannot see, but that is the point of living by faith.
The Christian life is all about having a passionate desire to be with Jesus in the secret place of our hearts, and as we draw nearer to Him, He will open the eyes of our spirits so that we can see and know Him more personally.
These lines and precepts of spiritual levels expose the vast difference between living a default religious existence and becoming a remnant disciple of our Lord and Savior.
God is calling us today to spend more time with Him and fall in love with Him so deeply that nothing in this world can interfere with this bond of holy intimacy. Is this what you want today? Do you long to be loved with the most fervent affection in heaven and Earth?
If this is what you are seeking, then you have found the meaning of life as God can supply your every need!
However, there is one thing that can prevent you from becoming what Jesus died for you to be – your will.
Love is a choice and is measured by our thoughts and actions.
“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you” — Psalm 63:1-5.
Worship is a unique and widely misunderstood term that humans seem to avoid thinking about, yet it’s actually something we practice constantly.
Our fallen nature shrinks away from thinking about or openly praising God but boldly exalts the other idols in our life. It’s amazing how many people focus their attention on a special interest but would never consider worship as the simple act of personal adoration.
There is an old saying, “Everybody serves somebody,” and I believe we can conclude that whatever has captured our imagination receives our highest praise.
Of course, the human race comes fully equipped with this ability to be infatuated and controlled within the free-will of the conscience and is more than willing to bow down to whatever we love.
We deny that many times we have actually crowned ourselves as lord and king, which explains why human nature rarely considers the fact that idolatry has more to do with the one we see in the mirror than an outside influence or temptation.
The gospel summarizes the concept of worship as either going through life in the default mode of serving our own desires or making the decision to be spiritually reborn to serve and worship God. In short, we must be willing to change.
Let it be said that He will compel, but does not force anyone to worship Him; and according to His spiritual principles, the dark side also abides by the same law.
It’s true, you and I are constantly being influenced and choosing whom we will obey.
Together let us take a closer look at the definition of worship: “A homage or reverence paid to a thing or person; the acts, rites, or ceremonies of worship; adoration or devotion comparable to religious homage shown toward a person or principle (like the worship of wealth), honor, respect, veneration, reverence, esteem, exaltation, admiration, to extol, admire, glorify, magnify, and praise.” — The Oxford Dictionary, American Edition.
He draws us with His love, and we respond with gratitude and reverential awe.
To know Him is the purpose of living, to love Him is our most precious gift, and to worship Him is our greatest honor and privilege.
Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, God desires to fill you with His love and teach you everything you will need to know concerning the divine realities of His abundant life.
May you embrace God’s Word as a vital stepping stone in your pathway toward comprehending Him more intimately.
Heaven will be filled with the joys of worshiping our Lord and Redeemer and we can begin today. “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” — Psalm 95:6.
